How to Immigrate to Canada through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

Advertisement

How does the RNIP works? who can apply? and what are the benefits of immigrating to Canada through this pilot?.

What is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

The RNIP is a five-year federal immigration pilot that started in 2019 and will end in 2024. It is designed to test innovative approaches to permanent immigration in rural and northern communities that have specific economic and demographic needs.

The pilot involves 11 participating communities across Canada, each with its own additional eligibility requirements, job search process and community recommendation application process. These communities are:

• 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 (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC

The RNIP is not a provincial nominee program (PNP), which means that applicants do not need a provincial nomination certificate to apply. However, some communities may have agreements with their provinces to align their RNIP streams with existing PNP streams.

The RNIP is also not an Express Entry program, which means that applicants do not need to create an Express Entry profile or meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to apply. However, some communities may use Express Entry as a tool to select candidates for recommendation.

How does the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot work?

The RNIP has four main steps for applicants who want to immigrate to Canada through this pilot:

1. Check that you meet both the IRCC eligibility requirements and the community-specific requirements.
2. Find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
3. Once you have a job offer, submit your application for recommendation to the community.
4. If a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence to IRCC.

Each step has its own criteria and procedures that applicants must follow carefully. We will explain each step in more detail below.

Step 1: Check that you meet both the IRCC eligibility requirements and the community-specific requirements

To be eligible for the RNIP, you must meet the following IRCC eligibility requirements:

• Have qualifying work experience or have graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community
• Meet or exceed the language requirements
• Meet or exceed the educational requirements
• Prove you have enough money to support your transition into the community
• Intend to live in the community
• Have temporary resident status (if you are in Canada when you apply)

You must also meet the community-specific requirements that each participating community has set for its own RNIP stream. These requirements may include:

• Having a job offer in a specific occupation or sector
• Having a minimum level of work experience or education
• Having a connection to the community (such as family, friends or previous visits)
• Having a settlement plan or an integration support network

You can find more information about the IRCC eligibility requirements here and about the community-specific requirements on each community’s website.

Step 2: Find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities

The next step is to find an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities. The job offer must meet the following criteria:

• Be full-time and non-seasonal (at least 30 hours per week)
• Be for at least 1 year from the date you become a permanent resident
• Be in the same occupation as your work experience
• Meet the minimum wage requirements for the occupation and region

You can find a job in different ways, such as:

• Using online job boards or websites
• Contacting employers directly or through a recruitment agency
• Attending job fairs or networking events
• Applying for jobs posted by the community

Each community has its own job search process and may provide additional support or guidance to help you find a suitable job. You can check each community’s website for more information.

Step 3: Once you have a job offer, submit your application for recommendation to the community

Once you have a job offer that meets the criteria, you can submit your application for recommendation to the community. This is a crucial step in the RNIP process, as you need a community recommendation to apply for permanent residence.

A community recommendation is a letter issued by the designated community organization that confirms that you meet the RNIP requirements and that you are a good fit for the community. Each community has its own application process and criteria for issuing recommendations. Some communities may charge a fee for processing your application.

To apply for a community recommendation, you will need to provide documents such as:

• A copy of your job offer letter
• Proof of your work experience or education
• Proof of your language proficiency
• Proof of your funds
• Proof of your connection or intention to live in the community
• A settlement plan or an integration support network

You may also need to complete an interview with the community organization or attend an orientation session. The community organization will assess your application and decide whether to recommend you or not. The decision may take several weeks or months, depending on the community and the number of applications.

If you receive a community recommendation, you will have 90 days to submit your application for permanent residence to IRCC. If you do not receive a community recommendation, you can try to apply again with another community or another immigration program.

Step 4: If a community recommends you, apply for permanent residence to IRCC

The final step is to apply for permanent residence to IRCC. You will need to complete an online application form and upload all the required documents, such as:

• A copy of your community recommendation letter
• A copy of your valid job offer letter
• Proof of your identity and status
• Proof of your work experience or education
• Proof of your language proficiency
• Proof of your funds
• Police certificates and medical exams

You will also need to pay the application fees, which include:

• The processing fee ($825 per adult, $225 per child)
• The right of permanent residence fee ($500 per adult, no fee for children)
• The biometrics fee ($85 per person or $170 per family)

You can check the current processing times and status of your application on IRCC’s website. If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable). You will need to present these documents when you arrive in Canada and settle in your new community.

What are the benefits of immigrating to Canada through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

There are many benefits of immigrating to Canada through the RNIP, both for you and for the participating communities. Some of these benefits are:

• You can apply for permanent residence without having to go through Express Entry or provincial nomination programs, which may have higher requirements or longer processing times.
• You can choose from a variety of occupations and sectors that are in demand in rural and northern regions, which may offer more opportunities and better wages than in urban areas.
• You can enjoy a lower cost of living, a higher quality of life and a closer connection with nature in smaller communities that have unique cultures and histories.
• You can access settlement services and mentoring programs that will help you integrate into your new community and make friends with local residents.
• You can contribute to the economic and social development of rural and northern communities that need more skilled workers and newcomers to address their challenges.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a great option for skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada and live in smaller communities that offer different advantages than big cities. The pilot is also beneficial for participating communities that want to attract and retain more immigrants who can help them grow and prosper.

If you are interested in applying for the RNIP, you should start by checking if you meet the eligibility requirements, finding an eligible job in one of the participating communities, applying for a community recommendation and then applying for permanent residence.