Canada Agri-Food Pilot 2026 — Status + Successor Programs
The Canada Agri-Food Pilot (launched 2020) created the first dedicated PR pathway for non-seasonal agri-food workers — meat processors, greenhouse workers, livestock workers. Its final extension ran through May 2025; IRCC is transitioning to a permanent stream covering the same population. This page summarizes the pilot framework + current transition.
What the Agri-Food Pilot did
It created a PR pathway for non-seasonal agri-food workers in three industries:
- Meat product manufacturing — NAICS 3116
- Greenhouse, nursery + floriculture production — NAICS 1114
- Animal production (livestock raising) — NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1129
Eligible NOC codes
- 94141 (formerly 9462) — Industrial butchers + meat cutters, poultry preparers + related workers
- 63201 (formerly 6331) — Butchers + meat cutters, retail + wholesale
- 95106 (formerly 9617) — Labourers in food + beverage processing
- 85101 (formerly 8611) — Harvesting labourers
- 85100 (formerly 8431) — General farm workers
- 82030 (formerly 8252) — Agricultural service contractors + farm supervisors + specialized livestock workers
Eligibility (worker side)
- Canadian work experience: 12+ months full-time (1,560 hours+) of non-seasonal Canadian work in eligible NOC + industry within past 3 years
- Job offer: Full-time, non-seasonal, year-round offer in eligible NOC outside Quebec
- Language: CLB 4 in English or French
- Education: Canadian high school diploma OR ECA-validated foreign equivalent
- Proof of funds: based on family size
- Intent to settle outside Quebec
How most agri-food workers got to Canada first
Most Agri-Food Pilot applicants arrived initially via:
- LMIA-based work permit (employer obtained LMIA, worker applied for closed WP)
- Worked 12+ months in eligible NOC + industry
- Then applied for PR under Agri-Food Pilot
Total time: ~2-3 years from initial work permit to PR.
The 2025-2026 transition to permanent stream
As of mid-2026, IRCC is transitioning the Agri-Food Pilot to a permanent program. Expected continuity of:
- Same eligible NOC codes + industries
- Same language threshold (CLB 4)
- Same Canadian work experience requirement
- Possibly expanded annual cap
Halani tracks the transition; check our news/blog or contact us for the latest status.
Alternative pathways for agri-food workers
Express Entry FSW or CEC
For workers who can achieve CLB 7+ (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5+ (TEER 2/3) language scores. Many Industrial Butchers (94141) qualify for Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) at CLB 5/4 minimums.
Provincial Nominee Programs
- SINP Saskatchewan — agri-food + farm operator pathways
- MPNP Manitoba — Strategic Recruitment Initiatives for agri-food
- AAIP Alberta — Rural Renewal + general streams
- OINP Ontario — Agriculture priority within Employer Job Offer
- BC PNP — Skills Immigration for qualifying agri-food roles
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
11 designated rural communities may have agri-food worker priorities. See RCIP page.
Common Agri-Food Pilot mistakes
- Counting seasonal work toward the 12-month requirement — only non-seasonal counts
- Wrong NOC code — meat processing NOCs are very specific; misclassification = refusal
- Inadequate Canadian work experience documentation — need pay stubs, T4s, Records of Employment, employer letters
- Confusing temporary SAWP work with non-seasonal Agri-Food eligibility
FAQ
Is the Agri-Food Pilot still open in 2026?
The original Agri-Food Pilot (launched 2020) had a final extension through May 2025. IRCC is transitioning to a permanent stream covering the same agri-food worker population — the new stream's exact launch date + parameters were under development as of mid-2026. Halani tracks the transition; contact us for current status.
Which NOC codes were eligible under Agri-Food Pilot?
Industrial butchers + meat cutters (94141 / former 9462), retail butchers (63201 / former 6331), food processing labourers (95106 / former 9617), harvesting labourers (85101 / former 8611), general farm workers (85100 / former 8431). Industries: meat processing, mushroom production, greenhouse/nursery, livestock raising.
What were the eligibility requirements?
12+ months of full-time non-seasonal Canadian work experience in eligible NOC + industry; CLB 4 language; high school diploma or ECA equivalent; full-time non-seasonal job offer outside Quebec; proof of funds.
Can agri-food workers use other PR pathways?
Yes — Express Entry FSW (if CLB 7+ achievable), PNP streams (many provinces have agri-food specific pathways like SINP, AAIP, MPNP), LMIA-based work permit + apply for PR through provincial routes. Many agri-food workers transition through PGWP after Canadian agriculture college study.
What's the difference vs the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)?
SAWP is a temporary worker program (NOT a PR pathway) — workers come for seasonal agricultural work for up to 8 months annually, return home, and can re-enter for subsequent seasons. Agri-Food Pilot was a PR pathway for non-seasonal year-round agri-food workers.
Agri-Food worker — map your PR pathway
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) handles Agri-Food Pilot + successor stream + PNP agri-food pathways. Free 15-min review.
Free Agri-Food PR Review →