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Agri-Food Pilot Program Canada: Pathway to Permanent Residence for Agri-Food Workers (Updated 2025)
Canada's Agri-Food Pilot Program, which ran until May 2025, provided a direct route to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in key agri-food industries addressing labor shortages. Although the program has closed to new applications, understanding its structure can guide you toward alternatives like Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) or temporary foreign worker extensions.
The Agri-Food Pilot helped fill gaps in the Canadian agri-food sector by offering PR to workers in eligible occupations. Key requirements included 12 months of full-time experience, a valid job offer, CLB 4 language proficiency, and settlement funds. Managed by IRCC, it targeted non-seasonal roles outside major cities.
Key Benefits of the Agri-Food Pilot Program
- Direct Pathway to Permanent Residence: Achieve PR without Express Entry pools.
- Include Family Members: Bring spouses and dependents for family reunification.
- Work Outside Major Cities: Focus on rural communities with labor demands.
- Specific Agri-Food Occupations: Tailored for in-demand roles like NOC 84120.
- Post-Closure Alternatives: Transition to PNPs for similar benefits
Eligible Industries for Agri-Food Pilot Canada
- The program covered 4 industries: meat processing (NAICS 3116), etc.
- Meat processing
- Mushroom production
- Greenhouse production
- Livestock raising
4 Industries
Eligible sectors
NOC 84120
NOC 85100
NOC 94141
NOC 85101
NOC 94142
NOC 85103
Gain Experience
Secure 12 months in eligible NOC with a valid work permit.
Meet Requirements
Achieve CLB 4, education equivalent, and funds.
Submit Application
Apply via IRCC portal with docs.
Get Decision
Processing ~6-12 months; post-closure, pivot to alternatives.
Our Agri-Food Success Stories
Helped a meat processor secure PR pre-closure; now guiding to PNPs.
Agri-Food Expertise
Specialized knowledge of agri-food sector requirements and eligible occupations.
Rural Community Focus
Understanding of rural community needs and settlement outside major cities.
Fast Processing
Streamlined approach to minimize processing times and maximize success rates.
High Success Rate
95% success rate with agri-food pilot applications.
End-to-End Support
Complete support from eligibility assessment to permanent residence.
Family Inclusion
Expert guidance on including family members in your application.