Canada Agri-Food Pilot Program To Approve 1,010 New Applications In 2025

The Canada Agri-Food Pilot Program has been essential for skilled agri-food employees to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has declared significant modifications to the scheme’s application acceptance for 2025.

The scheme will approve a decreased limit of 1,010 requests, a marked reduction from the 2,750 requests approved in 2024.

Below is everything you need to know about the scheme, its qualification conditions, and how to apply.

Major Changes For 2025

Instantly impactful, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada have capped the number of requests for the 2025 Agri-Food Pilot at 1,010.

These requests must be presented by May 14, 2025, or until the quota is acquired. Which one comes first?

These changes underline the restricted time and prospects for interested candidates to get a position in the program.

The Agri-Food Pilot, developed under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, is a short-term economic immigration plan that cannot be extended beyond its maximum five-year period.

The Pilot expires on May 14, 2025, so this will be the last year for requests. Since its development in 2020, the Agri-Food Pilot has significantly contributed to addressing labor depletion in the agricultural and food processing industries.

Over the past years, more than 4,500 agri-food employees and their relatives have successfully changed to permanent residency.

As of November 2024, almost 1,775 employees and their households were welcomed via the program in 2024 alone.

Application Classifications And Presentation Formats

For the 2025 cycle, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will approve requests via two different classifications:

• Online requests: The maximum number of requests will be processed online. These facilitated procedures ensure a quicker presentation and checks.
• Optional formats: For people who cannot apply online, an additional 10 requests will be approved in optional structures. Candidates must ensure that their presentations match the optional formats.

Qualification Measures

The Agri-Food Pilot is formed for skilled and proficient employees in qualified sectors.

To be eligible for permanent residency under this program, candidates are required to satisfy the following measures:

Employment Skill:

• Candidates must have a minimum of 12 months of cumulative, non-seasonal, full-time employment skills within the last 36 months.
• This skill is required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment-based work permit in one or more qualified agri-food professions.

Academic Certifications:

• Candidates must hold a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent international certificate confirmed via an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Language Skill:

• Minimum language skill of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 or equivalent in French or English.

Settlement Finances:

• Candidates must indicate enough settlement finances to sponsor themselves and their relatives in Canada unless they are already employed in Canada under an authentic work permit.

Approved Evidence Of Work Skill

To authenticate their employment skill, candidates are required to offer approved documentation, which includes:

• Employer Reference Letter: Information on employment duties and duration.
• Union Reference letter: Relevant only for unionized roles.
• Employment letter: Evidence of job status.
• T4 Statements: Tax documentation from Canadian bosses.
• Paystubs: Proof of consistent incomes and hours operated.

Qualified Professions And Sectors

The Agri-Food Pilot mainly targets professions within chosen sectors. Below are the eligible industries and their related National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

Meat Product Production (NAICS 3116):

• Laborers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106)
• Livestock labourers (NOC 85100)
• Specialized livestock operators and farm machinery workers (NOC 84120)
• Farm supervisors and agricultural service contractors (NOC 82030)
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters (NOC 94141)
• Meat cutters and fishmongers (NOC 65202)
• Retail and wholesale butchers (NOC 63201)

Nursery, Greenhouse, And Floriculture Manufacturing (NAICS 1114):

• Harvesting workers (NOC 85101)
• Farm supervisors and agricultural service contractors (NOC 82030)
• Livestock workers (NOC 85100)
• Specialized livestock laborers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)

Animal Production (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1129):

• Harvesting workers (NOC 8510)
• Farm supervisors and agricultural service contractors (NOC 82030)
• Livestock workers (NOC 85100)
• Specialized livestock employees and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)

How To Apply

 If you satisfy all the qualification measures, observe these stages to make an application for permanent residency via the Agri-Food Pilot:

• Check the application manual: Go to the official IRCC webpage to download the explicit request guide for the Agri-Food Pilot. The manual offers extensive directions and relevant forms.
• Get your documents ready: Gather all needed documents, including evidence of job skill, academic certificates, language examination results, and settlement finances (if relevant).
• Present your application: 

1. Present your request online if you fall below the electronic presentation class.
2. If making an application via alternate formats, ensure adherence to IRCC policies.

• Track your request: Use the IRCC portal to check the status of your request and respond promptly to any additional details you may need.

The Canada Agri-Food Pilot has been crucial in addressing labor shortages in critical industries while providing experienced employees with a route to permanent residency.

As the program enters its last year, interested candidates must act quickly to satisfy the decreased limit of 1,010 applications for 2025.

Ensure you check all qualification measures and get your application meticulously to boost your prospects of success.