Rural & Northern Immigration
Rural And Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) Program
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program, which was launched in June 2019. It is aimed to expand the positive impacts of economic immigration to smaller communities by offering a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who wish to work and reside in one of the participating communities.
Canada is in desperate need of skilled workers due to declining birth rates and early retirement. Despite the fact that a large number of skilled immigrants are moving to the Great White North, nearly 70% of them settle in urban provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, leaving large gaps in rural communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must have at least one year of cumulative work experience in the last three years, or you must have graduated from a public post-secondary institution in the chosen community.
- You will be required to take a language proficiency test in either French or English to prove your competence to communicate effectively in your job and community.
- Educational requirements include a Canadian high school diploma or an educational credential assessment (ECA), with additional credentials required depending on the job specifications.
- Evidence that you have the financial means to relocate yourself and any dependents to the community.
- To take part in the pilot, you must have the intention to live and work in the community.
- In addition to the federal eligibility criteria mentioned above, each community will have its own set of specific requirements that you must meet.
Process
- To be eligible for the RNIP program, initially you must search a job
- Post receiving valid job offer, you need to create a profile in that specific participating communities to receive a Community Recommendation Letter
- If your application is accepted, you will be given a Community Recommendation Letter, which you can use to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Communities Participating In RNIP Program
| Community | Province |
|---|---|
| North Bay | Ontario |
| Sudbury | Ontario |
| Timmins | Ontario |
| Sault Ste. Marie | Ontario |
| Thunder Bay | Ontario |
| Brandon | Manitoba |
| Altona/Rhineland | Manitoba |
| Moose Jaw | Saskatchewan |
| Claresholm | Alberta |
| Vernon | British Columbia |
| West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson) | British Columbia |
DISCLAIMER: The RNIP Community and IRCC both take fraud and misrepresentation extremely seriously. Any firm or individual proven to be falsifying themselves or cheating the system, as well as any linked parties, shall be barred from submitting a recommendation for the specific duration of the program.
- Submission of fraudulent documents
- Accepting or offering money for a job offer
- Intentionally misleading the Community
- All decisions made by the Community are final and not subject to appeal.
- Receiving a recommendation from the Community does not guarantee permanent residence; IRCC has sole authority to approve or refuse any or all applications for permanent residency.