What is the Agri-Food Pilot?

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is a federal PR pathway for foreign workers in specific agriculture and food-processing occupations who have qualifying Canadian work experience. Targets sector-specific labour shortages in meat processing, mushroom production, greenhouse / nursery / floriculture, and livestock raising.

Eligible NOCs (representative — check current list)

• NOC 63201 — Butchers, retail and wholesale
• NOC 65200 — Food and beverage servers (limited)
• NOC 65201 — Food counter attendants (limited)
• NOC 82030 — Agricultural service contractors
• NOC 84120 — Specialized livestock workers
• NOC 85100 — Livestock labourers
• NOC 85101 — Harvesting labourers
• NOC 94141 — Industrial butchers / meat cutters / poultry preparers
• NOC 95106 — Labourers in food processing

Eligibility

Typical criteria:

• 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work experience in an eligible NOC (under a valid work permit)
• High school education or Canadian-equivalent (assessed via ECA)
• Language proficiency (CLB 4 across all four abilities)
• Settlement funds (unless currently employed in Canada)
• Genuine job offer from a Canadian employer in an eligible NOC (for some streams)

Annual cap

The pilot has a relatively low annual cap (recently around 2,750 PR applications per year, with intake capped). Acceptance is competitive — apply early in the intake window.

Current status

The Agri-Food Pilot has been a time-limited pilot since 2020. Federal government has periodically reviewed and may either make permanent, modify, or end the program. Always check IRCC's current published status before relying on it.

Halani's note

The Agri-Food Pilot is one of the few federal PR pathways specifically for lower-TEER occupations. Strong fit for Filipino butchers, South Asian meat cutters / poultry workers, and other agriculture-sector applicants with Canadian work experience.