Immigrate to Canada under the RNIP

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven 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 one of the participating communities.

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When applying for permanent residence under this pilot, there are four steps to follow:

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• 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

• of a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence

Each community has its own additional eligibility requirements, job search process and community recommendation application process.

The participating communities include:

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• 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

You must meet all IRCC eligibility requirements to apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program. You must have qualified work experience or have graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community. You must also meet or exceed the language requirements, the educational requirements and prove you have enough money to support your transition into the community. In addition, you must intend to live in the community and meet community-specific requirements.

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If you meet all the requirements, you can start looking for an eligible job in the community. As a candidate, you must have a genuine job offer to work in one of the participating communities. Once you have a job offer, and meets all the requirements, you can apply for a community recommendation.

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As an applicant, make sure you are applying for the right program based on your previous work experience. If you thereby apply for the wrong program and do not have the work experience required for that program, your application for permanent residence will be refused.