No More Applications Accepted for Agri-Food Immigration Pathway
Canada has officially stopped accepting applications for its Agri-Food Pilot program. As of February 13, 2025, all available spots for this federal immigration initiative have been filled.
This means that foreign nationals who have not yet applied to the Agri-Food Pilot Program will need to explore alternative pathways to obtain permanent residency in Canada. However, applications submitted before the cut-off date will still be processed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The End of the Agri-Food Pilot: What It Means for Immigrants
Launched in 2020, the Agri-Food Pilot was introduced as a three-year program to address labor shortages in Canada’s agricultural and food processing sectors. The program was extended in 2023, with an official end date of May 14, 2025. However, due to high demand, the program reached its capacity for 2025 within the first two months of the year.
There is no official confirmation from the Canadian government regarding another extension or the introduction of a new permanent immigration program to replace the Agri-Food Pilot.
Who Was Eligible for the Agri-Food Pilot?
The Agri-Food Pilot was specifically designed to provide a pathway to permanent residence in Canada for foreign workers in certain industries. These included:
- Meat product manufacturing
- Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production (including mushroom production)
- Animal production
IRCC initially allowed 2,750 applications per year for the program. However, in January 2025, the annual cap was significantly reduced to 1,010 applications. The quick fill-up of slots shows the program’s popularity among foreign workers and Canadian employers.
Alternative Immigration Pathways for Agri-Food Workers
Although the Agri-Food Pilot has closed, foreign workers in the agriculture and food production industries still have several options to apply for permanent residency in Canada. These include:
1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Each Canadian province and territory has a PNP program designed to meet its unique labor market needs. Some PNPs focus specifically on agri-food occupations.
For instance, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) includes an Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Stream, which lists agriculture as a priority sector. This stream is a great alternative for workers who have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
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2. Rural Community Immigration Pilot
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a newly launched program aimed at attracting foreign workers to smaller Canadian communities. This initiative allows foreign nationals who receive job offers from designated employers in these communities to apply for permanent residency.
As of 2025, 14 communities across Canada have been chosen to participate in the pilot. Interested candidates must meet certain requirements, including:
- Work experience in an eligible occupation
- Language proficiency
- Education credentials
- Proof of settlement funds
3. Express Entry System
Express Entry remains one of the fastest pathways to permanent residency in Canada. The system evaluates candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language proficiency
To qualify, applicants must be eligible under one of these three immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Express Entry Category-Based Draws for Agri-Food Workers
In 2025, IRCC confirmed that Agriculture and Agri-Food remains a priority category for Express Entry. However, only butchers (NOC 63201) will be eligible for category-based draws. Agri-food workers in other roles may still apply, but they will need a high CRS score or French language proficiency to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
4. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven initiative aimed at helping foreign workers settle in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
To be eligible for the AIP, candidates must have:
- A job offer from a designated employer
- Work experience or a degree from an approved post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada
Each province has a separate process for designating employers, and New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have already announced updates to their AIP requirements for 2025.
What’s Next for Agri-Food Immigration in Canada?
With the closure of the Agri-Food Pilot, foreign nationals who had planned to apply will need to explore other immigration routes. IRCC has not yet announced a replacement program, but agri-food workers can still apply through PNPs, Express Entry, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, and AIP.
