The Agri-Food Pilot, a special immigration program for agriculture and food industry workers, is no longer accepting applications. The program reached its full capacity as of February 13, 2025.
But don’t worry! If you were planning to apply for permanent residence (PR) through this program, there are still other immigration options available for you.
What Was the Agri-Food Pilot?
The Agri-Food Pilot was a Canadian immigration program designed to help foreign workers in agriculture and food processing become permanent residents.
Who Was Eligible?
Workers in specific sectors, such as:
- Meat product manufacturing
- Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production (including mushroom farming)
- Animal production
The program was originally set to run for three years but was extended until May 14, 2025. However, due to high demand, it has now stopped accepting applications.
If you applied before February 13, 2025, your application will still be processed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What Are the Alternative PR Pathways?
If you missed the Agri-Food Pilot, here are other ways to apply for Canadian PR:
1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Each Canadian province has its own immigration program that allows them to select foreign workers based on local labor shortages.
- Some provinces have special PNP streams for agriculture and food processing workers.
- Example: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) includes agriculture as an in-demand occupation.
🔹 Good for: People with a job offer in a specific province.
2. Rural Community Immigration Pilot
This new immigration program is for foreign workers who receive job offers from employers in small towns and rural communities.
- 14 communities in Canada are participating.
- You need a job offer, work experience, education, and language proficiency.
🔹 Good for: Those who want to settle in smaller Canadian communities.
3. Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s main immigration system for skilled workers. It ranks applicants based on:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language skills
To qualify, you need to be eligible for one of these three programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – for those with Canadian work experience.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – for skilled workers outside Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – for trade workers.
💡 Did you know? In 2025, Express Entry will still include an Agriculture and Agri-Food category, but only butchers (NOC 63201) will be eligible for category-based draws.
🔹 Good for: Skilled workers with strong qualifications and work experience.
4. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
AIP helps foreign workers settle in Canada’s Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
To apply, you need:
- A job offer from a designated employer in one of these provinces.
- Work experience in a skilled or semi-skilled job.
- The job offer must be approved by the province.
🔹 Good for: Those who want to live in Canada’s East Coast region.
1. Can I still apply for the Agri-Food Pilot?
No, the program stopped accepting applications on February 13, 2025. If you applied before this date, your application is still valid.
2. What should I do if I missed the Agri-Food Pilot?
You can apply through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), Express Entry, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, or the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
3. Is there another program to replace the Agri-Food Pilot?
As of now, Canada has not announced a direct replacement. However, many agriculture workers can still apply through Express Entry or PNP programs.
4. I work in the agriculture sector, but I am not a butcher. Can I apply through Express Entry?
Yes, but you may need a high CRS score or French language proficiency to increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
5. Can I apply for PR if I work in a small rural area?
Yes! The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is specifically for workers with job offers in smaller Canadian towns.
Final Thoughts
If you missed the Agri-Food Pilot, don’t lose hope! There are many other immigration pathways available. The key is to find the right program that matches your job, work experience, and skills.
🚀 Need help choosing the best pathway for you? Contact Ask Kubeir, and we’ll guide you through your Canadian immigration journey!
Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!
📌 If you believe your VISA application should be showcased in the most favorable light when submitting to immigration, feel free to book our services.
📌 To book an appointment with Kubeir – Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, click the “Book Appointment”
📲 You may also reach us at this number for all immigration-related services:
- (+𝟭) 𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟳𝟳𝟳-𝟯𝟳𝟳𝟳 (Canada)
- +971 45 26 4646 (Dubai)
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.