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Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFIP)
A newly released pilot helping the Canadian agri-food sector.
Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry is an important part of the Canadian economy. In 2020, the Government of Canada introduced the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFIP) as a 3-year immigration project.
Before AFIP ends in May 2023, it is to test an industry-specific approach addressing the labor shortage, and it seeks to attract experienced, non-seasonal workers who can economically establish themselves in Canada and enhance the benefits in specific occupations. As in return, eligible AFIP applicants will receive Canadian permanent residence.
In general, AFIP accepts 2,750 applications annually and is looking for individuals with experience in the following agri-food sectors:
| Eligible occupations | Annual Limits |
|---|---|
| Farm supervisor or specialized livestock worker | 50 |
| Industrial butcher or retail butcher | 1,470 |
| Food processing labourer | 730 |
| General farm worker | 200 |
| Harvesting labourer | 300 |
AFIP Eligibility
- In the past 3 years, AFIP applicants have gained at least 1 year of full-time, non-seasonal work experience in Canada:
-
- in one of the eligible occupations listed below for at least 1,560 hours;
- through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) with a minimum 1-year duration must have been submitted;
- work hours gained while holding an open work permit doesn't count.
- An eligible job offer from a Canadian employer, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage;
- A CLB/ NCLC level 4 in 4 language skills for English or French requirement; and
- An education at the high school level or above (Canadian equivalency);
- an educational credential assessment (ECA) report is required for a foreign education credential.
| Meat product manufacturing | Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production | Animal production |
|---|---|---|
| NOC B 6331 – Retail butchers | NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers | NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers |
| NOC C 9462 – Industrial butchers | NOC C 8431 – General farm workers | NOC C 8431 – General farm workers |
| NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers | NOC D 8611 – Harvesting labourers | Excluding aquaculture NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129 |
| NOC D 9617 – Food processing labourers | Including mushroom production |
Additional Adjustments For Employers
The Canadian government has introduced changes to benefit meat processor employers who are supporting their temporary foreign workers (TFW) in transitioning to permanent residence under AFIP:
- A 2-year LMIA will be issued to eligible meat processing employers, including employers who are using the AFIP;
- Meat processors will be required to outline their plans to support their TFW in obtaining permanent residency;
- Taking into account efforts made by employers, the way the limit on low-wage TFW is calculated can be adjusted; and
- Employers who have a history of recruiting workers who have made the transition to permanent residence could be eligible to be excluded from the limit calculation.
You are welcome to contact us for professional advice on Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. We will also provide any assistance to help you and your family settle in Canada.