Canada Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)

Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot ended on May 14, 2025. IRCC accepted up to 1,010 PR applications in 2025; files submitted by the deadline are still being processed.

The Pilot targets 3 main groups of jobs:

• Meat processing
• Greenhouse, mushroom, nursery & floriculture
• Livestock production (animal production)

If you missed the cut-off, consider strong alternatives such as

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
• Atlantic Immigration Program
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

What is the Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)?

The Agri-Food Pilot is a federal PR pathway for experienced, non-seasonal agri-food workers in select industries. Designed to fill long-term labor needs in meat processing, greenhouse/mushroom/floriculture, and animal production. Since its launch, the program has helped over 4,500 workers and family members get PR. Final intake ended May 14, 2025.

Key points at a glance

• Focus on critical skills in agriculture and food production
• A PR pathway for experienced, skilled workers
• Immediate family can be included
• Government fee: about CAD $1,525 for the AFP PR application (other costs, tests/medicals, may apply)

Tiny story: A greenhouse picker worked full-time for a year, learned fast, and earned a steady job offer. With the Pilot, that worker and their family could settle here and plan school, housing, and long-term goals.

Who Qualified?

To be eligible, applicants generally need:

• Recent Canadian work: At least 12 months (1,560 hours) full-time, non-seasonal, in an eligible job under the TFWP within the last 3 years
• Language: CLB 4 in all abilities (English/French)
• Education: High school diploma (or ECA equivalent)
• Job offer: Full-time, non-seasonal, outside Québec, at prevailing wage or higher
• Funds: Enough money to settle your family (unless exempt by current work in Canada)

2025 settlement-funds reference (IRCC table): 1 person C$15,263, 2 C$19,001, 3 C$23,360, 4 C$28,362… (updated July 2025). Use IRCC’s current table when you apply.

Eligible Industries & Jobs

The Pilot focuses on three industry groups (NAICS = industry codes):

1. Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116): Industrial butchers (NOC 94141), labourers in food & beverage processing (95106), butchers (63201), meat cutters & fishmongers (65202)
2. Greenhouse/mushroom/nursery/floriculture (NAICS 1114): Harvesting labourers (85101), agricultural service contractors & farm supervisors (82030)
3. Animal production (NAICS 1121/1122/1123/1124/1129): Specialized livestock workers (84120), livestock labourers (85100)

Eligible Jobs (NOC 2021 codes)

(NOC = job classification code. We’ll confirm the exact code for your title in our assessment.)

1. Meat processing

• NOC 63201,  Butchers (retail & wholesale)
• NOC 65202,  Meat cutters and fishmongers
• NOC 94141,  Industrial butchers and meat cutters
• NOC 82030,  Agricultural service contractors & farm supervisors
• NOC 84120,  Specialized livestock workers
• NOC 85100,  Livestock labourers
• NOC 95106,  Labourers in food & beverage processing
  

2. Greenhouse, mushroom, nursery & floriculture

• NOC 82030,  Agricultural service contractors & farm supervisors
• NOC 84120,  Specialized livestock workers
• NOC 85100,  Livestock labourers
• NOC 85101, Harvesting labourers

3. Livestock production (animal production)

• NOC 82030,  Agricultural service contractors & farm supervisors
• NOC 84120,  Specialized livestock workers
• NOC 85100,  Livestock labourers
• NOC 85101,  Harvesting labourers
  

📌 One of our friends, Ana, worked 12 months full-time in a mushroom facility (NAICS 1114) as a harvesting labourer (NOC 85101). With a year of pay stubs, CLB 4, and a non-seasonal job offer, she was a strong AFP candidate before the May 14, 2025, closure.

Best Alternatives If AFP Is Closed When You Want to Apply

There are solid alternatives:

• Express Entry (CEC/FSW/FST): For skilled experience; check language/education/TEER rules and proof-of-funds if required. 
• Government of Canada
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many provinces nominate agri-food roles through employer-driven or occupation lists.
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Employer-designated, job-offer-based PR for Atlantic provinces.
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): Replaces RNIP; community-driven job-offer route in smaller centers.

Agri-Food Pilot Documents Checklist

• ID & status: Passports, current permit/entry records (if in Canada).
• Job & experience: Offer/contract, pay stubs, ROE (if any), letters confirming duties/hours/dates.
• Industry & occupation: NAICS/NOC confirmation from employer and your role.
• Language & education: Valid test (CLB grid) and diploma/ECA.
• Police & medicals: As requested at PR stage.

Final word

Hard work in barns, plants, or greenhouses keeps food on Canada’s tables. That matters. If your role falls in meat processing, mushroom/greenhouse, or livestock, and the timing still works, complete the assessment today. We’ll confirm eligibility, check the cap, and, if needed, pivot you to the fastest realistic plan for PR.

FAQs