Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

Build Your Future in Canada’s Welcoming Rural Communities.

An employer- and community-driven pathway to PR for skilled workers committed to living and working in a designated community.

RCIP connects designated rural communities facing labor shortages with qualified foreign workers and provides a clear route to Permanent Residence for you and your family.

Who it’s for

Skilled workers with a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in a participating rural community.

Why choose RCIP

Community support, local integration, and a streamlined PR pathway outside the national CRS competition.

Eligibility (High Level)

  • Job Offer: Full-time, permanent, non-seasonal from a designated employer
  • Work Experience: ≥ 1 year (1,560 hours) in last 3 years (graduate exemptions may apply)
  • Education: Canadian high school or ECA equivalent
  • Language: CLB 4–6, depending on NOC TEER
  • Funds: Sufficient settlement funds (unless already working in Canada)
  • Intent to Reside: Genuine intention to live and work in the recommending community

Steps

  1. 1 Secure a valid employment contract from a designated employer.
  2. 2 Employer requests a community recommendation based on local criteria.
  3. 3 Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence; optionally apply for a work permit while PR is in process.

Participating Communities (Examples)

Pictou County

Nova Scotia (NS)

Active rural hub with healthcare, trades, and service roles.

North Bay / Sudbury / Timmins

Ontario (ON)

Mining, trades, healthcare, and retail supervision in demand.

Thunder Bay

Ontario (ON)

Healthcare, hospitality, and skilled trades opportunities.

Brandon / Altona-Rhineland / Steinbach

Manitoba (MB)

Food processing, logistics, retail, and admin roles common.

Moose Jaw

Saskatchewan (SK)

Manufacturing, trades, service, and healthcare roles.

West Kootenay / N. Okanagan-Shuswap / Peace Liard

British Columbia (BC)

Hospitality, construction, and tech support roles appear often.

Note: Community participation and priorities update periodically—check the latest local criteria.

Priority Occupations (Examples)

Trades Healthcare Technology Hospitality & Retail Business & Admin

Trades

  • Carpenters
  • Plumbers
  • Electricians

Healthcare

  • Pharmacists
  • Licensed Practical Nurses
  • Personal Support Workers

Technology

  • Software Developers
  • Cybersecurity Specialists

Hospitality & Retail

  • Cooks
  • Food Service Managers
  • Retail Supervisors

Business & Admin

  • Accounting Technicians
  • Bookkeepers

Yes. RCIP is employer-driven and requires a full-time, permanent, non-seasonal offer from a designated employer in a participating community.

Yes. Your spouse/partner and dependent children can be included in your PR application and may be eligible for open work/study permits while processing.

No. RCIP is community-based and does not rely on national CRS rankings. Communities recommend candidates who meet local labor needs and intend to settle there.

Some communities allow exemptions from the work-experience requirement for eligible graduates of public institutions in the recommending community. Check local criteria.

Let’s Get in Touch

How we can help you
to acheive your goals.

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