A community-driven initiative, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, also referred to as Canada’s RNIP, has been specifically designed with the aim of spreading the benefits of economic immigration to the comparatively smaller communities in Canada.

The RNIP offers a path to Canadian permanent residence for skilled foreign workers that intend working and living in any 1 of the 11 participating communities.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, 2023

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Rural and Northern communities, expanding immigration to create jobs, addressing labor shortages, and helping businesses grow

A number of new improvements will be implemented this fall and will support community partners, employers, and candidates.

Quick Facts:

• • Regional immigration programs, like the RNIP, are increasingly important to the sustainable growth of Canada.
  • The new permanent Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), launched in March 2023, continues to help the Atlantic provinces attract skilled newcomers. To date, 167 confirmed permanent program applications have been received since the launch.
  • The 11 RNIP communities are North Bay (Ont.), Sudbury (Ont.), Timmins, (Ont.), Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.), Thunder Bay (Ont.), Brandon (Man.), Altona/Rhineland (Man.), Moose Jaw (Sask.), Claresholm (Alta.), West Kootenay (BC), and Vernon (BC).
  • As of June 30, 2023, 1,130 newcomers have arrived in RNIP communities, helping address labour shortages in key sectors, such as health care, hospitality and food services, retail, manufacturing, and transportation.
  • It is estimated that an average of 125 newcomers and their family members could be welcomed into each of the participating communities, every year.
  • 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.

In January 2023, the Government of Canada invested $35 million to ensure newcomers settling in small towns and rural communities have access to essential services during their first year in Canada.

Am I eligible for the RNIP?

• Have 1 year of continuous work experience [a minimum of 1,560 hours], within the previous 3 years.
• Have graduated from a publicly-funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community.
• Meet the English language requirements – CLB/NCLC 6 for jobs under NOC 0 and A; CLB/NCLC 5 for jobs under NOC B; and CLB/NCLC 4 for jobs that come under NOC C or D. Here, by ‘NOC’ is implied the National Occupational Classification
• Meet or exceed the educational requirements.
• Possess the Settlement Funds required.
• Have the clear intention of living within the community on being granted permanent residence in Canada.
• Meet the community-specific requirements.
• Have a valid job offer. A potential candidate must have a genuine, full-time, permanent job offer in any 1 of the 11 participating communities.