Canada’s rural and remote communities are important for Canada’s development, and they often face challenges of labor shortages and aging populations.

To address these issues, the Government of Canada launched the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a program designed to attract skilled foreign workers to settle in smaller communities, boosting local economies and fostering long-term growth.

The RCIP initiative offers a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who wish to live and work in one of 14 selected rural and remote communities across Canada. The program was first launched in 2024 to replace the successful Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).

several people working in dim light shared work area

Eligibility Criteria for Candidates

To apply for permanent residence through the RCIP, candidates must meet specific requirements:

  • Job Offer: bona fide (genuine), full-time, permanent job offer from a designated employer in one of the 14 participating communities. The job must be in an occupation that is “in demand” for that community. Each community released a public list on their website of National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes that they deem in demand for their own community.

  • Work Experience: At least one year of continuous, full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in the past three years in a skilled occupation.

  • Education: A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials.

  • Language Proficiency: Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) based on the NOC category of the job offer.

  • Settlement Funds: Proof of sufficient funds to support themselves (unless they are already working in Canada – the employment is sufficient for settlement funds).

  • Intent to Reside: A commitment to live and work in the participating community.

List of RCIP Communities

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) includes 14 carefully selected communities:

  • Pictou County, NS

  • North Bay, ON
  • Sudbury, ON
  • Timmins, ON

  • Sault Ste. Marie, ON

  • Thunder Bay, ON

  • Steinbach, MB

  • Althona/Rhineland, MB
  • Brandon, MB
  • Moose Jaw, SK
  • Claresholm, AB

  • West Kootenay Region, BC

  • North Okanagan Shuswap, BC

  • Peace Liard Region, BC

roofer with back toward camera standing on a roof with clouds in background

How the RCIP Works: Step-by-Step

  1. Employer Designation: Employers in participating communities must apply to be designated by the local economic development organization. To qualify, employers must operate in priority sectors and have been in business for at least two years.

  2. Job Offer: Candidates secure a job offer from a designated employer. The employer must demonstrate efforts to hire locally before offering the position to a foreign worker.

  3. Community Recommendation: The candidate submits an application to the community’s economic development organization, which reviews their eligibility and issues a recommendation if approved.

  4. Permanent Residence Application: With the community’s recommendation, the candidate applies for permanent residence through IRCC.

  5. Work Permit (Optional): Candidates can apply for a work permit to start working while their permanent residence application is processed.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is employer-driven, meaning candidates cannot apply directly to the community without a job offer from a designated employer.

The RCIP is part of Canada’s broader strategy to make the rural programs permanent, thereby ensuring long-term support for rural communities.

RCIP Communities Occupation in Demand

Pictou County, Nova Scotia

  • 12200 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
  • 21211 Data scientists
  • 21220 Cybersecurity specialists
  • 21221 Business systems specialists
  • 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
  • 21232 Software developers and programmers
  • 31120 Pharmacists
  • 32124 Pharmacy technicians
  • 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 60030* Restaurant and food service managers
  • 62010* Retail sales supervisors
  • 63200* Cooks
  • 72102 Sheet metal workers
  • 72205 Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
  • 72300 Plumbers
  • 72310 Carpenters
  • 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers
  • 73102 Plasterers, drywall installers, and finishers and lathers
  • 73110 Roofers and shinglers
  • 73200 Residential and commercial installers and servicers
  • 73401 Printing press operators
  • 92014 Supervisors, forest products processing
  • 94124 Woodworking machine operators
  • 94129 Other wood processing machine operators
  • 94112 Rubber processing machine operators and related workers

*The following NOCs will be capped at no more than 10% of the total annual RCIP allocation: 60030, 62010, and 63200. Additionally, the number of NOC 60030 positions per restaurant location is subject to a limit based on hours of operations and employers may be required to provide additional supporting documentation to confirm the operational need for these positions.

Source: https://pcrcip.ca/

North Bay, Ontario

  • 11100 Financial auditors and accountants
  • 11200 Human resources professional
  • 12200 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
  • 13110 Administrative assistants
  • 14201 Banking, insurance and financial clerks
  • 14400 Shippers & Receivers
  • 32101 Licensed practical nurses
  • 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient services associates
  • 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 42201 Social and community service workers
  • 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 43100 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
  • 44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
  • 60010 Corporate sales manager
  • 64314 Hotel front desk clerks
  • 64410 Security guards and related security service occupations
  • 72100 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • 72106 Welders and related machine operators
  • 72200 Electricians
  • 72310 Carpenters (includes apprentices)
  • 72402 Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
  • 72404 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
  • 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • 75110 Construction trade helpers and labourers

Source: https://nbrcip.ca/eligibility-and-community-criteria/

Sudbury, Ontario

  • 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

Source: https://investsudbury.ca/why-sudbury/newcomers/rcipfcip/#1747765360782-431aafcf-42d4

Timmins, Ontario

  • 11102 Financial advisor
  • 12200 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
  • 13100 Administrative officers*
  • 22101 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians*
  • 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers*
  • 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 32101 Licensed practical nurses
  • 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
  • 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
  • 42201 Social and community service workers
  • 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
  • 72106 Welders and related machine operators
  • 72201 Industrial electricians
  • 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • 73300 Transport truck drivers
  • 73400 Heavy equipment operators
  • 74203 Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers
  • 75110 Construction trades helpers and labourers
  • 83100 Underground production and development miners
  • 95103 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

Source: https://timminsedc.com/immigration/

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

  • 32124 Pharmacy Technician
  • 31102 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
  • 31301 Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
  • 32101 Licensed Practical Nurses
  • 33102 Personal Support Worker
  • 41301 Therapists in Counselling and Related Specialized Therapies (removed)
  • 42201 Social and Community Service Workers
  • 42202 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
  • 62020 Food Service Supervisor (Not including fast food restaurants) (hotels and dine in restaurants only – Cap 10) (maximum of 2 recommendations per employer)
  • 62022 Guest Service Supervisor
  • 62029 Security Guard Supervisor
  • 21301 Mechanical Engineers
  • 21310 Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • 22212 Drafting Technologists and Technicians
  • 22301 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 22310 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 72010 Contractors and Supervisors, Machining, Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Trades and Related Occupations
  • 72011 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations
  • 72014 Contractors and Supervisors, Other Construction Traders, Installers, Repairers and Servicers
  • 72201 Industrial Electricians
  • 73301 Transit Operators
  • 72100 Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors
  • 72400 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
  • 72404 Aircraft Instruments, Electrical and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians and Inspectors
  • 75119 Trade Helper and Laborers
  • 94107 Production Worker

Source: https://welcometossm.com/rnip-employers/

Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • 11102 Financial Advisors
  • 13110 Administrative Assistants
  • 14100 General Office Support Workers
  • 31204 Kinesiologists and Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment
  • 31301 Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
  • 32101 Licensed Practical Nurses
  • 33102 Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates
  • 33103 Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants
  • 41300 Social Workers
  • 41301 Therapists in Counselling and Related Specialized Therapies
  • 42201 Social and Community Service Workers
  • 42202 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
  • 44101 Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations
  • 60020 Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
  • 62010 Retail Sales Supervisors
  • 62020 Food Service Supervisors
  • 63200 Cooks
  • 64100 Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers
  • 65102 Store Shelf Stockers, Clerks, and Order Fillers
  • 65201 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations
  • 65310 Light Duty Cleaners
  • 72400 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
  • 72410 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers
  • 73400 Heavy Equipment Operators
  • 75110 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers

Source: https://gotothunderbay.ca/rural-community-immigration-pilot-rcip/

Steinbach, Manitoba

  • 11202 Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
  • 12200 Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
  • 21112 Agriculture Representative, Consultants, and Specialists
  • 21221 Business Systems Specialists
  • 21223 Database Analysts and Data Administrators
  • 21321 Industrial Manufacturing Engineers
  • 22212 Drafting Technologists and Technicians
  • 22303 Construction Estimators
  • 31102 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
  • 31301 Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
  • 32101 Licensed Practical Nurses
  • 32104 Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians
  • 32124 Pharmacy Technicians
  • 32201 Massage Therapists
  • 33102 Nurses Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates
  • 41101 Lawyers and Quebec Notaries
  • 42202 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
  • 44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (added September 2025, removed October 2025)
  • 60020 Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
  • 62020 Food Service Supervisors
  • 63100 Insurance Agents and Brokers
  • 70010 Construction Managers
  • 72106 Welders and Related Machine Operators
  • 72401 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
  • 72410 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers
  • 72422 Electrical Mechanics

Source: https://steinbachedc.com/rcip/

Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba

  • 11100 Financial auditors and accountants
  • 12013 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations
  • 14400 Shippers and receivers
  • 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 62010 Retail sales supervisors
  • 62020 Food service supervisors
  • 63200 Cooks
  • 65201 Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
  • 64400 Customer service representatives & Financial institutions
  • 72106 Welders and related machine operators
  • 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • 73401 Printing press operators
  • 75101 Material handlers
  • 90010 Manufacturing managers
  • 92012 Supervisors, food and beverage processing
  • 94105 Metalworking and forging machine operators
  • 94140 Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
  • 94141 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
  • 94151 Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations
  • 94152 Binding and finishing machine operators
  • 94204 Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
  • 94213 Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
  • 95106 Labourers in food and beverage processing
  • 95109 Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities

Source: https://ared-rpga.com/immigration/rcip-sector/

Brandon, Manitoba

  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 32101 Licensed practical nurses
  • 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
  • 31101 Specialists in surgery
  • 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • 31110 Dentists
  • 75110 Construction trades helpers and labourers
  • 72300 Plumbers
  • 72106 Welders and related machine operators
  • 72310 Carpenters
  • 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • 73100 Concrete finishers
  • 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • 94141 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
  • 21300 Civil engineers
  • 22300 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • 21301 Mechanical engineers
  • 22301 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
  • 22221 User support technicians
  • 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants

Source: https://economicdevelopmentbrandon.com/rcip/rcip

Claresholm, Alberta

  • 13100 Administrative Officers
  • 13110 Administrative Assistant
  • 20010 Engineering Managers
  • 21390 Aerospace engineers
  • 22313 Aircraft instruments and avionics mechanics and inspectors
  • 33102 Nurse aides
  • 31301 Registered Nurse
  • 32101 Licensed Practical Nurse
  • 42202 Early Childhood Educator
  • 43100 Education assistant (removed September 2025)
  • 62200 Chef
  • 63200 Cook
  • 62020 Food Service Supervisor
  • 65202 Meat Cutter
  • 72105 Ironworker
  • 72310 Carpenter
  • 72404 Aircraft Mechanic
  • 72500 Crane operators
  • 72600 Flight Instructor
  • 73100 Concrete Finisher
  • 75110 Construction trade helpers
  • 84120 Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
  • 93200 Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • 94140 Machine operators, food and beverage processing
  • 82030 Farm Supervisors (added September 2025)
  • 95106 Labourers, food and beverage processing

Source: https://claresholm-rcip.ca/

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

The province has not released information yet

West Kootenay, British Columbia

  • 12200 Accounting Technicians & Bookkeepers
  • 14100 General office support workers
  • 33102 Health Care Aides
  • 41321 Career Development Practitioners & Career Counsellors
  • 42201 Social & Community Service Workers
  • 42202 Early Childhood Educators & Early Childhood Educator Assistants
  • 63200 Cooks
  • 63202 Bakers
  • 64314 Front Desk Agents
  • 65200 Food & Beverage Servers
  • 65201 Food Counter Attendant, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations
  • 65310 Light Duty Cleaners
  • 72310 Carpenters
  • 72401 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
  • 73112 Painters
  • 73300 Transport Truck Drivers
  • 75101 Material Handlers
  • 75119 Other Trades Helpers & Labourers
  • 95109 Other Labourers, Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities

Source: https://westkootenayimmigration.ca/priorities/

North Okanagan Shuswap, British Columbia

  • 12200 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
  • 13110 Administrative assistants
  • 14100 General office support workers
  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 42201 Social and community service workers
  • 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 60030 Restaurant and food service managers
  • 60031 Accommodation service managers
  • 62021 Executive housekeepers
  • 63210 Hairstylists and barbers
  • 72100 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • 72106 Welders and related machine operators
  • 72300 Plumbers
  • 72310 Carpenters
  • 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • 72421 Appliance servicers and repairers
  • 73400 Heavy equipment operators
  • 75110 Construction trades helpers and labourers
  • 90010 Manufacturing managers
  • 94211 Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products
  • 94212 Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
  • 95103 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

Source: https://rcipnorthokanaganshuswap.com/priority-sectors-nocs/

Peace Liars, British Columbia

  • 12200 Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
  • 14100 General Office Support Workers
  • 13100 Administrative Officers
  • 22220 Computer Network and Web Technicians
  • 22221 User Support Technicians
  • 33103 Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants
  • 42201 Social and Community Service Workers
  • 42202 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
  • 43100 Elementary and Secondary Teacher Assistants
  • 60030 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
  • 60031 Accommodation Service Managers
  • 62020 Food Service Supervisors
  • 62024 Cleaning Supervisors
  • 63200 Cooks
  • 64314 Hotel Front Desk Clerks
  • 65100 Cashiers
  • 65101 Service Station Attendants
  • 65102 Store Shelf Stockers, Clerks and Order Fillers
  • 65200 Food and Beverage Servers
  • 65201 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations
  • 65310 Light Duty Cleaners
  • 72400 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
  • 72401 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
  • 72600 Air Pilots, Flight Engineers, and Flying Instructors
  • 73400 Heavy Equipment Operators

Source: https://www.nebcimmigration.ca/priority-occupations

More information about the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/rural-franco-pilots/rural-immigration/job-offer.html

Other Notes

It is still to be determined what quota of immigrants each community is permitted to enlist. Some community’s websites advertise a small number of immigrant quota allotted to their communities. We hope to report back on the official quota as soon as we gain insight.

Immigration programs, and especially pilot programs, change regularly. We advise applicants to continue to monitor Canada’s immigration website and its programs here.