Agri-Food Pilot Program 2025-26

Shakthivel Krishnaraj

5 min read

Updated On Aug 4, 2025

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About Canada's Agri-Food Immigration Pilot 2025-26
Eligible Industries Under Agri-Food Pilot Program in 2025-26
Eligible Occupations Under Agri-Food Pilot Program in 2025-26
Agri-Food Pilot Program Requirements for 2025-26
How To Apply for the Agri-Food Immigration Program?
Immigration Options for Agri-Food Workers in 2025-26
Secure Your Future in Canada With GetGIS!

Canada’s Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program 2025-26 has been launched to meet the labour requirements in the agri-food sector of the country. It allows skilled workers from certain industries to gain permanent residency in Canada. Those who wish to apply need to pay a fee of CAD 1525, although the application process was closed on May 14, 2025, for this year.

If you have applied for the program, the authorities will get in touch to let you know what to do next. This could include a medical exam, giving biometrics, sending more documents, or going for an interview. Scroll down for more details.

About Canada's Agri-Food Immigration Pilot 2025-26

The Agri-Food Pilot Program 2025-26 is a temporary program designed for non-seasonal workers with employment backgrounds in qualifying agricultural or food manufacturing roles.

Here are the key updates in the Agri-Food Pilot Program 2025-26:

The pilot program targets experienced, non-seasonal agri-food workers in specific industries, including meat product manufacturing and greenhouse/nursery production.
To be eligible, applicants must have recent full-time Canadian work experience, a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer outside Quebec, language proficiency of at least CLB 4 in English or French, and a minimum of a high school diploma.
The program lasts for a maximum of five years and cannot extend beyond May 14, 2025, due to regulatory limits.

Eligible Industries Under Agri-Food Pilot Program in 2025-26

The table below gives you information regarding the eligible industries under the agri-food pilot program. Explore the table below to gain more insights into the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Industry	NAICS Code
Meat Product Manufacturing	3116
Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production, including Mushroom Production	1114
	1114
Animal Production (excluding Aquaculture)	112
Cattle Ranching and Farming (excluding feedlots)	1121
Hog and Pig Farming	1122
Poultry and Egg Production	1123
Sheep and Goat Farming	1124
Other Animal Production	1129

Eligible Occupations Under Agri-Food Pilot Program in 2025-26

The occupations are classified by the National Occupational Classification Code (NOC) below are the eligible occupations under the various industries mentioned above.

1. Occupations Under Meat Product Manufacturing (NAICS 3116)

The table below gives you informative insights regarding the occupation list for the meat manufacturing industries. Explore the table below.

NOC Code	Occupation Title
94141	Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
94151	Labourers in food and beverage processing
63201	Butchers – retail and wholesale
65202	Meat cutters and fishmongers—retail and wholesale

2. Eligible Occupations Under Greenhouse, Nursery and Floriculture Production, including Mushroom Production (NAICS 1114)

The table below gives you informative insights into the eligible occupations under greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production industries. Explore the table below.

NOC Code	Occupation Title
82030	Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
84120	Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85100	Livestock labourers
85101	Harvesting labourers

3. Eligible Occupations Under Animal Production (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129)

The table below gives you informative insights regarding the eligible occupations under animal production, excluding aquaculture. Explore the table below to gain more insights.

NOC 2021 Code	Occupation Title
82030	Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
84120	Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
85100	Livestock labourers
85101	Harvesting labourers

Also, have a look at the An Ultimate Guide To International Programs

Agri-Food Pilot Program Requirements for 2025-26

The requirements can be divided into relevant work experience and educational requirements. Let us have a brief about these requirements.

1. Work Experience Requirements for Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

To qualify, you must meet all of the following:

1+ year of full-time, non-seasonal work in an eligible occupation within the last 3 years.
Experience must be in one of the approved NOC occupations (e.g., meat processing, greenhouse farming).
Work in Canada must be obtained through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with a valid:

LMIA-backed job offer (12+ months duration).
Closed work permit tied to the employer.

Educational Requirements for Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

To qualify for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, the candidate must fulfil the following educational requirements:

Possess a diploma from a Canadian high school.
Obtain an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognised organisation or professional body verifying the completion of a foreign credential at the secondary school level or higher.
The ECA report must be acquired within the five years preceding the application and must be issued on or after the date the organisation was designated.

How To Apply for the Agri-Food Immigration Program?

The following steps outline the simplified and essential application process for the Agri-Food immigration program. Adhering to these steps will promote a successful application. Verification of Program Requirements: Once you have confirmed that you meet the specified program requirements, you can proceed to the next step.

Steps To Apply for the Agri-Food Immigration Program.

Step 1 - Application Preparation

Access the official Agri-Food Immigration Pilot webpage.
Utilize the provided application guide and forms available on the webpage.
Compile a detailed application ensuring you include all required information.

Step 2 - Documentary Evidence Submission

Gather documentary evidence supporting your compliance with the program requirements.
Attach the necessary documents to your application.

Step 3 - Application Review

Review your completed application to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Step 4 - Submission

Prepare a hard copy of your application.

Step 5 - Mail your application

Send the hard copy of your application by mail to the address specified on the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot webpage as per your NOC code.

Immigration Options for Agri-Food Workers in 2025-26

The Agri Food Pilot Program is the key route for workers working in meat processing, greenhouse farming, and animal production. However, Canada offers multiple immigration options in meat processing, greenhouse farming, and animal production:

Whether you’re a skilled tradesperson, farm supervisor, or French-speaking worker, these programs can help in Canada PR for Farm Workers.

Immigration Program	Target Groups / Occupations	Key Eligibility Criteria	Benefits
Express Entry	Skilled trades in agri-food (e.g., agricultural service contractors, food processing supervisors)	Eligibility under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	Faster processing (6–12 months); no employer restrictions after permanent residence is granted.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)	Agri-food workers, including farm supervisors, meat cutters, nursery workers in provinces like BC (Agri-Food Immigration Stream), Alberta, Saskatchewan	Criteria vary by province and stream; usually require a job offer and relevant work experience	Provincial nomination adds points for Express Entry; some streams are targeted specifically at agri-food sectors (e.g., BC’s Agri-Food Pilot focuses on meat processing, dairy, and greenhouses).
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)	Workers in fisheries, aquaculture, food manufacturing in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and PEI	Requires employer endorsement; job offer in Atlantic provinces	Supports PR for workers endorsed by employers in the Atlantic region; aims to address labor shortages in regional sectors.
Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots	Agri-food labor in rural areas of provinces such as Manitoba and Ontario; French-speaking workers in Francophone minority communities	Job offer from designated community; language proficiency in French may be advantageous	Community-driven pathways facilitating settlement in rural areas; French language skills can improve chances in Francophone communities.

Secure Your Future in Canada With GetGIS!

In summary, Canada presents diverse opportunities through the Agri-Food Pilot Immigration program. To discover the specific NOC code you are eligible for, consider reaching out to GetGIS for more precise information.

An immigration consultant like GetGIS can offer valuable support. We are dedicated to helping you achieve your immigration and study abroad aspirations, offering comprehensive assistance throughout the application process, visa application, and relocation to a new country.

Book Your Free Consultation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the agri-food pilot program in Canada?

The eligibility of the Agri-food pilot program in Canada includes 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in one of the eligible occupations.

What was the application cap for the Agri-Food Pilot in 2025?

In 2025, the Agri-food pilot program application cap of 1,010 principal applicants reduced 2,750 from the previous year. Applications were accepted until May 14, 2025, or until the cap was reached.

Which industries and occupations were eligible under the Agri-Food Pilot in 2025?

The eligible occupations and industries are Meat Product Manufacturing, Greenhouse/Nursery/Floriculture Production (including mushrooms), and Animal Production (excluding aquaculture). Eligibility required having a job offer in specific occupations as per the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. Note: The occupation list remains unchanged for 2025

What happens after the Agri-Food Pilot ends?

If the Agri-Food pilot program ends, workers need not worry. Agri-food workers now can consider alternative immigration pathways such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs with agri-food streams), the Atlantic Immigration Program, and Rural and Francophone Community Pilots

Can I get PR as a farm worker in Canada?

Certainly, securing a Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada as a farm worker is achievable. The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot presents one avenue for non-seasonal agricultural workers with eligible job offers in designated industries and occupations to pursue this opportunity.