Today Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said that the Agri-Food Pilot Program will now run until May 14, 2025. The pilot was established to help facilitate the transition of experienced workers in agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada.
The Minister also announced the lifting of the annual occupational caps. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says removing these limits will provide an opportunity for more eligible candidates to apply. IRCC will also be making additional changes by the end of the year. The department will introduce new changes to the pilot in stages, such as:
The Minister also announced the lifting of the annual occupational caps. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says removing these limits will provide an opportunity for more eligible candidates to apply. IRCC will also be making additional changes by the end of the year. The department will introduce new changes to the pilot in stages, such as:
- Increasing open work permit access to family members of the pilot program participants regardless of the candidates job skill level;
- Giving unions the ability to vouch for a candidate’s work experience as an alternative to employer reference letters;
- Applicants residing in Canada will be given the option to either meet the job offer requirement, which includes the median wage requirement for the offer or they may meet the education requirement (including an educational credential assessment verification); and
- The pilot will start accepting work experience obtained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers. IRCC says this will give more workers an opportunity to qualify.
