Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

The Agri-Food Sector Immigration Pilot Program is designed to meet the workforce needs of Canada’s agri-food sector. This program provides permanent residency to non-seasonal, experienced workers in specific occupations and industries. it is available until May 2023.

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries are a major contributor to Canada’s economic vitality and growth, supporting one in eight jobs in the country In 2019, the agricultural export sector set a new record, reaching $67 billion

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Project will accept applications from May 15, 2020 until May 14, 2023.

How to send an application to participate in the Agri-food Immigration Pilot?

Applicants who meet the above eligibility and program requirements may apply for permanent residency at IRCC.

Please note that IRCC requires that applicants have both qualified work experience in Canada and a qualified job offer. If these two requirements are not met, the application for permanent residency will be rejected.

IRCC also requires applicants to submit a complete set of documents according to the “Agricultural and Food Pilot Immigrant Project Instructions” and an application form to be completed by the principal applicant and employer. Applicants must provide proof that they have met all the requirements of the program.

Who is eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?

To be eligible for the Agri-Food Pilot Program, foreign workers and their candidates must meet the following requirements

Have qualified work experience in Canada.

Have worked for at least one year (at least 12 months or at least 1,560 full-time hours) within the last three years prior to application.
Unseasonable - This means that you have been in a regular paid job for one year or 12 months.
In one or more suitable occupations in suitable industries.
Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and supported by at least 12 months of LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment).

Qualified positions must be filled in the

In an appropriate occupation or industry

Full-time and permanent - means working for pay at least 30 hours per week, with no fixed end date for the work being offered.
Nonseasonal - means permanent and regular paid work for one year or 12 months.
Salary equal to or greater than the prevailing wage for the occupation offered in the state/territory in which you are employed (or national if state/territory rates are not available).

Language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Scores from an approved language exam (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, etc.) must be submitted.
These results must not have been older than two years at the time of application.

If you have a foreign secondary school diploma or higher, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility Report (CAR) from an approved professional body or organization.

This report must not be more than five years old at the time of application.
The original report must have been issued after the date of appointment by the professional body or authority.

Settlement Funds

Unless you are already working in Canada, you must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (and your family) after your arrival in Canada. Note: The amount varies depending on the number of family members, and that amount is updated annually.

What is the processing time for permanent residence applications submitted through the Agrifood Immigration Pilot?

This program has just started accepting applications on May 15, 2020, and the deadline for applying for permanent residency in this category has not yet been announced on the Canadian government website.

Finally, Canada has launched a pilot agri-food immigration project in hopes of addressing labor shortages in the agricultural sector and meeting the country’s export goals. This program will allow more workers to plan for long-term settlement in Canada, rather than a temporary stay with little hope of permanent residence.

Contact Legacy Immigration Services Today!

If you would like to learn more about the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program, please contact Legacy Immigration Services today. We use the IRCC approved portal to ensure that you do not miss any communication with IRCC at any stage of the process.

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot