The Canadian government has announced a cap on the intake of permanent residency applications under the Agri-Food Pilot, a program designed to address critical labor shortages within the country's agricultural sector. This move comes in response to an overwhelming surge in applications, exceeding the capacity outlined in the current Immigration Levels Plan.
Effective immediately, the program will accept a maximum of 1,010 applications for permanent residence, which means only 1,010 eligible candidates will be able to submit applications before the program concludes on May 14, 2025
What is the Agri-Food Pilot Program?
The Agri-Food Pilot was launched in 2020 to address labor shortages in Canada’s agricultural and agri-food industries. The program offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled, non-seasonal workers with experience in specific roles within Canada’s agri-food sector.
Since its inception, the pilot has facilitated the immigration of over 4,500 agri-food workers and their family members, including nearly 1,775 individuals in the past year alone. However, according to IRCC, the interest in the Agri-Food Pilot now exceeds the spaces available under Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
Note: The pilot is legally limited to a five-year term under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Therefore, it will not be extended beyond May 14, 2025.
Alternative Immigration Pathways for Agri-Food Workers
While the Agri-Food Pilot is coming to an end, Canada offers several other immigration programs that may align with your goals:
Express Entry: A primary pathway for skilled immigrants to gain permanent residence in Canada. This system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to score and rank candidates based on factors such as work experience, education, and language proficiency.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): These programs allow provinces to select immigrants who meet specific regional labor market needs.
Atlantic Immigration Program: The Atlantic Immigration Program provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from Canadian institutions who wish to work and settle in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
This program is designed to support employers in hiring qualified candidates for positions they have been unable to fill locally.
Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots: These recently announced pilots aim to support the growth of rural and Francophone communities by attracting skilled immigrants, including those in the agricultural sector.
These pathways have different eligibility requirements, processing times, and application procedures. They can serve as excellent alternatives if you are unable to apply for the Agri-Food Pilot.
What Next?
The Agri-Food Pilot has been a transformative initiative for Canada’s agriculture sector, providing much-needed labor while offering immigrants a pathway to permanent residency. However, with the introduction of the 2025 application cap and the program’s impending conclusion, potential applicants must act quickly to secure their spot.
If you are unsure about your options, consulting with our team of experienced immigration professionals can help you chart the best path forward. Contact us today or book a PR Consultation to begin your journey toward becoming a permanent resident in Canada.