Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program: How To Qualify and Get Canadian PR Today?

Are you thinking about moving to Canada? With the necessary information in hand, we can help you make the right decision when it comes to making the move to Canada.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a new federal government program which offers permanent residence to newcomers with the skills, education, and work experience needed by employers in rural and northern parts of Canada. 

So if rural and northern immigration is something that interests you, then keep on reading!

We will also be talking about what is the RNIP and who can apply to the program. This information may help you decide if this is a program for you. So let’s take a look at the program and how it works!

What Is RNIP?

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) Canada is a new program that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers with the promise of permanent residency. It is designed to address the labour shortage in rural and northern communities.

The pilot program is open to international students who are enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at a designated educational institution.

The program encourages international students from rural and northern areas of Canada to remain in their communities while also helping employers to fill labour shortages.

The pilot will help fill labour market needs and support economic growth in these communities. It will also help address issues related to labour shortages, including:

• the ageing population; 
• migration patterns; and
• the need for workers with specific skills.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for both the Express Entry system and the RNIP Canada program itself. 

Benefits Of RNIP Canada

There are certain benefits that RNIP Canada offers to international students and their employers. These include:

• The RNIP aims to address the shortage of skilled workers in rural and northern communities, as well as the lack of economic opportunities for certain groups in the region.
• Employers can hire international workers under the RNIP who are willing to work in rural and northern communities.
• Employers can hire international workers who have experience working on farms or ranches.
• The applicant can choose any region in Canada that has been listed under the program. The program also allows applicants to move anywhere within the listed regions after they have settled down there.
• RNIP workers are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Applying For The Canadian RNIP

The Canadian Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a new Express Entry stream that will help reduce the barriers that rural, remote and northern communities face when trying to attract newcomers.

However, before applying for RNIP you must know all the details about the process and the necessary documents and forms you will need. Here is the step-by-step guide to applying for Canadian citizenship.

Check Out RNIP Program Canada:

Obtain A Job Offer

You need to obtain a job offer from an employer that operates in a rural or northern region. You must be able to prove that your knowledge and skills are required for this job according to the NOC.

Obtain A Referral

To apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, you must first obtain a referral from a designated organization.

To do this, you must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and return it to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code listed on the referral.

You can find this information in the employment section of your chosen province or territory’s immigration website.

Once you have received your referral, you must send it to IRCC along with your completed application for permanent residence.

The Use Of Biometrics

You will need to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photos) at a biometrics collection service point in order to collect your data for the NOC application.

The biometrics collection service point can be found on the IRCC website. 

Fill Out All Required Paperwork

To apply for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program in Canada, you must first fill out the following required documents:

• A detailed application form that asks about educational requirements, work experience, criminal record, and more.
• A detailed list of your skills, including work experience and languages spoken.
• A detailed description of the type of job you are looking for.
• Proof of financial support if you have already applied to the program or if you plan on applying soon after arriving in Canada.
• You need to fill out different forms to apply  these forms are:
  • IMM 008
  • IMM 5884
  • IMM 5911
  • IMM 5406
  • IMM 5562
  • IMM 5604
  • IMM 5409
  • IMM 5476
  • IMM 5669
  • IMM 5984
  • IMM 011

Eligibility Criteria For Federal Government

The eligibility criteria for the RNIP in Canada vary depending on your eligibility category. To qualify for the program, you must meet the following criteria:

Work Experience

To be eligible for this program, you must have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in the past five years with a minimum of 1560 work hours.

You must also intend to settle in a rural or northern community that is designated by the province or territory where you plan to live.

Language Skills

You must have sufficient language skills to communicate with people around you easily. 

Applicants must meet the language proficiency standards of CLB and NCLC established by the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

To qualify for the program, you must be able to speak and understand English and French.

The language requirement varies depending on where you are applying from: if you are applying from inside Canada, then you need to have either Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 or 5 or equivalent;

However, if you are applying from outside Canada, then you need to have either CLB Level 7 or equivalent.

Education

You can apply if you have completed a post-secondary education program such as a college diploma, master’s degree or Canadian high school diploma within 5 years before the date of your application.

This program must be from a recognized institution, and it must be related to the job offer that you are applying for.

Settlement Funds

You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

This includes paying for your living expenses as well as providing financial support for family members who are joining you in Canada under this program.

Intent Of Residency

The applicant must intend to reside in a rural or northern community within Canada. This is an important requirement of the program.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate that they have the intent and ability to settle in a rural or northern community in Canada.

Pay Application Fees

In order to be eligible for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, you will need to pay the application fee.

This fee is non-refundable and must be paid before you submit your application online through the IRCC website.

Submit Application

After completing all the required steps, you have to submit your application online.

How To Find A Job Through RNIP?

RNIP is a great way for employers in rural and northern Canada to connect with skilled immigrants who are looking for work in those areas.

The program has two streams: the Employer Direct Stream and the Community Connections Stream. 

The Employer Direct Stream allows employers to search for qualified candidates, view their resumes, and contact them directly. The Community Connections Stream helps connect immigrants with community organizations and local businesses in rural and northern Canada.

Employers who want to participate in RNIP must first enter into a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) exemption agreement with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). 

Once they have done that, they can post available jobs on the Job Bank and invite potential candidates to apply. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements will then be screened by ESDC against a list of criteria, including language proficiency and education levels.  

Those who are selected will be invited to come to Canada for an interview with the employer. If both the employer and candidate are happy with the arrangement and minimum wage requirements, the employer can then apply for a work permit on the candidate’s behalf. 

The RNIP is currently open to employers in 11 participating communities: 

• Thunder Bay
• Greater Sudbury Development Corporation
• Sault Ste. 
• Marie Economic Development Corporation
• Timmins
• North Bay
• Cornwall
• Kenora
• Dryden
• Elliot Lake
• Moose Factory 
• Fort Frances

Employers in these communities who are interested in taking part in the RNIP can contact their local community organization for more information.

The RNIP is just one of many programs that the Canadian government offers to help employers find the skilled workers they need. Other options include:

• Provincial Nominee Program
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot 
• Global Talent Stream

Employers who are interested in any of these programs can contact the nearest Canadian embassy or visit On The Move Canada for more information.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program is a worthwhile Canadian immigration program, but there are some key requirements to be aware of before you apply. The program is an important step for the development of Canada and especially for the steps of rural and northern regions in the future. 

There is no doubt that this pilot program will attract more citizens and boost the local economy. We hope this article has been useful to you and that it has provided some information on the programs and services offered by the Canadian government for new immigrant families.