Maple News reports that Canada has introduced a cap on the number of new permanent residence applications under its Agri-Food Immigration Pilot for 2025. Effective immediately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept a maximum of 1,010 applications—less than half of the previous annual limit of 2,750. The pilot program is set to conclude on May 14, 2025, and applications will only be considered until either the cap is reached or the program ends, whichever comes first.
The Agri-Food Pilot, launched in 2020, was designed to offer a pathway to permanent residence for non-seasonal workers in specific agriculture and food-related industries. It addresses longstanding labor shortages in key agri-food sectors by enabling eligible foreign workers and their families to settle in Canada permanently.
Eligible sectors under the pilot include meat product manufacturing, greenhouse and floriculture production (such as mushroom farming), and animal production (excluding aquaculture). The initiative targets skilled workers who can fill essential positions, helping to strengthen Canada’s food supply chain and rural economy.
To qualify, applicants must have a genuine job offer in one of the specified sectors, meet minimum education and work experience criteria, demonstrate proficiency in English or French, and show sufficient funds to support their move and integration into Canadian society.
Since its inception, the program has welcomed over 4,500 agri-food workers and their family members to Canada, contributing to both economic growth and workforce stability in rural regions.
The reduced cap for 2025 may make the process more competitive, signaling the importance for interested applicants to act promptly and ensure their applications meet all requirements. Experts suggest that the upcoming closure of the pilot might be followed by either a revised or expanded agri-food immigration stream, as labor demand in the sector remains high.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments related to Canadian immigration pathways and provide timely updates for applicants and employers alike.