Agri-Food Immigration Pilot: Program Closure and What It Means

Canada launched the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFP) in 2020 to address chronic labour shortages in the country’s agriculture and food processing sectors. The program gave experienced, non-seasonal workers in eligible industries and occupations a pathway to permanent residence (PR).

After several years of operation, the program officially closed on May 14, 2025. While IRCC is no longer accepting new applications, files submitted before that date will still be processed. This article explains the Pilot’s purpose, its eligibility rules, and what options remain now that the program has ended.

Why the Agri-Food Pilot Was Created

Agriculture and food processing are essential industries in Canada, but they face long-standing labour shortages. Seasonal and temporary foreign workers filled many gaps, but employers struggled to retain long-term staff.

The AFP addressed this by offering permanent residence to workers already in Canada with experience in key agri-food occupations, creating stability for both workers and employers.

Key Features of the Agri-Food Pilot (While Active)

1. Targeted Sectors & Occupations
• Meat processing
• Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production
• Animal production (excluding aquaculture)

Eligible jobs included butchers, meat cutters, farm supervisors, livestock workers, and general farm workers.

2. Eligibility Requirements
• Work experience: At least 1 year of non-seasonal, full-time Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation.
• Job offer: A permanent, full-time, non-seasonal job offer outside Quebec.
• Language: Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French.
• Education: At least a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential with an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment).
• Settlement funds: Proof of funds unless already working in Canada.
3. Application Caps
• Each year, IRCC set a limit on applications.
• In 2025, the cap was 1,010 applications, which was reached months before the May 14 closing date.

Program Closure

• No new applications are accepted as of May 14, 2025.
• Applications submitted before the cutoff will still be processed.
• IRCC has confirmed that existing applicants will continue through the standard PR process, including medical, criminality, and security checks.

Alternatives for Agri-Food Workers

With the AFP closed, workers in Canada’s agriculture and food sectors may consider:

1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many provinces (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, BC) have streams for agri-food and semi-skilled
   workers.
2. Express Entry (with PNP support): Skilled agricultural workers may qualify under Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with
   provincial nomination.
3. Employer-specific LMIA pathways: Some employers can hire through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and later support PR through PNPs.
4. New or replacement federal pilots: IRCC may create new industry-specific pathways based on lessons from AFP.