About the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and its latest improvements

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program. Moreover, it’s 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 following communities.

• North Bay, ON
• Sudbury, ON
• Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Thunder Bay, ON
• Brandon, MB
• Altona/Rhineland, MB
• Moose Jaw, SK
• Claresholm, AB
• Vernon, BC, also
• West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC

The latest improvements to the RNIP:

On August 2022, The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, announced 6 new improvements for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). According to the Minister, increasing the benefits of immigration in the RNIP will support community partners, employers and candidates by:

• expanding the geographic boundaries of 7 out of 11 participating communities, so more employers are able to participate:
  • North Bay (Ont.),
  • Sudbury (Ont.),
  • Timmins (Ont.),
  • Thunder Bay (Ont.),
  • Moose Jaw (Sask.),
  • West Kootenay (BC) and
  • Vernon (BC)
• making it easier to fill labour market needs in the health care and trades sectors, by expanding the range of job offers available to candidates, with specific work experience
• allowing communities to participate for a longer period, until August 2024, when the pilot comes to an end
• helping community partners provide greater support to candidates and employers
• reducing the amount of settlement funds participants are required to have
• strengthening program integrity

These improvements, based on the recommendations of community partners, will be implemented this fall. Also, According to the IRCC announcement, the changes take another step in promoting growth in smaller and rural communities across Canada.

With expanded geographic boundaries, the RNIP will support more employers in filling crucial labour market needs.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – August 26, 2022

Steps to applying for permanent residence under the RNIP:

There are 4 steps to applying for permanent residence under this pilot.

1. Candidates have to check if they meet both: IRCC eligibility requirements and the community-specific requirements.
2. Then, they need to find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
3. Once they have a job offer, they must submit their application for recommendation to the community.
4. If a community recommends them, they can apply for permanent residence.

Please be aware that each community will also have its own:

• additional eligibility requirements
• job search process, and
• community recommendation application process

You can check more information about the Communities for Rural and Northern Immigration and its Basic Requirements in the following article:

• Rural and Northern Immigration Canada

RNIP Important Facts:

• Rural communities employ over 4 million Canadians and account for almost 30% of the GDP. They also help to supply food, water and energy to urban centres. Of course, this sustains the industries that contribute to Canada’s prosperous economy.
• 1,130 immigrants have entered RNIP communities as of June 30, 2022. These immigrants have been assisting with labour shortages in critical industries, such as health care, hospitality and food services, retail, manufacturing and transportation.
• In addition, it is estimated that an average of 125 newcomers and their family members could be welcomed into each of the participating communities, every year.
• Moreover, there is a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants, plus family members, whose applications can be accepted for processing under RNIP, in any given year.

Let us help!

If you have general questions about Immigration to Canada, you may fill out the following form. Of course, if you have specific questions, please book an appointment. You may fill out our assessment form as well.

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