The Rural And Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
The Rural And Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a new program launched in June 2019 aimed at strengthening smaller communities, especially those in rural areas. Employers in participating communities have the opportunity to post employment opportunities. Skilled foreigners who are looking to live and work in Canada are able to apply for these positions and should one be successful, the community can then recommend you to the government for permanent residence.
Due to waning birth rates and early retirement, Canada is urgently looking for skilled individuals. Although there is a high number of skilled immigrants moving to the Great White North, almost 70% of immigrants settle in urban provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, leaving large gaps in rural communities.
The fact that most immigrants forget to take into account is that while opportunities in urban areas may seem more lucrative, they also come with a substantially higher cost of living. Secondly, given the undisputed preference for urban hubs by not only skilled foreigners but young native professionals, there is also significantly more competition for opportunities. The hidden benefit of seeking employment in smaller communities is few people are available to fill the gaps, there is a high demand for skilled laborers, and naturally, higher demand equates to a higher salary.
- The Current Participating Communities
Community Website - North Bay, Ontario northbayrnip.ca
- Sudbury, Ontario investsudbury.ca
- Timmins, Ontario timminsedc.com
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario welcometossm.com
- Thunder Bay, Ontario gotothunderbay.ca
- Brandon, Manitoba economicdevelopmentbrandon.com
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitobaseedrgpa.com seedrgpa.com
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan moosejawrnip.ca
- Claresholm, Alberta claresholm.ca
- Vernon, British Columbia rnip-vernon-northok.ca
- West Kootenay(trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia wk-rnip.ca
As seen in the list above there are five provinces with multiple communities in each that are participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).
Brandon and Altona are situated in the south of Canada at the very bottom of Manitoba. Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste Marie, and Thunder Bay in Ontario are all located in the south of the province on or near Lake Superior.
Claresholm in Alberta is only a short drive from the Canadian Rockies and Vernon and West Kootenay are beautiful small towns surrounded by greenery in the heart of British Columbia.
Aside from the natural beauty of the areas these Canadian towns are located in, these are also the fairest weather regions Canada will have to offer year-round. These underrated towns have vacancies spread across a variety of sectors. Let’s take a closer look at the top in-demand jobs in the rural areas and how to qualify for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program
Top In-Demand Jobs in Rural Areas of Canada
Jobs that are currently in demand in participating communities include professions in:
- Steel manufacturing industry
- Forestry sector
- IT professions
- Aviation and Aerospace
- Medical professions
- Education sector and police services
- Agriculture and Manufacturing
- Construction industry
- Food processing
- Financial services
- Dental industry
- Practical nurses
- Meat processing industry.
Do I Qualify?
In order to be considered eligible for the RNIP program one must meet the following criteria:
- You must have at least 1 year of accumulative work experience in the last 3 years or have graduated from a public post-secondary institution in the chosen community
- You will need to take a language proficiency test in French or English to prove you will be able to communicate effectively in your job and community
- Educational requirements: Canadian high school diploma or educational credential assessment (ECA). Further credentials will be required depending on job specifications
- Proof that you have the financial ability to transition yourself and any dependents into the community
- You must live and work in the community to participate in the pilot
- Each community might have its own set of specific requirements in addition to the federal eligibility criteria discussed above which you will need to meet.
How to Apply
As we have established, the first step is to ensure that you meet the specific requirements of your chosen community. Find a position you believe you are suitable for and apply for the job.
When you have received an offer from a designated potential employer, you will need to send it along with all supporting documentation such as your resume, language test results, education credentials, and qualifications, etc., along with your Canada visa application to the board managing the pilot in the community of your choice.
If you are successful in your application, you will receive a Community Recommendation Letter, which you can use to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
RNIP Immigration FAQ'S
You can change jobs, but you will forfeit your application for permanent residency under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and will need to reapply under a different program.
The cost is $255. The work permit is $155 plus an additional $100 ‘open work permit’ fee.
No, there are nearly 55,000 job postings that remain open each day in Canada. While it may be tougher to get an offer from outside the country, perseverance is key.
You may leave at any time, but you must meet your obligation of two years of ‘residency days’ within a five year period after you have been granted permanent residency.
After four years of continuous residency, you can apply for citizenship.