Federal Pilot Programs

There are several federal pilot programs that are designed to meet the immigration needs of specific geographic areas or occupations.  

Pilot Programs Description
Atlantic Immigration Pilot

This pilot is designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.

Participating provinces:

Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

Must apply through one of the three programs:

Atlantic International Graduate Program, Atlantic High-Skilled Program, Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

4-step application process under this pilot:

1. Meet both IRCC eligibility requirements and the community-specific requirements

2. Find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities

3. Once you have a job offer, submit your application for recommendation to the community

4. If a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence

Participating communities:

North Bay, ON; Sudbury, ON; Timmins, ON; Sault Ste. Marie, ON; Thunder Bay, ON; Brandon, MB; Altona/Rhineland, MB; Moose Jaw, SK; Claresholm, AB; Vernon, BC; West Kootenay, BC.

Agri-Food Pilot

Requirements:

At least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience in the past 3 years in one or more of the eligible industries and occupations, obtained through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (with an LMIA).

A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible industries and occupations (outside Quebec)

Language requirements: CLB 4 in all four abilities

Education requirement: Canadian high school diploma or equivalent

Have settlement funds (if applicable) and maintain temporary resident status (if already in Canada)

Eligible industries and occupations:

Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116):

NOC B 6331 – Retail butchers, NOC C 9462 – Industrial butchers, NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers, NOC D 9617 – Food processing labourers.

Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production (NAICS 1114):

NOC B 8285 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers, NOC C 8431 – General farm workers, NOC D 8611 – Harvesting labourers.

Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129):

NOC B 8582 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers, NOC C 8431 – General farm workers