Rural & Northwestern Immigration Pilot

Most foreign nationals looking to immigrate to Canada like to settle in large urban cities, creating a labour shortage in rural and northern communities, therefore, missing out on labour market opportunities and the quality of life found in much smaller communities. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was designed to encourage permanent residence applications from applicants looking to settle in the rural and northern communities and who have the abilities, education, and work experience that will contribute to the Canadian economy.

Mandatory/Minimum Requirements:

Data Source: Notice – Supplementary Information 2020-2023 Immigration Levels Plan – Canada.ca

• Candidates with job offers from participating communities in National Occupation Code (NOC) skill level 0, A, B, C, and D. For more information, see National Occupation Code
• International students who studied in institutions in the participating communities.

Certain steps should be completed before you submit your application.

Determine that you meet the eligibility requirements. You need one year of continuous work experience for at least 1,560 hours in the past 3 years in one occupation for work experience. See exemption to the requirement.

The work experience most include the main duties and all the essential duties listed in your National Occupational Classification (NOC). Most international student who graduated with a  credential from a post-secondary program of  at least 2 years  or A master’s degree or higher are exempted from the work experience criteria.

Language requirements: All applicant must meet the minimum language requirements based on their NOC category of the job offer from the participating community. The official language is English or French. The minimum Canadian Language Benchmark requirements for speaking and listening, reading, and writing in each NOC category are:

• For job offer NOC 0 and A: CLB or NCLC 6
• For job offer NOC B: CLB or NCLC 5
• For job offer NOC C and D: CLB or NCLC 4

Acceptable English language test:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). Note: Register for the CELPIP-General test.
• International English Language Testing System ( IELTS). Book your test at British Council IELTS Online Application. Note: Register for the IELTS English General Training Test.

Acceptable French Language Test:

• Test d’evaluation de français (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français (TCF)

You must submit your results from a designated language test. These results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.

Link to Language requirement.

Meet the education requirements: You must have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate, or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent. If you completed your studies outside Canada, you would need an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your studies are equal to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.

Different designated organizations can help evaluate your credentials.

List of designated organizations for ECA:

• World Education Services
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada.
• Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Services

• Settlement funds:

  • Applicants must submit proof that they have enough money to support themselves and their families after they arrive in Canada unless they are already working legally in Canada when they apply. Follow this link to view the most up to date funds required. Find below a breakdown of the minimum funds you must have to immigrate to Canada.

  Number of family members	Amount of funds required
  1	$8,922
  2	$11,107
  3	$13,654
  4	$16,579
  5	$18,803
  6	$21,207
  7 or more	$23,611

  • Job offer: Applicant must have a valid job offer to work in one of the participating communities. The job must be full-time of at least 30 paid hours per week. The job offer must also be at the same skill level, 1 level above or 1 level below the NOC that matches your work experience. Learn more about job offer.
  • Apply for community recommendation after getting a job offer. The general requirements for all participating communities are proving that you meet all the Rural & Northern Immigration pilot requirements and that you have an eligible job offer. Each community has its recommendation process aside from the general requirements. Visit Community websites to find out more.

  Community Website

  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

  • Apply for permanent residence once all the steps above are completed, including getting a community recommendation.

  PAPER – Based application

  • Fill out your application forms entirely on a computer, validate the forms, print out all the forms, including the barcode page, date, and sign the forms. Get the instructions guide and document checklist to guide you through the filling process of your application.
  • Pay your application fees. The estimated cost per Adult is $1,325 per Adult. Follow the link to make payment for your application, print the receipt of payment, and attached it to your document. See the break down below:

  Fees	Canadian dollar
  Application Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	1,325
  Application without right of permanent residence fee	$825
  Spouse or partner Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	$1,325
  Spouse or partner without right of permanent residence fee	$825
  Include a dependant child	$225 (per child)

  See the breakdown of the fee.

  • Submit your application by mailing it to the mailing address.

  Biometrics:

  Applicants may be required to give their biometrics for permanent residence applications. You must give your fingerprints and photos.  Visit this link to learn more about how to give your Biometrics. Estimated Cost – $85 Individual, $170 Family.

The Honourable Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced changes to make the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) on December 14, 2020. These changes will make it more flexible for applicants to apply under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). To learn more about the changes, read the news release.

References

• IRCC Website on Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot – Canada.ca
• Minister Mendicino announces increased flexibility in Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and welcomes practical nurses –ca