Immigration pilots are designed for skilled foreign nationals in certain industries and occupations who want to gain permanent residence in Canada (Canada PR). Additionally, pilots are limited-term programs introduced to address the labour force needs and shortfall of skills within specific Canadian provinces or regions.

What Are Immigration Pilots?

Sometimes pilot programs are initiated to test how well it performs before it is officially declared a program. A good example of a pilot program is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, formerly known as the AIPP, which later transitioned into an actual program, currently known as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

This pilot program was soon declared a permanent immigration program due to its exceptional performance in bridging the worker-to-retiree ratio and enabling immigrants to add tremendous value to the Canadian economy.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is aimed at various communities in Canada, allowing skilled workers to add value with their skills and expertise where it is most needed. Immigrants who want to live and work in Canada through this program can also transition into Canada PR.

As per the data on the official Canadian government website, below are some of participating communities listed under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

  • 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 (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC

Who Evaluates Prospective Candidates?

Canadian communities will evaluate candidates on the following factors:

  • Evaluate candidates who best align with the economic needs of the communities mentioned above.
  • Secure a job offer in the above communities that fulfills the requirements while planning to stay in the community.
  • Refer prospective candidates to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence, by which the final decision will be made.
  • Have settlement services with mentoring opportunities and significant role players within the community.

The Application Process for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

  • Step 1: Ensure you meet the IRCC eligibility and community requirements.
  • Step 2: Secure a job offer in one of the participating communities.
  • Step 3: After submitting your application for recommendation to the community. You must prove you meet the requirements and have a job offer lined up in one of the participating communities.
  • Step 4: Once recommended, you can apply for permanent residence.

You can Apply for a One-Year Work Permit

If you qualify for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, you may be the ideal candidate for a one-year work permit, which allows you to live and work in Canada while your application for permanent residency is being processed.

You must prove you have a job offer lined up, have a recommendation from a participating community, meet the criteria to apply for a work permit and receive an acknowledgement of receipt letter.

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

This pilot aims to address the labour shortages and needs in the food sector while providing a pathway to permanent residence for non-seasonal workers wanting to settle in Canada. To be successful under this program, you must have:

  • Canadian work experience in designated industries and occupations.
  • Have a non-seasonal job offer on a full time from a legitimate Canadian employer in the eligible industries and occupations, which must be outside Quebec.
  • Ensure you meet or exceed the language requirements.
  • Have sufficient settlement funds.
  • Maintain your temporary resident status if you are already in Canada.

What are Eligible Industries in Canada?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) deems which industries are eligible. Find out more here. The eligible industries are as follows, according to the official Canadian government website:

  • meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
  • greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
  • animal production, excluding aquaculture
  • cattle ranching and farming (NAICS 1121)
  • hog and pig farming (NAICS 1122)
  • poultry and egg production (NAICS 1123)
  • sheep and goat farming (NAICS 1124)
  • other animal production (NAICS 1129)

The Application Process for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

Step 1: Get the application package and complete it. You must ensure you meet the requirements for your job offer and work experience. Apply online and create your Canada PR online application portal and fill out the necessary forms thoroughly to avoid a delay in processing times.

Step 2: Get your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) sorted. Candidates between 14 and 79 years old must submit their biometrics and pay the biometric fee to avoid delays in processing times. You can pay the fee within 30 days from the date you received the letter requesting your biometrics.

Note: According to the official Canadian government website, below is a brief breakdown of biometric fees:

  • Individual applicant: $85
  • Families applying at the same time: a maximum total fee of $170
  • Groups of three or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: a maximum total fee of $255

Step 3: Pay your fees online. While there are different ways you can pay your fees, the suitable way to pay your fees will depend on where you are paying and the type of application you are submitting. From there onwards, you will receive instructions on how to pay your fees online.

Step 4: Submit your application online and ensure you answer all relevant questions, sign your application correctly, which will be done electronically, including your processing fee receipt and upload all supporting documents that validate your information.

We urge applicants to fill out the information on their application thoroughly as this can cause a delay in processing times, and your application will be returned to you.

Get in touch with an immigration expert to assist you with immigrating today, and find out which pilot will be suitable for you.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot

How does Canada PR work for a Caregiver?

Through this program, you can gain Canada PR or work temporarily as a caregiver in Canada. You must have a temporary resident status while you live and work in Canada, and you must extend your work permit before the ex[oration date and change the conditions of your work permit before it expires.

You can also have a “maintained status,” which happens when you apply for a new work permit before your current work permit expires.

Apply for Canadian PR through Immigration Pilots

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot

If you want to gain PR through this program, you must be eligible, meet the criteria, and have a job offer lined up in the stipulated occupations. You will receive an open work permit which allows you to work temporarily in Canada.

Under the open work permit, you must work within a specific occupation; you won’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which enables you to get the necessary work experience required to gain Canada PR.

Furthermore, you can find out more about the open work permit and employer-specific work permits here. This resource will also cover the four steps to getting a Canadian work permit.

Apply for Canada PR through the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)

This program is currently closed to new applicants, but interested candidates can check the official Canadian government website before applying.

You can apply for PR if you have at least two years of work experience in the program. Additionally, you can apply if you are already working in Canada with your LCP work permit; alternatively, if you were approved for your first LCP work permit based on your LMIA, which you submitted on or before November 30, 2014.

The Application Process for Caregivers

  • Step 1: Ensure you are eligible to apply and meet the criteria.
  • Step 2: Get a positive LMIA from your Canadian employee - a positive LMIA will state that your employee is authorized to hire a temporary foreign worker.
  • Step 3: Apply for your work permit online. You must answer a few questions before receiving the application to live and work in Canada.

If you do not qualify for either of the options mentioned above, you can always immigrate through a different program. You can contact our Canadian immigration experts to refer you to the best program suitable for your situation or circumstances.

Other Immigration Pathways

You need to know more about these programs if you would like to explore other immigration pathways, such as the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Note: The Express Entry and PNP are not pilots, but they are permanent immigration pathways most commonly preferred due to their versatile nature, accommodating most people’s circumstances.

Apply for PR through the Express Entry System

Express Entry is a points-driven system that manages immigration applications. What makes this system so appealing is the fact that it yields quick immigration results. Candidates are selected based on the points they accumulate in the Express Entry pool and must receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) before they apply to the program directly.

Feel free to explore how the Express Entry system works and how you can improve your Comprehensive Ranking Score here.

Apply for PR through the Provincial Nominee (PNP)

This program is province-driven and designed to seek out foreign talent abroad to fill the labour shortage within a province. Employees also utilize the PNP to filter the strongest candidates, while prospective candidates would select a province based on the demand of their occupation.

Learn more about the PNP and how this program can be your pathway to PR.

Settle in Canada with the Immigration Pilots

We have provided you with the necessary information about PR in Canada and the immigration pilots that enable you to gain Canada PR with additional resources and processes that could be helpful.

Head to Canadian Visa Review for more information on various interesting content around Canadian immigration.

FAQs

What is the fastest way to immigrate to Canada?

Express Entry would be the quickest way to immigrate to Canada since the system is designed to yield quick immigration results. Find out more here.

Which province is easiest to get PR in Canada?

The PR process depends on which province is most in-demand for your occupation. Before you select a province, you must conduct the necessary research on the province before you decide to settle in Canada. Find out more about the PNP here.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in Canada?

The duration taken to gain PR will depend on several factors, such as the completeness of your application, which can cause a delay in processing times, and the program you choose for immigration.