The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a community-driven program. The pilot 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 one of the participating communities. If you have applied for permanent residence under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, you may also be eligible for a one-year work permit. The work permit lets you work while your permanent residence application is being processed.

North Bay, Ontario

This pilot encompasses the communities of North Bay, Colander, Powassan, East Ferris, Banfield, West Nipissing and some unorganized townships. The pilot is for jobs in mining, trades, manufacturing, aviation, health care, construction, technology, accounting, architecture, and legal profession sectors.  Read More…

Sudbury, Ontario

Greater Sudbury is centrally located in Northeastern Ontario and is a world class mining center.  Read More…

Timmins, Ontario

The Timmins pilot is spearheaded by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation and the numerous partners involved in the Timmins Employer Council.  Read More…

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

A welcoming community of 73,000, Sault Ste. Marie provides a mix of urban and natural amenities that offer an affordable, active lifestyle in the heart of the Great Lakes.  Read More…

Thunder Bay, Ontario

The RNIP allows eligible employers to make full time permanent job offers to skilled foreign workers who can help fill identified labor shortages in Thunder Bay.  Read More…

Brandon, Manitoba

Brandon, MB is a welcoming community of approximately 50,000 people located in the southwest corner of Manitoba, one hour from the USA and Saskatchewan borders. In the past decade, Brandon has successfully welcomed over 7,000 newcomers from all over the world.  Read More…

Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba

Altona/Rhineland is in southern Manitoba and has a long history of welcoming newcomers and integrating both immigrants and refugees into the social fabric of the community.  Read More…

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

This pilot is for skilled foreign nationals who can fill local job vacancies and want to live in Moose Jaw and the surrounding area.  Read More…

Claresholm, Alberta

Claresholm is one of eleven communities in Canada approved for the rural immigration pilot program and is the only community to be selected in Alberta.  Read More…

Vernon, British Columbia

This Pilot region includes the City of Vernon, District of Lake Country, District of Coldstream, City of Armstrong, Township of Spallumcheen, City of Enderby, Village of Lumby and several unincorporated areas within the North Okanagan, Columbia Shuswap, Central Okanagan, and Thompson Nicola Regional Districts, excluding the census subdivision of Kelowna (City), as defined by Statistics Canada.  Read More…

West Kootenay, British Columbia

The West Kootenay Region (including Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland and surrounding areas) was recognized as an area of opportunity that could benefit from this pilot and has entered into a partnership with IRCC.  Read More…

Potential candidates must meet the federal criteria as well as requirements established by the participating community where they are hoping to settle. As a candidate you must:

· Have a recommendation from one of the  designated communities.

· Meet the qualifying work experience or Canadian education

      o  One year of work experience in the past three years (minimum 1,560 hours). The                   work experience must be in one occupation but may be with different employers.                 Work experience can be obtained in Canada or outside Canada.

      o  Graduation from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending              community.

· Meet the minimum education requirement (minimum high school). Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization is required for overseas education.

· Have a job offer from one of the designated communities.

· Meet the language threshold for the NOC skill type/level of the job being offered (CLB 6 for NOC 0 and A; CLB 5 for NOC B and CLB 4 for NOC C or D jobs)

· Have sufficient funds to settle and support family in the community. You are exempt from the settlement funds requirement if you are already working legally in Canada at the time of application.

Candidates are recommended by a designated community economic development organization and is based on the candidate’s:

· Intention to live in the designated community.

· Job offers and the community’s economic needs.

· Work experience and skills.

· Ties to the community.

If you have a job offer from one of the designated communities, we may help you throughout the application process (e.g., applying for work permit, extension, and permanent residency).