The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a Canadian Government scheme designed to help smaller rural communities encourage immigrant skilled workers who are essential to the economic growth of the region.
Community is driven, the participating communities target and invite foreign workers who have skills that are needed, find local job opportunities, and help with settlement and welcome them to the community. There are eligibility requirements for both participating communities and eligible skilled workers.
The following provinces and regions are where the participating communities are located:

  • Ontario – North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay currently participate
  • Manitoba – Brandon and Altona/Rhineland
  • Saskatchewan – Moose Jaw
  • Alberta – Claresholm
  • British Columbia – Vernon and West Kootenay

Community Eligibility

To be eligible for the pilot the community must meet the following criteria:

  • Population of 50,000 or fewer and 75km or more from a major census centre or up to 200,000 but remote from other main population centres
  • Be within Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon
  • Have open jobs and an economic development plan
  • Have a community organization to manage the plan
  • Be fully prepared to welcome immigrants and help them with necessary local services.

Candidate Eligibility

Eligibility for the RNIP is determined according to various factors. These are set by both the federal government and by the community in which they wish to settle. The federal requirements are as follow:

  • Be recommended by one of the participating communities
  • Prove at least a year’s continuous work experience in the past 36 months

If not recommended, the following criteria must be met:

  • Have a job offer to work in one of the designated communities
  • Have graduated from an educational institution in one of the communities
  • Meet the language proficiency requirements for the position
  • Intend to live in the community and have the funding required to settle.

Community recommendations are determined according to the candidate’s intention to settle there, relevant work experience and skills, a job offer that meets the local requirements or ties to the community. Further details are as follows:

Work Experience – one year paid continuous full-time work (self-employment does not count) in the occupation applied for. It can be with more than one employer and can be in countries other than Canada. International students may not need work experience depending upon the skill level of the job.

Education – candidates must have education credentials equivalent to Canadian high school diploma level or higher. Exemption from work experience is granted for those with degree-level qualifications and other participating diplomas.

Job Offer – candidates need a genuine one-year permanent job offer paying at least minimum wage, and to demonstrate they have the relevant skills. The job offer must meet the requirements of the federal government for eligibility.

Language Requirement – depending on the position applied for, applicants must be proficient in English or French to CLB level 4 to 6.

Candidates must also prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves and, where relevant, their family upon moving to Canada. This cannot be borrowed. At present, the minimum for a single person is $8,722 and for a family of 4 is $16.206.