The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is an economic pilot program designed to target and bring new skilled worker immigrants to smaller Canadian communities. This federal immigration pilot program is designed to help smaller communities facing serious labour shortages. The applicants are required to obtain a recommendation from a participating community and a job offer from an employer of the same community.
Applicants are also required to meet of the federal government eligibility requirements and the Community specific requirements. Eligibility requirements include minimum education, work experience, language proficiency, and settlement fund requirements Applicants must also come up with a clear intention to settle in that community on permanent basis.
Federal Government Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must have one year of continuous full or part-time work experience (1,560 hours) in the last three years. The work experience must be in one occupation and must include most of the main duties and all of the essential duties listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Applicants must meet the following minimum language requirements for each NOC category.
- NOC 0 and A: CLB/NCLC 6
- NOC B: CLB/NCLC 5
- NOC C and D: CLB/NCLC 4
Educational Requirements
Applicants are required to have a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential supported by a valid educational credential assessment (ECA) report issued by the designated assessor.
Settlement Funds
Candidates must prove they have enough money to support themselves and family members while they get settled in their community. This includes family members who may not be coming to Canada.
Community-Specific Requirements
Every participating community has its own set of community-specific requirements. To know the details, please visit the website of each community to research community-specific requirements
List of RNIP Participating Communities
- 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 BC