Rural Community Immigration pilots
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers who want to work and live in one of 14 rural and smaller communities in Canada:
How the pilot works?
Community-driven Immigration Program
Rural participating communities:
- Pictou County, NS
- North Bay, ON
- Timmins, ON
- Sault Ste. Marie, ON
- Steinbach, MB, ON
- Thunder Bay, ON
- Altona/Rhineland, MB
- Brandon, MB
- Moose Jaw, SK
- Claresholm, AB
- West Kootenay, BC
- North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
- Peace Liard, BC
- Sudbury, ON
Each of these communities will be represented by a local economic development organization, which will work with IRCC to identify labour gaps, nominate trustworthy employers and recommend candidates to IRCC for PR.
RCIP is a pathway for foreign nationals who:
- Can help fill labour shortages in designated rural communities in Canada (outside of Quebec); and
- Want to live long-term in these communities.
Who is eligible for RCIP?
RCIP is an employer-focused community-specific pathway. All candidates need a job offer from a designated employer that meets certain conditions.
In order to be eligible, candidates must have:
- Work experience:Â This should meet certain conditions. This requirement can also be waived for international graduates who meet certain conditions.
- Genuine offer of employment:Â An employment offer that is from a designated employer (one that is approved by an economic development organization).
- Language proficiency:Â The Canadian Language Benchmark required depends on the NOC TEER of the job offer.
- Education:Â The applicant must have obtained at least a secondary school level credential.
- Proof of funds:Â Applicants need to show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family for one year.
- Intent to reside:Â The applicant must intend to reside in the designated community they will work in.
- Certificate of recommendation:Â The applicant must have a valid certificate of recommendation from an economic development organization at the time of application.
Note:Â Applicants residing within Canada must have a valid temporary resident status at the time of application, and must continue to hold valid status in Canada until they receive PR.
Replacement for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP)
This new pilot program is considered to be a replacement for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP), which stopped accepting new applications in August 2024.
RNIP launched in 2022 to encourage newcomers to Canada to settle in some of Canada’s more remote regions.
