The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was established in 2019 as a means to promote economic development in designated rural and northern regions of Canada by attracting and retaining highly skilled workers. This program encompasses communities in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
Canada has a reputation for welcoming a high volume of immigrants, however, the current immigration system often results in a concentration of newcomers in major metropolitan areas such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. In an effort to address this imbalance, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was initiated to assist smaller communities in attracting and supporting the settlement of new immigrants. This pilot program extends an invitation to rural and northern communities to apply for participation and upon acceptance, receive support from the Federal Government to identify and recruit suitable candidates for permanent residency. These newcomers are expected to make a significant contribution to the economic development of the participating communities.
The RNIP builds upon the successes of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program (AIP), which was launched in 2017. The AIP is geared towards increasing immigration to Canada’s Atlantic Region through the pairing of potential newcomers with employers in the region.
Communities Selected for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
As of June 2019, eleven communities have been selected to participate in the pilot program. These communities will receive a comprehensive array of supports and programs to facilitate the testing of the pilot.
The selected communities are:
Ontario:
Manitoba:
Saskatchewan:
Alberta:
British Columbia:
Who can apply for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?
To be considered eligible for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), individuals must meet the following criteria:
Individuals who meet these eligibility requirements may then proceed to seek out eligible job opportunities within the participating community.
Job offer requirements to be eligible for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
To be considered for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), an individual must have a job offer that meets the following criteria:
It is important to note that the job offer must be genuine and not created specifically to facilitate the individual’s immigration process. Additionally, the job offer must align with the community’s specific requirements.
Apply for a 1-year work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) offers eligible candidates the opportunity to apply for a 1-year work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed. In order to qualify for this work permit, individuals must possess an eligible offer of employment from a participating employer, have received a recommendation from a participating community, and be eligible to apply for a work permit, as well as having received an acknowledgement of receipt letter from the RNIP program.
It is important to note that this work permit is exclusively valid for the RNIP program and is limited to a 1-year duration. Additionally, the individual will only be able to work for the employer who offered them the job and must remain within the participating community. Spouses or common-law partners may also apply for an open work permit and will also be restricted to working within the same community.
Contact Vizard
If you are interested in learning more about the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and how our immigration firm can assist you in the application process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our team of experienced professionals will be happy to provide you with guidance and support throughout every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your eligibility and options.
