Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot Now Accepting Applications

Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino has announced that the Agri-Food pilot program is now accepting applications after experiencing delays related to COVID-19.

The Agri-Food Pilot program was originally set to open for applications back in April. The program was postponed from its original start date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Last week, the Canadian government announced that it would begin accepting applications starting on May 15th. Applications are expected to continue to be accepted up until May 14, 2023.

The pilot program will accept 2,750 applications annually. 

Although Canada has recently closed its borders to all non-essential travel, the government has confirmed that it will continue to allow entry to select foreign workers.

What is the Agri-Food Pilot?

The three-year pilot program was created to help fill ongoing labour shortages within the meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse crop production and livestock raising industries.

In the past, skilled workers in this industry have been offered short-term work permits. The pilot would offer agricultural workers with Canadian job experience and a job offer from a Canadian employer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

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