Simplified immigration to remote and rural areas of Canada

Simplified immigration to remote and rural areas of Canada

PR Program for Agricultural Workers – Agri-Food Pilot!

The temporary PR program for agricultural workers was launched in 2021. Initially, it was opened for three-year trial period. In February 2024, it was extended until May 2025.

What is this program, and who can apply for PR through it?

Applicants from inside and outside of Canada can apply. For those who are applying from within Canada, it's even possible to apply without a permanent job offer, but work experience in Canada (minimum 1 year) obtained on a closed work permit (LMIA) is a MUST. You also may have a minimum high school education. This program is even working for those who do not have a high school diploma. However, keep in mind that if the applicant within Canada does not have a high school diploma, they must have a contract for permanent employment. If you are applying for this program from outside of Canada, you must have work experience in Canada (1 year), a contract for permanent employment, and a minimum of high school education.

ATTENTION: Work experience gained on an open work permit is not counted when applying for PR through this program. If you have an open work permit, switch to a closed one and start gaining work experience. Work as a self-employed person, part-time work, unpaid work, and seasonal work does not count as well.

Language requirements – level 4 in all categories. The work contract must be in Canada but outside the province of Quebec.

These are specialists who can apply under this program:

  • Butchers - retail and wholesale
  • Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale
  • Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
  • Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
  • Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
  •  Livestock labourers
  • Labourers in food and beverage processing
  • Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
  • Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
  • Livestock labourers
  • Harvesting labourers
  • Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
  • Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
  • Livestock labourers
  • Harvesting labourers

Moreover, your work experience must be gained in a specific industry as:

  1. meat product manufacturing
  2. greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production
  3. animal production 
    • cattle ranching and farming
    • hog and pig farming
    • poultry and egg production
    • sheep and goat farming
    • other animal production

This program had a quota of 2,750 people per year (!!!). However, last May, this quota was removed, and until May 2025, there are no limits on the number of applicants for this program.