On May 8, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot, which runs from now until May 14, 2025. 

To support employers and candidates, the Minister also announced the removal of annual occupational caps or limits on the number of candidates for specific occupations under the pilot. These new changes include:

• Expanding open work permits to family members of all agri-food pilot participants – regardless of the participant’s job skill level
• Allowing unions to certify a candidate’s work experience as an alternative to an employer reference
• Allowing applicants residing in Canada the option of meeting work opportunity requirements, including median wage requirements for work opportunities, or meeting educational needs, including assessment verification of educational credentials
• Accepting work experience gained by disadvantaged workers under an open work permit allows more workers the opportunity to qualify.