Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

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Overview

The RCIP is a permanent residence (PR) pathway designed to offer skilled foreign workers the opportunity to settle in Canada permanently, while filling key labour shortages in Canada’s rural and developing communities.

In addition to meeting other eligibility criteria, foreign nationals can only apply for PR through this pathway if they have:

• A job offer from an employer in one of the 14 participating communities; and
• An endorsement from an economic development organization in the community, that has partnered with Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the RCIP.
   

Who is eligible to apply under the RCIP?

To be eligible to apply under the RCIP, candidates must:

• Hold a valid job offer from a designated employer within a participating community.
• Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience within the last three years.
  • Candidates who studied are graduated within the community that is nominating them may be exempt from the work requirement, provided that their education meets all other conditions*
• Demonstrate language proficiency by completing an approved language test.
• Possess a Canadian educational credential or an equivalent foreign credential.
• Show that they have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family as you settle in the community.

Work experience requirements

Work experience must:

• Match a skill level that aligns with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category of the job offer;
• Cover the activities outlined in the description of the NOC of the offered job; and
• Include most of the main duties listed for that occupation. 

Education requirements

Requirements for education credentials under the RCIP differ based on where a foreign national completes their education:

Required settlement funds

The funds required under the RCIP is based on the number of people in a candidate's family. 

* Work Experience Exemption for Graduates Who Studied in the Community

You are not required to meet the work experience requirement if you are an international student who graduated from a public post-secondary institution in the community with:

• An eligible credential from a program that lasted two years or more, and you:
  • Studied full-time throughout the entire program
  • Received your credential no more than 18 months before applying for permanent residence
  • Lived in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months while studying
• A master’s degree or higher that was completed in two years or less, and you:
  • Studied full-time for the duration of your degree
  • Received your degree no more than 18 months before applying for permanent residence
  • Were present in the community for the entire length of your studies

This exemption does not apply to international graduates if your credential comes from a program where:

• More than half of the program involved studying English or French
• More than half of the program was completed through distance learning
• You were awarded a scholarship or fellowship that requires you to return to your home country to apply what you learned

What counts as an eligible credential?
An eligible credential refers to a degree, diploma, certificate, trade, or apprenticeship credential earned from a publicly funded Canadian post-secondary institution located in the recommending community.

Participating communities

14 communities from around Canada were chosen to participate in the RCIP. These are detailed in the table below:

Each community is also in charge of announcing the occupations and employers who are eligible to participate in the pilot program.

Below are the occupations and employers thus far announced for the RCIP communities. This page will continue to be updated as more details are announced.

Eligible occupations and employers 

How to Apply – Rural Community Immigration Pilot

1. Secure a Job Offer
   Get a job offer from a designated employer in one of the participating communities. Visit the community’s website to view eligible employers.
2. Obtain a Community Recommendation
   Your employer will submit your recommendation application to the community. The community will verify that:
   • The job offer is genuine and in a priority sector or occupation
   • You meet all pilot eligibility criteria
3. Apply for Permanent Residence
   If recommended by the community, you may apply for permanent residence through the online Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.
4. Prepare Your Application
   Use the document checklist to gather all required forms and documents. Ensure that:
   • All forms are fully completed and signed
   • All questions are answered truthfully
5. Pay Your Fees
   Pay your application fee online (from $1,525) and include the payment receipt in your application.
6. Submit Your Application
   Upload your signed forms and supporting documents. Incomplete applications will be rejected and must be corrected and re-submitted.

Contact Cohen Immigration Law for assistance

Cohen Immigration Law is a leading Canadian immigration law firm with over 45 years of experience. Cohen Immigration Law features over 60 immigration lawyers, paralegals, and professionals who are dedicated to helping you immigrate to Canada.

CanadaVisa.com was founded as the online presence of Cohen Immigration Law. Since its launch in 1994, CanadaVisa has grown into one of the globe's most trusted resources on Canadian immigration. If you want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry or another skilled worker pathway, the first step is to complete a free CanadaVisa assessment form. If you are eligible for Canadian immigration, a member of the Cohen Immigration Law team will reach out to provide you with as much assistance as possible.

Complete our FREE assessment to find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration!