The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a community-led program that offers a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers with job offers in designated rural areas. Designed to address labor shortages and support population growth outside major cities, the RCIP helps smaller communities attract and retain talent. Immigrants benefit from lower living costs, a strong sense of community, and career growth opportunities in a high-quality living environment.
Objectives of RCIP
- Encourage economic immigration in rural regions.
- Support population growth and labor market needs.
- Foster successful integration and retention of newcomers.
- Promote long-term settlement in participating communities.
Program Requirements
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 valid job offer from a designated employer in the community
- Have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 years
Work Experience: Work experience must be at a skill level related to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category of your job offer, include the actions listed in the description of your NOC, include most of the main duties.
- If your Job offer is TEER 0 or 1- Your work experience must be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- If your Job offer is TEER 2- Your work experience must be in TEER 0, 1, 2,3 or 4.
- If your Job offer is TEER 3 or 4- Your work experience must be in TEER 2, 3 or 3.
- If your Job offer is TEER 5- Your work experience must be in the same 5 digit NOC code
Exception for healthcare workers – If your work experience is in NOC 31301 (Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses – TEER 1), you can have a job offer in one of the following occupation categories:
- NOC 33102 (TEER 3): Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates or
- NOC 44101 (TEER 4): Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations.
Work experience exemption if you studied and graduated in the community- You don’t need to meet the work experience requirement if you’re an international student who graduated from a public post-secondary school in the community and meet certain other conditions.
- Meet the language threshold for the NOC skill type/level of the job being offered (CLB 6 for TEER 0 and 1; CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 and CLB 4 for TEER 4 and 5 jobs)
- Meet the minimum education requirement (minimum high school). Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization is required for overseas education.
- Have sufficient funds to settle and support family in the community.
- Intent to Reside: Demonstrated intention to live permanently in the sponsoring community.
- Community Recommendation: Candidates must receive a recommendation from the participating community based on their job offer, integration potential, and community ties.
Participating Communities in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
The following communities are participating in the RCIP:
- Pictou County, Nova Scotia
- North Bay, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Timmins, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Steinbach, Manitoba
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm, Alberta
- West Kootenay, British Columbia
- North Okanagan Shuswap, British Columbia
- Peace Liard, British Columbia
Application Process
- Find a Job: Secure a job offer from an approved employer in a participating community.
- Apply for Community Recommendation: Submit an application to the local economic development office.
- Receive a Recommendation: If successful, you’ll get a community recommendation to apply for PR.
- Apply for Permanent Residence: Submit your PR application to IRCC along with your recommendation letter.
- Work While You Wait: Eligible applicants may apply for a temporary work permit while waiting for a decision on their PR.