Canada Agri-Food Pilot: Two New Changes for Family Members and Work Experience

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  • August 20, 2023

The Canada Agri-Food Pilot is a temporary immigration program that aims to attract skilled workers to Canada’s agri-food sector. The program is open to foreign nationals who have at least one year of work experience in one of the eligible occupations.

Two new changes to the Canada Agri-Food Pilot will come into effect on August 18, 2023:

  • Family members can now apply for open work permits: Previously, only the principal applicant in the Agri-Food Pilot could apply for a work permit. Now, the family members of the principal applicant, including spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, can also apply for open work permits. This means that they can work in any job in Canada, regardless of the occupation.
  • Union reference letters will be accepted as proof of work experience: Previously, the only way to prove work experience in the Agri-Food Pilot was to provide an employer reference letter. Now, union reference letters will also be accepted. This is a welcome change for many workers, as it can be difficult to obtain an employer reference letter, especially if they have changed jobs frequently.

The Canada Agri-Food Pilot is a great way to immigrate to Canada if you have skills in the agri-food sector. The new changes to the program make it even more attractive for family members and workers who want to immigrate to Canada.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Agri-Food Pilot:

Individuals residing within or outside Canada can apply for permanent residency under the Agri-Food Pilot if they fulfill the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 1 year (at least 1,560 hours within 52 weeks) of cumulative, non-seasonal, full-time experience within the past 3 years in one or more of the eligible Agri-Food occupations and industries. This experience must have been acquired under an LMIA-based work permit for a minimum duration of 12 months.
  • A full-time, permanent, non-seasonal job offer in an eligible occupation within the listed Agri-Food industries.
  • Education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
  • Adequate settlement funds to support oneself and any accompanying family members (even if they are not traveling to Canada). This requirement applies to those currently holding a work permit as well.
  • Valid temporary resident status if already present in Canada.
  • Attainment of the minimum required scores in specified language proficiency tests for reading, writing, listening, and speaking:

Canada Agri-Food Pilot:

 

Eligible Occupations Under Agri-Food Pilot:

For Meat Product Manufacturing (NAICS 3116):

  • Butchers – Retail and Wholesale (NOC 63201)
  • Meat Cutters and Fishmongers – Retail and Wholesale (NOC 65202)
  • Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers, and Related Workers (NOC 94141)
  • Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors (NOC 82030)
  • Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators (NOC 84120)
  • Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
  • Labourers in Food and Beverage Processing (NOC 95106)

For Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production, Including Mushroom Production (NAICS 1114):

  • Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors (NOC 82030)
  • Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators (NOC 84120)
  • Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
  • Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101)

For Animal Production, Excluding Aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129):

  • Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors (NOC 82030)
  • Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators (NOC 84120)
  • Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
  • Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101)

If you are interested in applying for the Canada Agri-Food Pilot, you can learn more about the program and the eligibility requirements by calling us at 1-800-419-3232 or emailing us at inquiry@winnyimmigration.com.

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