CIMM – Agri-Food Pilot – November 25, 2024

Key Facts and Figures

Since the launch of the Agri-Food Pilot in 2020, Canada has admitted close to 4,400 agricultural and agri-food workers and their family members as permanent residents. This includes over 1,600 workers and their family members thus far in 2024 (as of October 31, 2024).

In response to the evolving needs of our country, the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reduces admissions targets compared to the previously approved plan, with the intention to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term.
With respect to agricultural and agri-food workers, the Plan ensures ongoing permanent resident spaces in recognition of their contributions to a critical sector of the economy. Federal economic pilots have been allocated 10,920 admission spaces in 2025; 9,920 in 2026 and 9,920 in 2027.
The Agri-Food Pilot was introduced in May 2020 to help facilitate permanent residence for experienced workers in year-round occupations in the agriculture and agri-food industries.
Since its inception, the Agri-Food Pilot has been enhanced with more flexible criteria, measures to address vulnerability, and expanded access to permanent residence for experienced workers residing in Canada.

In May 2023, changes to the Agri-food Pilot included extending the Pilot until May 14, 2025; removing the annual occupational sub caps; expanding open work permit access to family members of all participants in the pilot; and, accepting union reference letters to attest to a candidate’s work experience (as an alternative to employer reference letters).
In February 2024, additional changes included giving applicants residing in Canada the option to either meet the job offer requirement or the education requirement, including the educational credential assessment verification; and accepting relevant work experience gained under an Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers.