The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program was introduced to provide the benefits of economic immigration to the communities that are smaller. It will help to create a way for skilled workers to become citizens of Canada and permanent residents.
On June 2019, this program was launched to strengthen the smaller communities in rural areas. Skilled foreign workers who want Canadian citizenship and immigration can apply.
Canada has always motivated visa applications from immigrants for permanent residency in Canada for those candidates who have capabilities, qualifications, and work experience, which will contribute to uplifting the economy of Canada. The RNIP is an economic pilot program attracted to foreign workers who want permanent resident status and are recommended by a participating community and Provided a job offer too in the same community. Those who were educated and have work experience and moreover want to settle there can apply under this program. The processing time of applications can vary.
About the process
4 steps are required to apply for Canadian permanent residency under this program
- You have to fulfill both requirements such as IRCC eligibility and community-specific requirements.
- You must have a job in one participating community.
- After getting a work offer you are required to submit your application form for guidance to the community.
- If you will get the counsel from a community then you can apply for permanent residence. Every community may have its own.
Participating communities
This pilot for Canadian permanent residents will launch in different communities that are participating at different times.
- Sudbury in the province of Ontario
- North Bay community in the province of Ontario
- Timmins is a participating community in the province of Ontario
- Thunder Bay in the Canadian province of Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario
- Brandon the Canadian province of Manitoba
- Moose Jaw in the province of Saskatchewan
- Altona/Rhineland in the Canadian province of Manitoba
- Claresholm is a participating community in the program in the province of Alberta
- West Kootenay Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, and Nelson are also participating communities in British Columbia.
- Vernon from British Columbia
What you can expect from a community
It is a community-driven Program, which prefers those candidates who can meet the economic needs of that community.
You must have a job offer that can fulfill the needs of that community. You must also be an individual having the desire to reside in that community. Only then will you be recommended for permanent residence to IRCC.
Who can apply
To move to Canada for immigration through this program, the eligibility criteria for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, you have to fulfill all IRCC requirements. To be eligible:
- You have to complete your graduation from a post-secondary institution.
- You have to fulfill the language requirements.
- You have to fulfill educational requirements
- You have to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial sources to support your needs.
- You are wishing to stay in the community permanently.
Work experience
To migrate to Canada, requirements for work experience and eligibility criteria:
- You must have 1-year work experience of 1,560 hours for 3 years.
- You can calculate and count the hours of job experience.
- You can count working hours in part-time and full-time jobs only.
- The hours will be related to 1 occupation only but with different employers.
- The hours must be calculated for the time period of 12 months.
- Work hours can be calculated while staying in Canada or outside Canada.
- You can not count hours for volunteering or unpaid internships.
- You can’t count hours if you are employed by yourself.
- Your main work will be mentioned in your National Occupational Classification.
International students
The criteria for an international student who graduated with
- You received a credential with a post-secondary program of 2 years of study duration and you had completed your education as a full-time student with 2 years of duration.
- You received a degree or certification or diploma in the eighteen months of the duration before you apply for permanent residency in Canada.
- You were living in the same community for at least 16 months out of the last 24 months and you are studying there to get your degree.
- While doing your master’s degree you were a full-time student when you completed your degree.
- You have received your degree in 18 months’ time while you apply for permanent residency.
- You were living in the same community during your studies.
Skill level
The job offer you get must be the same as your skill and it may be 1 level up or 1 level down and you require the NOC for your work experience.
- For skill type ‘0’ work offer you require job experience in NOC 0 to A
- For skill type ‘A’ work offer your job experience will be in NOC 0, A, or B
- For skill type ‘B’ work offer you require the job experience in NOC A, B, or C
- For the NOC skill type ‘C’ work offer you require the job experience in NOC B or C
- For the NOC skill type ‘D’ work offer you require the job experience in the same occupation
You have to submit an Offer of Employment under the Rural and Northern Immigration program. Your employer will complete your form and send it back to you its copy along with your application attached with it. You have to read it carefully and then sign the declaration form.
Language requirements
You require a minimum language based on the NOC by which you can apply for a job in the community. You must require Canadian Language Benchmark CLB or NCLC. You have to submit your language test results and which will be less than 2 years old at the time of applying.
Educational requirements
- You need a diploma from a Canadian secondary school.
- A post-secondary education certificate or diploma from a Canadian school.
- You need an educational credential assessment ECA, from a professional organization that proves that you have done foreign credential that is equal to Canadian secondary school education.
Settlement funds
At the time of applying, you have to prove that you have sufficient money to fulfill your and your family’s needs until you settle in the community.
Job offer requirements
- You are required to have a full-time job.
- That has to mean you work for 30 hours that are paid every week.
- The job you are doing must be on a regular basis and paid employment.
- Your job should be permanent.
One year work permit
If you are applying for Canadian permanent residence through this Pilot, you may be eligible for a work permit that has a validity of one year. By getting the work permit you can work in Canada while your application for permanent residency is being under process.
To be eligible for this work permit, you should have the below-mentioned.
- You must have a job offer from an employer
- You should be recommended by a participating community
- You should be eligible for a work permit
These are the only requirements for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. It stays valid for only one year. You are eligible to work for an employer in the participating community.
Work permit for spouse
Below are some documents that you need for the application.
- A job offer number.
- You need a letter of receipt from (RNIP) application for permanent residence.
- You should be recommended by the Economic Development Organization associated with this immigration program.
- You need a work experience certificate.
- You need your qualification degree or diploma.
- Your language efficiency results.
The Canadian government has also introduced other programs such as the Express Entry Program and the Provincial Nominee Programs to help those immigrating to Canada gain permanent residency in Canada, permanent resident status and become Canadian citizens. Special programs are also available for Canadian immigrants who are international students, foreign workers, temporary residents, and skilled workers under the Provincial Nominee Program.
So do not delay any longer. Find out from your Immigration consultant if you are eligible for permanent residence in Canada and Canadian citizenship according to the Canadian Immigration Law, and grab the chance to immigrate to Canada today!