Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
may 1,2025
RCIP Update
Objective: Continue RNIP’s mission by attracting skilled workers to rural communities, with plans to make RNIP a permanent program.
Eligibility (Preliminary, based on December 14, 2024, Canada Gazette):
Work Experience: 1 year of full-time work (or equivalent part-time) in the past 3 years, waivable for international graduates of a 2-year post-secondary program in a participating community.
Education: Minimum Canadian high school credential or equivalent.
Job Offer: Genuine, full-time, non-seasonal offer from a designated employer meeting specific conditions.
Language: CLB level based on job’s NOC/TEER (similar to RNIP: CLB 6 for TEER 0–1, CLB 5 for TEER 2–3, CLB 4 for TEER 4–5).
Settlement Funds: At least half the low-income threshold for rural areas (per Statistics Canada).
Process:
Employer-driven: Designated employers offer jobs, and communities recommend candidates via a points-based system (e.g., Timmins requires 50 points).
Candidates need a job offer and community recommendation before applying for PR to IRCC.
Communities collaborate with local economic development organizations to identify labor gaps and nominate employers.
Key Features:
Enhanced employer support to streamline hiring.
Focus on long-term settlement and integration, with communities providing settlement services.
No application intake began by April 2025; communities like Timmins and West Kootenay awaited IRCC timelines.
Participating Communities: 14 communities announced (e.g., Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, West Kootenay), with more details pending.
RCIP’s Potential
Employer Focus: RCIP’s employer-driven model, with designated employers and enhanced hiring support, aims to streamline recruitment for rural businesses.
Sectors Targeted: Likely to prioritize healthcare, trades, manufacturing, and food services, based on RNIP’s trends and rural labor needs.
Challenges:
Delayed launch (post-April 2025) due to community readiness and IRCC’s reduced pilot quota.
Lack of finalized eligibility criteria and community-specific requirements by April 2025 creates uncertainty for applicants.
Employers must demonstrate efforts to recruit Canadians/PRs before offering jobs to foreign workers, adding a step to the process.
Tips for Applicants
Research Communities: Monitor websites of participating RCIP communities (e.g., Timmins, West Kootenay) for job opportunities and eligibility updates.
Secure a Job Offer: Target full-time, permanent roles in high-demand sectors from designated employers.
Prepare Documents: Obtain language test results (e.g., IELTS, TEF Canada) and an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign credentials.
Engage with Employers: Contact designated employers directly, as RCIP is employer-driven, not candidate-led.
Stay Updated: Check www.canada.ca for RCIP launch dates and guidelines.
april 29, 2025
North Okanagan-Shuswap Unveils Priority Sectors and Occupations for RCIP: A Pathway to Permanent Residency
In April 2025, the North Okanagan-Shuswap region in British Columbia announced its priority sectors and occupations for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a federal program launched on January 30, 2025, to address labor shortages in 14 rural Canadian communities. This employer-driven initiative offers skilled foreign nationals a direct pathway to permanent residency (PR) by connecting them with designated employers in high-demand sectors. This blog explores the five priority sectors, the 25 eligible occupations with their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, and the opportunities this pilot presents for newcomers and local businesses in the North Okanagan-Shuswap region.
Priority Sectors for RCIP in North Okanagan-Shuswap
The North Okanagan-Shuswap RCIP has carefully selected five priority sectors to address local labor market needs, ensuring that only employers operating within these industries can participate. These sectors, which can be reviewed and adjusted annually, are designed to support the region’s economic growth and community development. The priority sectors are:
Healthcare – Addressing critical shortages in medical and support roles.
Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services – Supporting educational institutions, legal services, and community programs.
Sales and Service – Bolstering retail, hospitality, and customer-facing roles.
Trades and Transport – Meeting demand for skilled trades and logistics professionals.
Manufacturing and Utilities – Supporting industrial and utility operations.
These sectors encompass a wide range of businesses, but eligibility is strictly tied to the employer’s industry, not just the job’s NOC code. For example, a candidate working as an accountant (a priority NOC code) for a technology company outside these sectors would be ineligible.
Notes:
The minimum wage for restaurant and food service managers, accommodation service managers, and executive housekeepers is $25.00, while all other occupations require at least $22.00.
Food service supervisors (NOC 62020) exclude fast food restaurants and are limited to one recommendation per employer per year.
Priority NOC codes are reviewed annually, and changes may affect eligibility. For instance, NOC 62200 (Chefs) was removed from priority status as of February 26, 2024, under the predecessor Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).
How the RCIP Program Works
The RCIP is a community-driven, employer-focused pathway to permanent residency. Candidates must secure a full-time, permanent, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in one of the priority sectors and occupations. The North Okanagan-Shuswap region uses a point-based system, similar to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System, to evaluate candidates. Applicants are awarded points based on attributes like work experience, education, language proficiency, and community ties. Those with the highest scores (at least 50 points) are prioritized for community recommendation during monthly intake periods.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
Work Experience: At least one year (1,560 hours) of full-time work experience in the past three years, related to the job offer’s NOC TEER category (e.g., TEER 0/1 jobs require experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). International graduates from a Canadian public institution (2-year program, completed within 18 months) in the community may be exempt.
Language Proficiency: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements vary by NOC TEER level.
Education: Minimum of a secondary school diploma or equivalent foreign credential.
Financial Proof: Candidates must show sufficient funds to support themselves and their family for one year.
Intent to Reside: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intent to settle in the North Okanagan-Shuswap region, which includes the Regional District of North Okanagan, Electoral Areas C, D, E, F, and G of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and the City of Salmon Arm.
Employer Designation: Employers must be designated by Community Futures North Okanagan or Shuswap, operate in a priority sector, and have been active in the community for at least two years. They must complete mandatory IRCC training, conduct 75% of their business within the community, and comply with employment standards. Designated employers can request up to six candidate recommendations per year, with priority NOC codes exempt from this cap. Additionally, “Secondary NOC codes” may be considered on a case-by-case basis for non-priority roles if deemed economically beneficial.
april 27, 2025
Thunder Bay’s RCIP: In-Demand Jobs and Sectors for 2025
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) launched the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) on April 24, 2025, to address labor shortages in key industries. This employer-driven program targets five priority sectors, offering pathways for skilled workers to secure permanent residency in Thunder Bay, Canada. While specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and job titles are not fully publicized, the CEDC has outlined eligible sectors with likely roles based on local needs and historical data from the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).
Priority Sectors for Jobs in Demand (RCIP, Thunder Bay)
Business, Finance, and Administration
Roles: Accountants (NOC 11100), Administrative Officers (NOC 13100), Bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
Supports Thunder Bay’s growing business and public sectors.
Health Occupations
Roles: Registered Nurses (NOC 3012), Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101), Personal Support Workers (NOC 4412)
High demand due to shortages in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services
Roles: Early Childhood Educators (NOC 4214), Social Workers (NOC 41300), Community Service Workers (NOC 4212)
Bolsters educational and community services.
Sales and Service
Roles: Cooks (NOC 63200), Retail Salespersons (NOC 64100), Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020)
Driven by tourism and retail growth.
Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators
Roles: Electricians (NOC 72200), Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 73300), Construction Labourers (NOC 75110)
Fuels mining, construction, and logistics sectors.
How It Works
Employer-Driven: Candidates need a full-time, permanent job offer from a CEDC-designated employer in one of these sectors.
Eligibility: Requires 1,560 hours of relevant work experience, language proficiency, and intent to reside in Thunder Bay. For regulated roles (e.g., nurses), provincial licensure is mandatory.
Process: Employers submit applications on behalf of candidates via the CEDC portal. Applications are scored, with a minimum of 50 points needed to enter the candidate pool.
General RCIP Candidate Requirements
To qualify for the RCIP, candidates must meet the following criteria:
· Job Offer: Secure a full-time, permanent job offer from a CEDC-designated employer in Thunder Bay. The job must align with the program’s priority sectors and occupations (specific sectors are not detailed in the provided data but are determined by CEDC based on local labor needs).
· Intent to Reside: Demonstrate a genuine intention to live permanently in Thunder Bay, supported by actions toward settlement (e.g., community ties, family connections, or plans to contribute to the community).
· Work Experience: Have at least 1,560 hours (equivalent to one year of full-time work at 30 hours per week) of verifiable work experience in the past five years. This experience must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of the job offer.
· Education: If residing outside Canada, candidates must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report (less than 5 years old) showing a foreign credential equivalent to a Canadian secondary school level or above. Candidates in Canada may meet either the educational or job offer requirement.
· Language Proficiency: Meet minimum language requirements (not specified in the data but typically aligned with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for similar programs).
· Licensure (if applicable): For regulated professions, candidates must hold necessary certification or licensure from the relevant provincial regulatory body.
· Scoring: Applications are ranked using a points-based system, with a minimum score of 50 points required to enter the candidate pool.
Employer Requirements
Employers must be designated by the CEDC to participate in the RCIP. Designation criteria include:
Operating as an active, genuine business in Thunder Bay for at least two years (or three years if recently relocated).
No violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Demonstrating efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents before offering jobs to foreign nationals.
Commitment to mentoring, counseling, and supporting immigrants’ integration into the community.
Application Process
· Employer Designation: Employers apply for designation by submitting the RCIP Employer Designation Application Form and completing mandatory training.
· Job Offer: Designated employers offer eligible candidates a full-time, permanent job that meets RCIP requirements.
· Candidate Application: Employers submit the Recommendation Application Form (one per candidate) with required documentation via the CEDC portal. Candidates do not apply directly to the CEDC.
· Assessment: Applications are assessed on an ongoing basis, ranked by points, and placed in the candidate pool if they meet the minimum score
Notes
Healthcare Focus: Historical RNIP data shows strong demand for nurses and support workers, likely continuing under RCIP.
No Public Job List: Specific NOC codes and job titles are set by the CEDC Advisory Council but not fully published. Contact the CEDC for details.
No Direct Applications: Unlike the RNIP, candidates cannot apply directly to the CEDC; they must work through designated employers.
August 31, 2024
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot ended on August 31, 2024.
Applications received will continue to be processed on or before this date.
If you’re eligible, you can still apply for a work permit so you can work while we process your application.
November 24, 2022 - Participating Communities
IRCC recently updated the eligibility requirements for permanent residence through this pilot. The requirements you need to meet depend on whether you have applied for community recommendation and the date you applied.
January 5, 2022: RINP Process Update
Due to Covid-19 you can now accumulate qualifying work experience of at least 1 year of full-time work (or an equal amount in part-time) within the last 3 years, whether that work experience is continuous or not.
There are 4 steps to applying for permanent residence under this pilot.
Check that you meet both
IRCC eligibility requirements and
the community-specific requirements.
Find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
Once you have a job offer, submit your application for recommendation to the community.
If a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence.
If you meet all of the requirements, you can start to look for an eligible job in the community.
September 29, 2021: Thunder Bay: RURAL AND NORTHERN IMMIGRATION PILOT (RNIP)
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a new community-driven immigration program. It is 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 Thunder Bay.
The RNIP allows eligible employers to make full time permanent job offers to skilled foreign workers who can help fill identified labour shortages in our city.
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) recommends people for permanent residence who have the skills and experience that the Thunder Bay economy needs, and the Government of Canada makes the final decision to approve applications for permanent residence.
The RNIP takes place over three years (November 2019 through December 2022). In Year 1 of the Pilot, 69 recommendations were made.
August 20, 2021: Vernon, Britist Columbia: RURAL AND NORTHERN IMMIGRATION PILOT (RNIP)
Vernon, British Columbia is one of 11 communities in Canada participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program. The program was designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to communities outside of the larger metropolitan areas of the country.
The program provides communities with the opportunity to work directly with employers along with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to create a permanent residency opportunity to attract skilled workers to the region. Applicants must meet community specific eligibility, federal selection criteria and have a full-time permanent job with a local employer.
Community Futures North Okanagan is leading this program. For more information and details on the program, please visit the official Vernon RNIP website at:
https://rnip-vernon-northok.ca/
For eligible job postings:
https://www.northstarats.com/RNIP-Vernon
April 11 - Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot - Who can Apply
process
There are 4 steps to applying for permanent residence under this pilot.
Check that you meet both
Find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
Once you have a job offer, submit your application for recommendation to the community.
If a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence.
Each community will also have its own
additional eligibility requirements
job search process
community recommendation application process
Who can apply
To be eligible for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, you must meet all IRCC eligibility requirements. You must
have qualifying work experience or have graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community
meet or exceed the language requirements
meet or exceed the educational requirements
prove you have enough money to support your transition into the community
If you meet all of the requirements, you can start to look for an eligible job in the community.
March 10 - Timmins RNIP (Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot)
Timmins is focued on attracting immigrants in the four following sectors healthcare & social work, licensed and unlicensed trades, business administration, and information technology. Also, the community allocated up to 15 spots for the open NOC applicants. As of March 9, 2021, Timmins has received the maximum number of applications for NOC 6211 Retail sales supervisors and NOC 6311 Food services supervisors.
JANUARY 18 - REGIONAL IMMIGRATION PILOT UPDATE
The Regional Immigration Pilot (RIP)is currently accepting intake forms. An additional 150 nominations will be available under the pilot for 2021. Click here for the RIP.
Do you want to submit an intake form, click intake form.
Make sure you complete the form in its entirety when submitting it. Incomplete forms will be rejected.
July 9 - Ontario Regional Immigration Pilot Intake is now Open
OINP Regional Immigration Pilot is currently accepting applications. The purpose of the pilot is to employers in the pilot communities to encourage the OINP to focus on skilled labour that is not available locally.
Candidates who apply to the Regional Immigration Pilot require to:
• Have a full-time and permanent job offer from an employer located in one of the pilot communities (Chatham-Kent, Cornwall or Quinte West/Belleville), and
• Meet the criteria for one of the streams under the OINP’s Employer Job Offer category
To apply for the pilot candidates, need to complete an intake form and submit the form by email to regionalimmigration@ontario.ca. If all the information in your completed form is confirmed as accurate, they will receive further notification on how to submit an application to the OINP Employer Job Offer category.
For additional information about the pilot, please contact JM Immigration.
February 25 - Alberta town of Claresholm joins Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
The town of Claresholm is one of the latest communities to join the three year Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). Claresholm has been facing a labour shortage and not been able to attract people to fill entry-level positions, now has had a flood of people applying from around the world.
The Town of Claresholm is in Southern Alberta and is less than a 2-hour drive from the city of Calgary. It includes Stavely, Granum, and parts of the MD of Willow Creek for this pilot. Claresholm is one of eleven communities in Canada approved for the program, and the only community in Alberta. The Claresholm Economic Development Committee will select 20 candidates and their families for permanent residency.
To be eligible for selection candidates need to create an online profile in the Claresholm RNIP Portal upload their resume, cover letter, and supporting documents. Once a candidate has created a profile, they can apply for jobs that will be posted on the Claresholm RNIP Employment Portal.
If a candidate received a job offer, Claresholm will support their application for permanent residence. The candidate can then apply for a work permit to come to Canada.
December 20 - Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot - Brandon, Manitoba
The latest community in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is Brandon in Manitoba to start accepting applications in the five-year pilot.
The aim of the RNIP is to match foreign workers or temporary foreign workers (TFW) who are in Canada with job vacancies in the community. A candidate that receives a full-time offer of permanent employment and the community recommendation through the RNIP can apply for permanent residence (PR). It is estimated that on an annual basis 2,750 applicant and their families could be approved for PR. During the pilot’s first year Brandon can recommend 100 candidates.
Brandon is the third community that is now accepting applications. The other two communities are Sault St. Marie in Ontario and Altona/Rhineland in Manitoba.
To apply, candidates require to create a user profile and then apply for eligible jobs that are listed on Brandon’s RNIP website.
November 24 - Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: Currently Accepting Applications
The communities of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba, have now started accepting applications from candidates who have an offer for permanent employment from an employer in the local community. Candidates who are endorsed by a participating community will be able to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates must also meet the community requires as well as the federal requirements.
Effective December 1, 2019, Brandon, Manitoba will begin accepting applications from candidates, and Thunder Bay, Ontario will start accepting applications from candidates in January, 2020.
It is anticipated that there will be similar announcement from other communities in the coming weeks and months ahead.
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 1 of 11 participating communities.
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.
There are 4 steps to applying for permanent residence under this pilot.
1. Check that you meet both
• IRCC eligibility requirements and
• community-specific requirements
2. Find an eligible job with an employer in 1 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
Each community will also have their own
• additional eligibility requirements
• job search process
• community recommendation application process
This information will be available on their websites.
Participating communities
The pilot will launch in participating communities at different times.
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
This pilot is community-driven and the communities will:
• assess prospective candidates who
o best fit the economic needs of the community
o have a genuine employment opportunity that meets their community requirements
o 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
