CANADA PILOT FOOD IMMIGRATION PROGRAM, 2022
The Canada Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program is for foreign nationals who wish to work in Canada’s agri-food industry. Agriculture is a mainstay in every economy, including Canada’s, and in order to sustain the industry and address labor shortages in the industry, a new immigration program has been introduced by the Canadian government that will allow foreign workers interested in the agri-food industry are specialized, industry an easy way to permanent residence.
The pilot program is designed to meet the labor needs of Canadian employers in the mushroom, meat processing, greenhouse production and livestock sectors. Foreign workers or temporary visa holders already residing in Canada and working in these fields can become permanent residents of Canada under the new immigration program.
The Canadian Department of Immigration (IRCC) will accept up to 2,750 primary applicants and their family members annually for the next three years as part of the immigration program. Applications are welcome from now until May 14, 2023, according to a press release from the IRCC.
What is Canada Food Immigration Pilot?
The Farm Food Immigration Pilot Program is an industry-specific immigration program aimed at attracting foreign workers interested in the agri-food industry and intending Canadian PR. The aim of the program is to attract workers to work in the agri-food industry in order to provide them with permanent residency.
Pilot industries and occupations for agri-food immigration
Not every industry or profession in the agri-food sector is eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program, there are specially selected industries and professions that participate in this program.
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Eligible Industries
Industries eligible for the agri-food immigration pilot program are classified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Eligible industries within the framework of the pilot project are:
- Manufacture of Meat Products (NAICS 3116)
- Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
- Animal production, excluding aquaculture
- Animal Husbandry and Animal Husbandry (NAICS 1121)
- Pig and Pig Farming (NAICS 1122)
- Poultry and Egg Production (NAICS 1123)
- Sheep and Goat Husbandry (NAICS 1124)
- other animal production (NAICS 1129).
Eligible Professions
Pilot occupations for food immigration to agriculture are classified by the national classification of occupations. The professions under the program with their NOC codes are
For Meat Products Manufacturing (NAICS 3116), eligible jobs are:
- NOC B 6331 – Retail Butcher Shop
- NOC C 9462 – Industrial Butcher Shop
- NOC B 8252 – Farm Managers and Skilled Workers in Animal Husbandry
- NOC D 9617 – Food Processing Workers
For greenhouse, nursery and ornamental production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114), eligible jobs are:
- NOC B 8252 – Farm Managers and Skilled Workers in Animal Husbandry
- NOC C 8431 – General Agricultural Workers
- NOC D 8611 – Harvesters
For greenhouse, nursery and ornamental production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114), eligible jobs are:
- NOC B 8252 – Farm Managers and Skilled Workers in Animal Husbandry
- NOC C 8431 – General Agricultural Workers
- NOC D 8611 – Harvesters
For livestock production other than aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129), eligible jobs are:
- NOC B 8252 – Farm Managers and Skilled Workers in Animal Husbandry
- NOC C 8431 – General Agricultural Workers
Annual caps apply to each occupation eligible for the pilot agri-food immigration program and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. You can submit your application in January of each year.
| LEGAL PROFESSION | NUMBER OF ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS PER YEAR |
| Plant manager or animal keeper (NOC B 8252) | 50 |
| Industrial Butcher (NOC C 9462) or Retail Butcher (NOC B 6331) | 1470 |
| Food processing workers (NOC D 9617) | 730 |
| General Agricultural Worker (NOC C 8431) | 200 |
| Harvest Hands (NOC D 8611) | 300 |
Agri-Food Immigration Application Fee
The application fee for the agri-food pilot program is $850. Learn more about the fee breakdown for principal applicants, accompanying spouses, and children at New Canada Immigration Fees.
If your application is rejected because the annual limit has been reached, your application fee will be refunded.
Pilot Requirements for Agricultural and Food Immigration
For an applicant to be eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- creditable work experience
- suitable job offer
- language requirements
- educational requirements
- Resolution Fund
Eligible Work Experience
To qualify for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, you must have one year of Canadian work experience in the past three years. The work experience must
- at least one year (1,560 hours) within the last three years
- a non-seasonal full-time job
- be a permanent job
- be an eligible profession in the NOC list
- through the foreign worker program.
Job offer
Before applying for the Farm Food Immigration Pilot, you must have a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible occupations.
- Your job offer must meet the following requirements:
- the job offer must be non-seasonal and full-time, d. H. You must work at least 30 hours each week
- the position must be permanent, i.e. it has no termination date
- it must be an eligible profession in the NOC list of eligible professions
- Your job offer must be outside of Quebec.
language requirements
You are expected to reach a certain level of Canadian Languages. Minimum language requirements are Canadian Language Benchmark (CBL) 4 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
You must submit your application within two weeks of receiving your language test result.
- educational requirements
- To qualify for the Food Immigration Pilot Program, you must have:
A Canadian high school diploma or
an educational qualifications assessment demonstrating that you hold an educational diploma equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. The proof of education must be checked within five years from the date of application.
Benchmark fund
You must also prove that you have enough money to settle in Canada and also prove that you have enough money to settle in Canada with family members traveling with you.
If you are already in Canada with a . work permit, you do not need to prove that you have enough funds to settle in Canada.
The table below shows the amount required for an applicant and their accompanying family members to settle in Canada.
| AMOUNT OF FAMILY MEMBERS | FUNDS NEEDED (IN CAD) |
| 1 individual applicant) | $ 12,960 |
| 2 | $ 16,135 |
| 3 | $ 19,836 |
| 4 | $ 24,083 |
| 5 | $ 27,315 |
| 6 | $ 30,806 |
| 7 | $ 34,299 |
| Add for each additional family member | $ 3,492 |
Eligibility for a pilot food immigration project
To qualify for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, the following minimum requirements must be met:
- have relevant work experience
- have a suitable job offer
- meet or pass the language requirements
- meet or pass the educational requirements
- Prove that you have sufficient funds to settle in Canada (if applicable)
- Have retained your temporary resident status (if already in Canada)
Agricultural food immigration pilot jobs
You must have a genuine job offer to be eligible for immigration food pilot and the position must be a permanent position with a Canadian employer.
The position must come from both suitable industries and suitable occupations in order for it to be a genuine offer. If the position does not meet the following requirements, it may not be a genuine offer.
- it must be an eligible offer listed in the NOC List of Eligible Professions
- it must be full-time, permanent and non-seasonal
- it must be outside of Quebec
Pilot application process for food immigration into agriculture
The following process will help you with your application for the Farm Food Immigration Pilot Scheme.
1. Fill out the application package
Before applying for permanent residency with the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, you must ensure that you meet the requirements for both the job offer and work experience. If you do not meet any of the requirements, your application for permanent residence will not be approved.
You can see both the vacancies and work experience requirements above.
2. Prepare for the application
Now that you have verified your eligibility for the program, you can gather your documents and prepare to submit your application. You can also read the guide to learn your eligibility, fee, and how to apply.
3. Have your photo and fingerprint taken
Applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must submit their biometrics. So if you fall into this age bracket, you must submit it to the IRCC website.
Even if you have already issued your biometrics and they are still valid, you must pay the fees and this must be done within 30 days to avoid delays.
4. Pay your dues online
After completing your application form, the next step is to pay your fees online.
You can check the details of how to pay your fees online at the IRCC website.
5. Submit your application
You can submit your application on the IRCC website after completing the application form and paying your fees online.
6. Your application will be processed
After submitting your application, it will be checked and processed by a clerk.
7. Submit your medical test result
Before you can live in Canada, you must pass a medical test. Therefore, you and your family members must submit medical test results to prove your medical condition.
- You will not be accepted if your health
- is a threat to Canada’s public health or safety
- would result in excessive demand for health or social services in Canada.
8. Your details will be verified
Make sure you provide valid and truthful information because if information is found to be f the following actions may be taken against you.
- Your application can be rejected
- They may be found inadmissible
- You can be barred from entering Canada for 5 years.
9. A decision will be made on your application
Your application can either be approved or rejected. The decision can be based on
- whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the program
- whether you are admitted to Canada based on the results of your
- medical examination
- background checks
If your application is rejected, you can apply again under the following conditions:
Complete and submit a new application
- meet the eligibility criteria
- found acceptable for Canada
- be accepted within the framework of the annual occupational ceilings.
- If your application is accepted, you must pay your fees if you have not:
- You will receive a confirmation email
- You will also receive a confirmation email
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
Permanent Resident Visa
Your COPR serves as your identity and includes both your name and photo. You must verify that every detail is correct.
Applying for a permanent residence card
Once you receive a confirmation email, you will need to apply for a PR card. This card replaces your COPR as a means of identification.
Processing time of the pilot project for agricultural and food immigration
There is no timeframe for processing permanent residency through the Farm Food Immigration Pilot, but the process can be completed in less than 12 months. So if you are eligible, you still need to prepare everything before submitting your application.
Once you have submitted your application, you will pay your fees online and collect all your documents and make sure they are ready.
You can be called at any time from the time the application is submitted. If your application is approved, you have less than 30 days to submit all your documents including your medical report.
Frequently Asked Questions About Farm Food Immigration Pilot
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Q. Who is eligible for the Agricultural Food Immigration Pilot Scheme?
A. Any candidate who meets the minimum qualifications and has a suitable job offer from an employer in one of the eligible occupations is eligible.
Q. How long will the food immigration pilot program last?
A. The Farm Food Immigration Pilot Program is a three-year program that began in May 2020 and will end in May 2023.
Q. How can I apply for the Agricultural and Food Immigration Pilot Program?
A. If you wish to apply for the Farm Food Immigration Pilot Scheme, you must verify that you meet the minimum requirements and obtain a job offer from an employer in the eligible industry and occupation. You must also have at least one year of Canadian work experience.
Q. Where can I work if I qualify for the Farm Food Immigration Pilot Scheme?
A. If you qualify for the Farm Food Immigration Pilot Program, you can work in any city except Quebec.
