Pilot programs are usually employer driven and therefore, a job offer from a designated Canadian employer is one of the main requirements to apply under such programs.
Pilot programs currently available in Canada
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program:
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in 1 of Canada’s 4 Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program helps employers to hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot:
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program. It’s designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities where each community will also have its own
- Additional eligibility requirements
- Job search process
- Community recommendation application process
This pilot is community-driven, meaning the communities will:
- Assess prospective candidates who
- Best fit the economic needs of these community
- Have a genuine employment opportunity that meets their community requirements
- Have the intention of staying in the community
- Recommend candidates for permanent residence to IRCC for a final decision
- Connect newcomers with settlement services and mentoring opportunities with established members of the community
Agri-food Pilot Program:
The Agri-Food Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. This pilot program provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations.
To apply for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot, you need:
- Eligible Canadian work experience in one or more of the eligible industries and occupations
- A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible industries and occupations (outside of Quebec)
- To meet or exceed the language requirements
- To meet or exceed the educational requirements
- To have settlement funds (if applicable)
- To maintain temporary resident status (if already in Canada)