21 MAY 2020 by Konan Immigration Law Firm
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino announced on May 15th, 2020 that applications are now being allowed for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot.
What is the Agri-Food Pilot?
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is designed to address the labour needs of Canadian companies in the livestock-raising, meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production industries. The launch of the Pilot was intended in March of 2019. The program was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Agri-Food Pilot provides temporary foreign workers (TFWs) with agri-food work experience with an option to apply for Canada permanent residence. Canada will accept 2,750 principal candidates along with their family members annually following 3 years under the Pilot. Applications are being allowed from now until 14 May 2023, according to an IRCC media release.
The Pilot doesn’t incorporate the province of Quebec, which has its specific immigration system. However, Quebec companies who hire non-seasonal temporary immigrant workers can profit from the two-year (L.M.I.A) Labour Market Impact Assessment that is an element of the pilot, as long as the worker’s National Occupational Classification (N.O.C) code is suitable. Then they can apply for a permanent residency selection from Quebec by the Quebec Experience Program (P.E.Q).
List of Eligible Occupations and Industries:
Meat product manufacturing:
- Retail butchers
- Food processing laborers
- Industrial butchers
- Farm supervisors and specific livestock workers
Greenhouse, floriculture production, and nursery, including mushroom production:
- Harvesting laborers.
- General farm workers
- Farm supervisors and specific livestock workers
Greenhouse, floriculture production, and nursery, including mushroom production:
- General farm workers
- Farm supervisors and specific livestock workers
