The rural community immigration class is for foreign nationals who have the ability to become economically established in a designated rural community.
The requirements for the program are:
- Permanent Job offer (in an occupation listed on the priority occupation list – WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT)
- An employer that meets specific criteria (listed below at “Employer Criteria”
- A certificate of recommendation from an economic development organization
- Proof of experience required by job offer (and at least 1 year continuously within the last 3 years). Note: International graduate students are exempt from this requirement
- Language proficiency (dependent on job code)
- High School education and an equivalency assessment
- Settlement funds unless already residing in Canada
Communities that will participate in RCIP:
- Pictou County, Nova Scotia
- North Bay, 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 Liars, British Columbia
Employer criteria:
- it carries on a genuine business that has been in continuous, active operation under the same management for at least two years within the designated community or it can demonstrate continuous, active operation in another location, in which case the economic development organization must confirm that the relocation of the business to the designated community will make or has made a substantial contribution to that community’s economy;
- it carries on business in relation to at least one priority occupation and at least 75% of the work is performed within the designated community;
- has successfully completed intercultural competency training;
- it has successfully completed mandatory onboarding training;
- it commits to supporting the settlement of each applicant and any accompanying family members, including by facilitating access to the settlement and social service support;
- it is not in contravention of employment standards and occupational health and safety legislation
For more information, read the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 50: GOVERNMENT NOTICES.