Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Project
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a community-driven program 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. The RNIP aims to help smaller rural and northern communities attract and retain skilled foreign workers to meet their economic development and labor market needs.
Participating Communities:
The program includes 11 participating communities across five provinces:
Ontario: North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay
Manitoba: Brandon, Altona/Rhineland
Saskatchewan: Moose Jaw
Alberta: Claresholm
British Columbia: Vernon, West Kootenay
Each community has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Eligibility Requirements:
Job Offer: Applicants must have a genuine, full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities.
Work Experience: At least one year of continuous work experience (1,560 hours) in the past three years or be a graduate from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community.
Education: A Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Language Proficiency: Meet the minimum language requirements (Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)) for the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level of the job offer.
Settlement Funds: Proof of sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members.
Intent to Reside: Demonstrate an intention to live in the community.
Application Process:
Obtain a qualifying job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities.
Ensure you meet all federal eligibility requirements for the RNIP.
Submit an application to the community for a recommendation. Each community has its specific application process and selection criteria.
If recommended by the community, submit a complete application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Community Role:
Each community partners with local economic organizations to recruit and assess candidates. They recommend candidates who meet their economic needs and have the best chance of integrating successfully into the community.
Program benefits:
Community Support: Access to community-driven support for integration and settlement.
Pathway to Permanent Residence: Provides a clear and facilitated pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in rural and northern communities