Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot refers to a community-driven program that seeks to help smaller communities economically by assisting skilled foreign workers. This is achieved by offering them an immigration route to permanent residency in Canada.

Respective candidates need to secure a job with an employer in any of the communities taking part in the program. Once this is done and if the community expresses their support for the candidate, the applicant, once successful in his/her application, can move to the community of choice.

Who is eligible?

For eligibility, one must meet the following criteria:

Must be recommended by a selected community economic development organization;
Have a full year of uninterrupted work experience (not less than 1,560 hours) in the previous 3 years or have recently graduated from a post-secondary institution, fully funded by the government and located in the recommending community;
Have a job offer that you qualify;
Meet or exceed the set language requirements;
Meet or exceed the educational requirements;
Prove possession of sufficient money to support the transition into the community;
Propose to live in the community.

The communities participating in the pilot are:

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