Pathways to Permanent Residency
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If you are in Canada on a temporary foreign work permit, and are working in a meatpacking, mushroom or food processing workplace, your union can help you get permanent residency.
UFCW is here to assist you if you qualify for the Federal Agri-Food Pilot program, or one of the Provincial Nominee Programs. The qualification requirements vary depending on the program.
International students and refugee claimants are currently excluded by the Federal Agri-Food program. However, international students may be eligible for provincial nominee programs.
Agri-Food Pilot
The Agri-Food Pilot is a temporary immigration program focusing on labour shortages in the agri-food sector. UFCW fought to create this program on behalf of its migrant worker members.
Workers here through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program can apply for permanent residency in Canada, provided they meet the program's requirements.
In response to UFCW Canada’s demand for reform, the federal government expanded the Agri-Food Pilot to include new provisions that allow unions to vouch for Canadian work experience of migrant food workers.
The Agri-Food Pilot includes industries such as meat product manufacturing, greenhouse production, and other food manufacturing and food processing.
UFCW Canada is committed to help UFCW members achieve permanent residency in Canada if they qualify for this pilot.
Do you qualify for permanent residency?
To apply for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot, you will need:
- eligible Canadian work experience in one or more of the eligible industries, such as meat product manufacturing, greenhouse or mushroom production, and other occupations. Your union can vouch for your Canadian work experience.
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Your Canadian work experience must be:
- a minimum of 1 year of non-seasonal, full-time work in the past 3 years (at least 1,560 hours) and work at least 30 hours a week
- in one of the eligible occupations listed under one of the eligible industries
- through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- Please note: work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable foreign workers can count towards the work experience requirement
- to meet the Canadian Language Requirements in English or French. Level 4 English or French is required, and UFCW Canada can help you meet these requirements, with English classes at no cost. Learn more about UFCW Canada’s online English courses.
- to maintain temporary resident status (if already in Canada)
As of February 10, 2024, applicants who reside in Canada when they submit their application may now choose to meet either the job offer requirement OR the educational requirement:
- Job offer requirement: a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible industries and occupations (outside of Quebec).
If you do not meet the job offer requirement, you can meet the educational requirement:
- Educational requirement: to meet the educational requirements and provide an educational credential assessment (ECA). This involves a designated third party organization verifying your high school diploma or equivalent.
Your union is here to help you!
If you think you meet the requirements above, send us a message, and a UFCW Canada representative will reach out to help you start the process. Please give us two business days to respond.
Please note that workers with open work permits, such as international students or refugee claimants, do not qualify for the Agri-Food Program. However, international students may be eligible for provincial nominee programs.