Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)

Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) provides a pathway to permanent residence for workers in specific agricultural and food processing industries. While waiting for permanent residence to be finalized, eligible applicants can apply for a work permit to continue contributing to Canada’s food supply chain.

What is the Agri-Food Pilot Work Permit?

The AFP work permit is an employer-specific, LMIA-exempt work permit available to applicants under the Agri-Food Pilot. It allows workers to remain employed with their designated employer while their permanent residence application is being processed.

This ensures workers maintain legal status and stable employment during the transition to permanent residency.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible if you:

• Have applied for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot.
• Have a valid full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible Canadian employer in an AFP occupation (such as meat processing, greenhouse production, or livestock raising).
• Have received confirmation that your PR application has passed the completeness check.
• Meet admissibility requirements (medical, security, etc.).

Eligible family members (spouses and dependent children) may also apply for open work permits or study permits.

Employer Requirements

Employers hiring through the AFP must:

• Be in one of the approved agri-food industries.
• Provide a genuine job offer that meets program standards (wages, hours, working conditions).
• Submit the job offer through the IRCC Employer Portal and pay the employer compliance fee.

Benefits of the Agri-Food Pilot Work Permit

• Maintains legal status in Canada while PR is processing.
• Employer-specific: secures your job with the designated employer.
• Pathway to permanent residence: work experience gained under AFP supports PR eligibility.
• Family inclusion: spouses and children may also join you in Canada with permits.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

The Agri-Food Pilot has detailed eligibility rules and a yearly cap on applications. Our law firm helps applicants and employers:

• Confirm eligibility and job offer requirements.
• Prepare accurate PR and work permit applications.
• Avoid delays that could impact legal status.