Agriculture or one of the several agri-food industries that operate in Canada employs one out of every eight workers. These labour-intensive businesses are in severe need of young and efficient workers due to Canada's demographic issues. Calculate your scores using PNP calculator
This is most likely why Canada has established a trial immigration programme aimed solely at attracting talented people in Agri-food occupations. Is it wise to plan your future around an immigration pilot programme?
The BC PNP and Atlantic immigration pilot programmes were both very popular and successful, and they have now been made permanent. Because Canada exports more than $65 billion in agriculture and agri-food products, this programme is sure to be a major hit with both companies and international workers.
About the Agri-food immigration pilot
The programme covers three different industries' NOC codes.
a. 4 NOC codes for the meat product manufacturing business
b. Three NOC codes apply to the greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture producing industries.
c. 2 NOC codes for the animal production business
Maximum applications have been awarded to positions of retail butchers and industrial butchers in terms of the annual cap, followed by positions of retail butchers and industrial butchers.
a. Food processing labourers
b. Harvesting labourers
c. General farmworkers
Qualifying for the Agri-food immigration pilot
The Agri-Food pilot was created with the goal of focusing on the industry's non-seasonal workforce needs. This is why non-seasonal work experience and a job offer for a non-seasonal role are required.
In order to qualify for this programme, you must have worked in the industry for at least one year in the previous three years. Furthermore, the employment offer must be for full-time, non-seasonal work with salaries that are equivalent to or higher than the prevailing wage in Canada for the position.
Once you've met these two requirements, the rest of the linguistic, financial, and educational requirements should be rather easy to meet.
You must have CLB/NCLC 4 or higher English or French proficiency, a degree equivalent to or higher than a Canadian high school diploma, and sufficient settlement funds for yourself and your family members, as determined by the corresponding LICO criteria.
Agri-food pilot – the right program for you
To be eligible for the Agri-food Pilot, you do not need to have worked in Canada. The simplest method to qualify for this programme if you are a seasonal worker is to transfer your position to a non-seasonal one.
Calculate points using PNP calculator.
Over the last three years, you must have worked in the NOC code position for at least 1,560 hours. If you meet this need, the only other essential requirement is a work offer in Canada.
Furthermore, this is an experience-based programme in which on-the-job experience is valued over a degree connected to employment. Of course, this does not rule out the possibility of improving your educational credentials.
The temporary Foreigner Worker Factor
Agriculture and food-based businesses in Canada have relied on temporary and seasonal labor from other nations for a long time. This programme aims to discourage seasonal work in particular.
As a result, those working as temporary employees in Canada's agriculture and meat industries are eligible to apply. This implies you shouldn't be dismayed if you aren't currently eligible for the programme.
Simply find a decent job in Canada that is related to your position, enter as a temporary foreign worker, obtain non-seasonal work experience, and then apply for permanent residence.
Just keep in mind you need 67 points immigration Canada.
