Canada’s decision to cap permanent residence applications for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot at 1,010 for 2025 has drawn concern from the agriculture sector. Since its launch in 2020, the program has been vital in addressing labor shortages in Canada’s agri-food industry. Over 4,500 agri-food workers and their families have gained permanent residency through the pilot.
The program will close on May 14, 2025, marking the end of its five-year duration under federal regulations.
The high demand for the pilot has outpaced the spaces allocated in Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Despite its closure, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process applications submitted before the deadline.
Canada plans to welcome 10,920 new immigrants through various pilot programs in 2025. These include the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, Caregiver Pilot, Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, and Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. However, the agriculture sector fears closing the Agri-Food Pilot could impact the industry’s labor supply.
The pilot targeted skilled workers in meat processing, greenhouse crop production, and livestock industries. It provided a pathway to permanent residency for workers with job offers and relevant experience. Eligible roles included industrial butchers, agricultural supervisors, and livestock workers.
Applicants needed at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation. They also had to meet language proficiency, education, job offer, and settlement fund requirements.
These strict criteria ensured that the pilot attracted experienced workers to fill critical gaps in the agri-food sector.
Although the pilot is ending, agri-food workers can pursue other immigration pathways. Options include Express Entry programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the Rural and Francophone Community Pilots.
These alternatives provide opportunities for agri-food workers to achieve permanent residency while supporting Canada’s labor market needs. However, the sector remains concerned about the long-term impact on agricultural productivity without a dedicated immigration stream for agri-food workers.
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