The Agri-Food Pilot aims to fill labor shortages in meat processing, mushroom production and help meet Canada's export targets.
The goal is to help the agri-food sector bring in full-time, non-seasonal foreign workers needed to fill growing labor shortages. This new pilot project aims to attract and retain workers by offering them the opportunity to become permanent residents after an initial two-year period on a temporary work permit, rather than having to renew their work permits repeatedly.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program began accepting applications in May 2020 and recently the Canadian government announced that it will extend the program until May 14, 2025.
A maximum of 2,750 principal applicants plus their family members will be admitted for processing each year.
Foreign workers:
Who can apply to Canada's agri-food immigration pilot program?
In order to apply to Canada's agri-food immigration pilot program, foreign workers must meet the following requirements:
Have qualifying work experience
Have a qualified job offer
Meet or exceed minimum language requirements
Meet or exceed educational requirements
Demonstrate that they have sufficient money to establish themselves in the community
Have maintained a valid temporary residence permit.
1 - Qualifying work experience
You must have at least one year of Canadian work experience (at least 1,560 hours in the last three years). This Canadian work experience must be
Non-seasonal;
In an eligible occupation within an eligible industry; and
Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (must have been supported by an LMIA with a minimum duration of 12 months).
On May 8, 2023, Canada announced that it would accept work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers, thus giving more workers the opportunity to apply.
Eligible Industries
Eligible industries for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program include
Meat products manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 or 1129).
Industries are classified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Eligible Occupations
Eligible jobs for the pilot are classified by National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
For meat products manufacturing (NAICS 3116), eligible jobs are.
NOC 63201 - Butchers - retail and wholesale
NOC 65202 - Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale
NOC 94141 - Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and allied trades workers
NOC 82030 - Farm Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors
NOC 84120 - Skilled Livestock and Farm Machinery Operators
NOC 85100 - Livestock Laborers
NOC 95106 - Food and Beverage Processing Laborers
For greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114), eligible jobs are.
NOC 82030 - Farm Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors
NOC 84120 - Skilled Farmers and Farm Machinery Operators
NOC 85100 - Livestock Laborers
NOC 85101 - Harvest Laborers
For animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129), eligible jobs are as follows.
NOC 82030 - Farm Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors
NOC 84120 - Skilled Farmers and Farm Machinery Operators
NOC 85100 - Livestock Laborers
NOC 85101 - Harvest Laborers
2 - Admissible job offer
You must have a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer. This job offer must
Be in an eligible occupation in an eligible industry;
Be full-time, non-seasonal and permanent;
For unionized positions, the wage must be determined by the applicable collective agreement;
For non-union positions, the wage must be at or above the prevailing Labour Exchange wage for the occupation of your job offer in the province of employment (or nationally if a provincial rate is not available); and
Be in Canada but outside the province of Quebec.
3 - Minimum language requirements
Must score at least Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) on an approved language test in English or French.
4 - Minimum educational requirements
Minimum level of education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma (or higher). Education completed outside of Canada must be supported by a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
5 - Requisito de fondos para el asentamiento
5 - Settlement Funds Requirement
You must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your family members when you settle in Canada. Persons already working in Canada with a valid work permit are NOT required to demonstrate that they have funds. If you are not already working in Canada, the settlement funds requirement is as follows:
Number of family members Funds required (in CAD).
Number of family members Funds required
1 (single applicant) $13.757
2 $17,127
3 $21,055
4 $25,564
5 $28,994
6 $32,700
7 $36,407
For each additional family member, add. $3.706
How to apply for Canada's agri-food immigration pilot program?
If you meet the program requirements listed above, you can submit your application for permanent residence directly to IRCC.
To do so, you will need to prepare a detailed application using the application guide and forms available on the official Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program website. You will need to provide documentary evidence that you meet all program requirements.
Once you have completed the application, you will need to send it in hard copy by mail to the address indicated on the above website.
Why did Canada create the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program?
With permanent resident status, foreign workers will have access to more social programs that they help pay for with their taxes, such as Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan. With the agri-food immigration pilot project, more workers will be able to plan for long-term settlement in Canada, rather than a temporary stay with little or no hope of permanent settlement.
The pilot project is a collaboration between Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/05/agri-food-pilot-begins-accepting-applications-may-15.html
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