The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is designed to help skilled workers become permanent residents of Canada by working and settling in participating rural and remote communities. This initiative not only supports local economies but also helps address regional labour shortages by allowing communities to select qualified foreign workers. It replaces the previous Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and was launched at the same time as the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, which has a very similar set of requirements aside from language.
On This Page You Will Find:
- An overview of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and how it works
- Eligibility criteria, including job offer, work experience, and education requirements
- A full list of the 14 participating rural and remote Canadian communities
- Step-by-step information on employer designation and job matching
- Detailed profiles of RCIP communities, priority sectors, and NOC codes
- Special rules for healthcare workers and local graduates
- Frequently asked questions about the RCIP application process
How the RCIP Works
Fourteen Canadian communities are taking part in the RCIP. Each of these communities has demonstrated their ability to support new immigrants and benefit from their skills. These communities are responsible for identifying local employers with labour shortages and approving them to offer jobs to foreign workers.
Participating communities:
- Pictou County, Nova Scotia
- North Bay and Area, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Timmins, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Steinbach, Manitoba
- Altona / Rhineland, Manitoba
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm, Alberta
- West Kootenay, British Columbia
- North Okanagan Shuswap, British Columbia
- Peace Liard, British Columbia
For specific information on community requirements, please see below.
To apply for permanent residence through this pilot, candidates must first secure a job offer from a designated employer within one of these communities.
Who Can Apply
You may be eligible to apply if you:
- Have a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the participating communities
- Have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience within the last 3 years
- Prove your language skills through an approved test
- Have the necessary educational credential
- Show you have enough funds to support your transition and that of your family
Work Experience Requirements
Your work experience must match the skill level and duties described in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The required match depends on the TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) level of your job offer:
- TEER 0 or 1 job offer: Work experience must be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
- TEER 2 job offer: Work experience must be in TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4
- TEER 3 or 4 job offer: Work experience must be in TEER 2, 3 or 4
- TEER 5 job offer: Work experience must be in the same 5-digit NOC code
Special Rules for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers with experience in NOC 31301 (Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses – TEER 1) can receive job offers in related occupations like:
- NOC 33102 (TEER 3): Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 44101 (TEER 4): Home support workers and caregivers
Exemption for Graduates of Local Institutions
You do not need to meet the work experience requirement if you studied full-time in the community and:
- Completed a two-year or longer program, received your credential within the past 18 months, and lived in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months
- Earned a master’s degree (or higher) in two years or less, received the degree within the past 18 months, and lived in the community for the duration of your studies
Note: This exemption does not apply if more than half of your program involved language study or distance learning, or if you are obligated to return home after receiving a scholarship.
Educational Requirements
You must have either:
- A Canadian secondary or post-secondary credential from a designated learning institution
- A foreign credential shown to be equivalent to a Canadian one, as proven by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that is less than five years old
Getting a Job Offer
Before applying for permanent residence, you must first secure a job offer from an approved employer in one of the participating communities. Each community maintains its own list of designated employers, available on their websites.
Employer Requirements for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot
To hire skilled foreign workers under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), employers must be officially designated by one of the participating communities. Designation confirms that the employer meets specific standards and is committed to supporting newcomer integration.
Becoming a Designated Employer
Each RCIP community is responsible for designating employers in their area. Designation also allows employers to hire through the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, if applicable.
To be designated, an employer must:
- Have operated continuously in the participating community for at least two years
- Be in good standing with employment standards and occupational health and safety legislation
- Operate within a priority occupation as defined by the community’s economic development goals
- Conduct at least 75% of their business within the community
- Comply with the federal employer compliance regime
If an employer has recently relocated to the community or is newly established, they may still be designated if the community determines the business has made or will make a significant economic contribution.
Additional Designation Conditions
Designated employers must also:
- Complete free onboarding and intercultural competency training
- Agree to support the settlement and integration of the foreign worker and their family
Who Cannot Be Designated
The following types of employers are not eligible for designation:
- Consulates
- Staffing or employment agencies
- Employers controlled or owned by the candidate or their spouse/common-law partner (including indirect ownership of more than 50%)
- Employers offering work in adult services (e.g. striptease, escort services, erotic massage)
- Employers with non-genuine job offers
- Businesses with unpaid administrative penalties
- Businesses owned by licensed immigration representatives
These criteria help ensure that job offers are genuine and that both the employer and community are well-positioned to support the newcomer’s success.
RCIP Communities
1. Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Community Lead:
Pictou County Partnership, the region’s main economic development agency, manages the RCIP in Pictou County. This initiative supports both workforce growth and community integration, offering newcomers a long-term path to permanent residence.
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP in Pictou County helps local employers fill critical roles that match the area’s specific labour needs. It also focuses on ensuring newcomers thrive in the community through settlement supports and integration initiatives – described by the Partnership as offering a warm “community hug.”
Designated Area:
To be eligible, employers must operate within the official Pictou County RCIP boundaries, which include:
- Pictou Landing First Nation
- Municipality of Pictou County
- Towns of New Glasgow, Pictou, Stellarton, Trenton, and Westville
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Business, finance, and administration
- Health occupations
- Sales and services
- Trades, transport, and equipment operators
- Manufacturing
Priority Occupations (2025):
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers – 12200
- Data scientists – 21211
- Cybersecurity specialists – 21220
- Business systems specialists – 21221
- Database analysts and administrators – 21223
- Software developers and programmers – 21232
- Pharmacists – 31120
- Pharmacy technicians – 32124
- Pharmacy assistants – 33103
- Restaurant and food service managers – 60030*
- Retail sales supervisors – 62010*
- Cooks – 63200*
- Sheet metal workers – 72102
- Telecom equipment technicians – 72205
- Plumbers – 72300
- Carpenters – 72310
- Auto service and repair technicians – 72410
- Drywall installers and finishers – 73102
- Roofers and shinglers – 73110
- Installers and servicers – 73200
- Printing press operators – 73401
- Supervisors, forest products processing – 92014
- Woodworking machine operators – 94124
- Other wood processing machine operators – 94129
Rubber processing machine operators – 94112
2. North Bay and Area, Ontario
Community Lead:
North Bay and Area’s RCIP program is developed in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to support local workforce stability and address regional labour shortages. The program focuses on connecting employers with skilled immigrants who plan to settle in the region long-term.
Pilot Goals:
The North Bay and Area RCIP is an employer-driven initiative that helps fill local vacancies that cannot be met by the existing labour force. The program aims to strengthen community resilience and promote economic growth by targeting critical employment gaps.
Designated Area:
Employers must operate within North Bay and surrounding areas, as defined by the local RCIP boundaries. Designation is based on eligibility and the employer’s capacity to offer genuine jobs in priority occupations.
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Business, finance, and administration
- Health
- Education, law, and social, community, and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
Note: Fast food and retail occupations, including jobs in convenience stores and gas stations, are currently excluded from the program. Occupation codes are reviewed annually.
Priority Occupations (2025):
- Financial auditors and accountants – 11100
- Human resources professionals – 11200
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers – 12200
- Administrative assistants – 13110
- Banking, insurance, and financial clerks – 14201
- Shippers and receivers – 14400
- Licensed practical nurses – 32101
- Dental assistants and lab assistants – 33100
- Nurse aides and patient service associates – 33102
- Pharmacy technical and pharmacy assistants – 33103
- Social and community service workers – 42201
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants – 43100
- Home support workers and caregivers – 44101
- Corporate sales managers – 60010
- Hotel front desk clerks – 64314
- Security guards and related occupations – 64410
- Machinists and tooling inspectors – 72100
- Welders and related machine operators – 72106
- Electricians – 72200
- Carpenters (including apprentices) – 72310
- Heating, refrigeration, and A/C mechanics – 72402
- Aircraft mechanics and inspectors – 72404
- Automotive service and mechanical repair technicians – 72410
- Construction trade helpers and labourers – 75110
North Bay and Area’s RCIP streamlines immigration by placing skilled newcomers in meaningful employment, supporting their success in the community while addressing real economic needs.
3. Sudbury, Ontario
Community Lead:
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) in Greater Sudbury are managed by the City of Greater Sudbury’s Economic Development division. These programs are funded by FedNor, the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, and the City itself.
Pilot Goals:
Sudbury’s RCIP and FCIP aim to address local labour shortages by attracting international workers who intend to settle in the region long term. In addition to supporting community growth, these pilots provide a pathway to permanent residence and an LMIA-exempt work permit for qualified candidates.
Program Status:
As of now, both RCIP and FCIP in Greater Sudbury are in the development phase. Applications are not yet being accepted, but a program launch is expected later this spring.
Designated Area:
The RCIP applies to Greater Sudbury and surrounding communities, as defined by the City’s jurisdiction and program guidelines.
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Natural and Applied Sciences
- Health
- Education, Social, Community and Government Services
- Trades and Transport
- Natural Resources and Agriculture
Priority Occupations (2025):
12200 – Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
13110 – Administrative Assistants
21330 – Mining Engineers
21301 – Mechanical Engineers
21331 – Geological Engineers
22300 – Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
22301 – Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
22310 – Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
31202 – Physiotherapists
31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
32101 – Licensed practical nurses
32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
33100 – Dental Assistants
42201 – Social and Community Service Workers
42202 – Early Childhood Educators and assistants
44101 – Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and related occupations
72401 – Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics
72410 – Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers
72106 – Welders and Related Machine Operators
72400 – Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
73400 – Heavy Equipment Operators
75110 – Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
73300 – Truck Drivers
95100 – Labourers in Metal Processing
4. Timmins, Ontario
Community Lead:
The Timmins Regional Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) are led by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) in partnership with multiple community stakeholders.
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP and FCIP aim to address labour shortages by allowing skilled workers to gain permanent residence while building their lives in Timmins. The pilots focus on matching qualified international talent with local employers in key sectors where workforce gaps exist.
Designated Area:
The pilot applies to the City of Timmins and surrounding regional areas as defined by TEDC. Employers must operate within these zones and meet eligibility requirements tied to sector and occupation.
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Health
- Education and social, community and government services
- Trades and transport
- Natural resources and agriculture
- Business, finance and administration
Priority Occupations (2025):
- Financial advisors – 11102
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers – 12200
- Administrative officers – 13100*
- Geological and mineral technologists and technicians – 22101*
- Metallurgical and materials engineers – 21322*
- Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses – 31301
- Licensed practical nurses – 32101
- Veterinary technicians and animal health technologists – 32104
- Medical laboratory technologists – 32120
- Nurse aides and patient service associates – 33102
- Elementary school and kindergarten teachers – 41221
- Social and community service workers – 42201
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
- Home support workers and caregivers – 44101
- Welders and machine operators – 72106
- Industrial electricians – 72201
- Millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401
- Automotive service and repair technicians – 72410
- Transport truck drivers – 73300
- Heavy equipment operators – 73400
- Parts installers and servicers – 74203
- Construction trades helpers and labourers – 75110
- Underground miners – 83100
- Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing – 95103
*Occupations unique to the RCIP
Excluded Occupations:
The following are not eligible under the Trades and Transport sector:
- Dispatchers employed by taxi companies – 14404
- Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs – 75200
5. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Community Lead:
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in Sault Ste. Marie is managed by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.
Pilot Goals:
RCIP in Sault Ste. Marie supports economic development by helping local employers recruit and retain skilled workers. It offers a permanent residence pathway to foreign workers who intend to live and work in the community long term. The pilot is designed to address regional labour shortages and strengthen the city’s workforce capacity.
Designated Area:
The program applies to businesses and employers operating within Sault Ste. Marie’s municipal boundaries. Employer designation is required and tied to priority occupations and sectors.
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
- Manufacturing and utilities
Priority Occupations (2025):
Health Occupations:
- Pharmacy Technicians – 32124
- Registered Nurses and Psychiatric Nurses – 31301
- Licensed Practical Nurses – 32101
- Personal Support Workers – 33102
Education, Law, and Social, Community and Government Services:
- Therapists in counselling and related therapies – 41301
- Social and community service workers – 42201
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
Sales and Service:
- Food service supervisors (hotels and dine-in restaurants only) – 62020*
- Guest service supervisors (hotels only) – 62022*
- Security guard supervisors – 62029*
Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators:
- Mechanical engineers – 21301
- Electrical and electronics engineers – 21310
- Drafting technologists and technicians – 22212
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians – 22301
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians – 22310
- Machining and metal trades supervisors – 72010
- Electrical trades and telecom supervisors – 72011
- Construction trades supervisors – 72014
- Industrial electricians – 72201
- Transit operators – 73301
- Machinists and tooling inspectors – 72100
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
- Aircraft instrument and avionics technicians – 72404
- Trade helpers and labourers – 75119
Manufacturing and Utilities:
- Production workers – 94107
Special Caps and Intake Limits (2025):
- 62020 – Food service supervisors: 25 total annually, maximum of 2 per employer; hotels and dine-in restaurants only
- 62022 – Guest service supervisors: 10 total annually; hotels only
- 62029 – Security guard supervisors: 20 total annually
6. Thunder Bay, Ontario
Community Lead:
The Thunder Bay Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is administered by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP in Thunder Bay is designed to help local employers attract and retain skilled workers by providing a pathway to permanent residence. The program is tailored to meet local workforce needs while making Thunder Bay a welcoming and prosperous destination for newcomers.
Designated Area:
The RCIP applies to employers operating within the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Businesses must be designated by the CEDC to use the program, either to retain an existing foreign national worker or to recruit a new one.
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Business, finance, and administration
- Health occupations
- Education, law, social, community, and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades, transport, and equipment operation
Priority Occupations (2025):
- Financial advisors – 11102
- Administrative assistants – 13110
- General office support workers – 14100
- Kinesiologists and related therapists – 31204
- Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses – 31301
- Licensed practical nurses – 32101
- Nurse aides and orderlies – 33102
- Pharmacy assistants – 33103
- Social workers – 41300
- Therapists in counselling – 41301
- Social and community service workers – 42201
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
- Home support workers and caregivers – 44101
- Retail and wholesale trade managers – 60020
- Retail sales supervisors – 62010
- Food service supervisors – 62020
- Cooks – 63200
- Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers – 64100
- Store shelf stockers and clerks – 65102
- Food counter attendants and kitchen helpers – 65201
- Light duty cleaners – 65310
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
- Automotive and mechanical repair technicians – 72410
- Heavy equipment operators – 73400
- Construction trades helpers and labourers – 75110
7. Steinbach, Manitoba
Community Lead:
The Steinbach Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is managed by the Steinbach Economic Development Corporation (SED), the primary driver of the city’s economic and workforce development.
Pilot Goals:
Steinbach’s RCIP addresses critical labour shortages by enabling local employers to hire qualified foreign workers. It supports long-term economic growth in the region while giving newcomers the opportunity to live and work in a welcoming rural community.
Designated Area:
The RCIP – Steinbach program covers the City of Steinbach census division and nearby communities, including:
- RM of Ste. Anne
- RM of Piney
- RM of La Broquerie
- Landmark
- Vita
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
- Manufacturing and utilities
Priority Occupations (2025):
- Advertising, marketing, and PR professionals – 11202
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers – 12200
- Agriculture specialists and consultants – 21112
- Business systems specialists – 21221
- Database analysts and data administrators – 21223
- Industrial manufacturing engineers – 21321
- Drafting technologists and technicians – 22212
- Construction estimators – 22303
- General practitioners and family physicians – 31102
- Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses – 31301
- Licensed practical nurses – 32101
- Veterinary technicians and animal health technologists – 32104
- Pharmacy technicians – 32124
- Massage therapists – 32201
- Nurse aides and orderlies – 33102
- Lawyers and Quebec notaries – 41101
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
- Retail and wholesale trade managers – 60020
- Food service supervisors – 62020
- Insurance agents and brokers – 63100
- Construction managers – 70010
- Welders and machine operators – 72106
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401
- Automotive and mechanical repair technicians – 72410
- Electrical mechanics – 72422
8. Altona / Rhineland, Manitoba
Community Lead:
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) for Altona and Rhineland is administered locally to help employers fill key roles with skilled foreign workers. The program also supports existing temporary foreign workers in gaining permanent residence, building long-term workforce stability in the region.
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP offers approved foreign workers and their families a pathway to permanent residence in Altona and Rhineland. This helps meet local labour market demands while allowing newcomers to settle and thrive in the community.
Designated Area:
The RCIP applies to employers located in the town of Altona and the Municipality of Rhineland. Only employers offering permanent, full-time roles in the listed sectors and occupations may participate.
Priority Sectors (2025):
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
- Natural resources and agriculture
- Manufacturing and utilities
Priority Occupations (2025):
- Financial auditors and accountants – 11100
- Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations – 12013
- Shippers and receivers – 14400
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
- Retail sales supervisors – 62010
- Food service supervisors – 62020
- Cooks – 63200
- Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations – 65201
- Customer service representatives – Financial institutions – 64400
- Welders and related machine operators – 72106
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401
- Printing press operators – 73401
- Material handlers – 75101
- Manufacturing managers – 90010
- Supervisors, food and beverage processing – 92012
- Metalworking and forging machine operators – 94105
- Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing – 94140
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers – 94141
- Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations – 94151
- Binding and finishing machine operators – 94152
- Mechanical assemblers and inspectors – 94204
- Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators – 94213
- Labourers in food and beverage processing – 95106
- Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities – 95109
9. Brandon, Manitoba
Community Lead:
Economic Development Brandon (EDB) leads the implementation of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in Brandon, following its successful participation in the previous Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP allows eligible Brandon employers to hire skilled foreign workers for in-demand positions or to support existing employees on temporary status to obtain permanent residence. Approved workers and their families can apply for permanent residency to live and work in Brandon long term, helping strengthen the local workforce and community.
Designated Area:
Only positions within Brandon’s defined RCIP program boundaries are eligible. Job offers from employers outside these boundaries will not qualify under this program.
Allocation Policy:
In 2025, 15% of Brandon’s total RCIP allocation will be reserved for health sector roles. The remaining quota will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Priority Sectors and Occupations (2025):
Health Sector
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates – 33102 (TEER 3, CLB 5)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses – 31301 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- Licensed practical nurses – 32101 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- General practitioners and family physicians – 31102 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- Specialists in surgery – 31101 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine – 31100 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- Dentists – 31110 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
Trade and Transport
- Construction trades helpers and labourers – 75110 (TEER 5, CLB 4)
- Plumbers – 72300 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Welders and related machine operators – 72106 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Carpenters – 72310 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers – 72410 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) – 73112 (TEER 3, CLB 5)
- Concrete finishers – 73100 (TEER 3, CLB 5)
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
Manufacturing and Utilities
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers – 94141 (TEER 4, CLB 4)
Natural and Applied Sciences
- Civil engineers – 21300 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians – 22300 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Mechanical engineers – 21301 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians – 22301 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers – 21321 (TEER 1, CLB 6)
- User support technicians – 22221 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202 (TEER 2, CLB 5)
10. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan was named as one of the 14 RCIP communities by IRCC, but has not yet secured the funding to launch its program.
11. Claresholm, Alberta
Community Lead:
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in Claresholm is a locally administered, employer-driven immigration program launched on April 29, 2025. It supports local businesses in addressing persistent labour shortages by enabling eligible foreign workers to apply for permanent residence and obtain an LMIA-exempt work permit.
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP helps employers in Claresholm and surrounding communities – including Granum and Stavely, within a 25 km boundary – hire skilled international workers who intend to live and work in the region long term. The program also supports existing temporary workers in transitioning to permanent residency.
Program Scope and Allocation:
Claresholm has a total of 30 allocations for 2025. Six of these are capped for the Sales and Services sector, with no more than two going to fast food employers.
Employer Designation:
Employers must be located within the Claresholm RCIP boundary and operate in a designated industry. Only occupations listed within each sector are eligible for the program. Applications are now open for eligible employers to become designated.
Priority Sectors and Occupations (2025):
Health Care
- Nurse aides – 33102
- Registered nurses – 31301
- Licensed practical nurses – 32101
- Cook – 63200
Manufacturing & Utilities
- Machine operators, food and beverage processing – 94140
- Labourers, food and beverage processing – 95106
- Administrative assistant – 13110
- Concrete finisher – 73100
- Carpenter – 72310
- Construction trade helpers – 75110
- Ironworker – 72105
- Crane operators – 72500
- Aerospace engineers – 21390
- Aircraft mechanic – 72404
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors – 93200
- Aircraft instruments and avionics mechanics and inspectors – 22313
- Engineering managers – 20010
- Meat cutter – 65202
Law & Education
- Administrative officers – 13100
- Education assistant – 43100
- Flight instructor – 72600
- Early childhood educator – 42202
Agriculture
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators – 84120
Sales & Services (6 allocations total; max 2 in fast food)
Full-Service Restaurant Subsector Only:
- Chef – 62200
- Cook – 63200
Fast Food Subsector Only:
- Food service supervisor – 62020
12. West Kootenay, British Columbia
Community Lead:
To be determined.
Pilot Goals:
The RCIP in West Kootenay aims to attract and retain skilled international workers who want to settle and work in the region long term. The program provides a pathway to permanent residence for foreign workers with job offers in key sectors once the community recommendation process is launched.
Program Status:
As of May 2025, the West Kootenay RCIP is in its final planning phase. The list of eligible priority sectors and occupations is being finalized. Once confirmed, the program will begin accepting applications from employers seeking designation under the pilot.
Next Steps:
- Designated employers will be allowed to submit applications for community recommendation on behalf of candidates.
- These community recommendations are required before candidates can apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
- Further updates, including the launch date and sector details, will be posted once available.
Current Advisory:
- The West Kootenay RCIP team is not responding to individual inquiries at this time.
- Interested employers and applicants are encouraged to review federal RCIP eligibility criteria on IRCC’s official website to prepare in advance.
13. North Okanagan Shuswap, British Columbia
Community Lead:
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in North Okanagan Shuswap is administered by Community Futures North Okanagan and Community Futures Shuswap, in collaboration with local and federal partners.
Pilot Goals:
The program aims to support economic development and increase long-term retention of skilled newcomers by prioritising job offers in sectors that align with regional growth. It creates a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and settle in the region.
Program Scope:
Only candidates working in both a priority sector and a priority occupation (NOC) are eligible for recommendation. Employers must also operate within a designated priority sector to qualify. Priority sectors and NOC codes are reviewed and may be updated annually.
Designated Area:
The pilot covers the North Okanagan Shuswap region of British Columbia, with oversight from the two Community Futures offices. Employers must operate within this region and be designated by the program before they can submit candidates for recommendation.
Priority Sectors (2025)
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
- Manufacturing and utilities
Only businesses operating in these sectors are eligible for participation.
Priority Occupations (2025)
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers – 12200
- Administrative assistants – 13110
- General office support workers – 14100
- Accounting and related clerks – 14200
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates – 33102
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants – 33103
- Social and community service workers – 42201
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202
- Restaurant and food service managers – 60030 (Cap: 2 per employer)
- Accommodation service managers – 60031 (Cap: 2 per employer)
- Executive housekeepers – 62021 (Cap: 2 per employer)
- Hairstylists and barbers – 63210
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors – 72100
- Welders and related machine operators – 72106
- Plumbers – 72300
- Carpenters – 72310
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers – 72410
- Appliance servicers and repairers – 72421
- Heavy equipment operators – 73400
- Construction trades helpers and labourers – 75110 (Cap: 10 per employer)
- Manufacturing managers – 90010
- Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products – 94211 (Cap: 10 per employer)
- Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors – 94212 (Cap: 10 per employer)
- Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing – 95103 (Cap: 10 per employer)
14. Peace Liard, British Columbia
Community Lead:
The Peace Liard region in Northeast British Columbia joined the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in early 2025 through a partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The program is aimed at supporting workforce development and strengthening local economies across a wide geographic area.
Pilot Goals:
The Peace Liard RCIP provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in the region. The program is designed to help local employers fill persistent labour shortages with qualified international talent, while encouraging long-term settlement and economic participation.
Designated Area:
The Peace Liard RCIP catchment area includes – but is not limited to – the following communities:
- Fort St. John
- Dawson Creek
- Chetwynd
- Tumbler Ridge
- Taylor
- Pouce Coupe
- Hudson’s Hope
- Fort Nelson
- Rural areas within the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM)
These communities vary in size and industry but share a common goal of welcoming newcomers and supporting their long-term integration.
Program Status:
As of June 2025, the Peace Liard RCIP is in its early stages. Finalised lists of priority sectors and priority occupations (NOC codes) will be announced shortly. Once these are confirmed, the region will begin accepting applications from employers seeking designation under the pilot.
What’s Coming Next:
- Each year, five priority sectors and 25 NOC codes will be selected based on labour market needs and input from regional Steering Committee members.
- Only employers operating within these approved sectors and occupations will be eligible to participate in the RCIP.
The Peace Liard RCIP offers a unique opportunity for newcomers to establish a permanent home in Northeast BC while contributing to the local economy. Full program details, including priority jobs and sectors, are expected to be released soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot?
The RCIP is a Canadian immigration program that allows skilled workers to become permanent residents by working and living in designated rural communities.
Do I need a job offer to apply through the RCIP?
Yes, you must first get a job offer from a designated employer in one of the participating communities before you can apply for permanent residence.
What if I recently graduated from a community college or university in one of the pilot communities?
If you meet specific conditions, including recent graduation and full-time study in the community, you may be exempt from the work experience requirement.
Can I apply with a TEER 5 job offer?
Yes, but only if your work experience matches the exact same 5-digit NOC code as your job offer.
How can I prove my education if I studied outside Canada?
You’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an approved organisation showing your qualification is equivalent to a Canadian credential.