What is RNIP program in Canada?
The RNIP program promotes Rural Immigration in Canada.
The RNIP – Rural Northern Immigration Pilot is a program put in place by the government of Canada to facilitate immigration to smaller communities by creating a path for permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to live in one of the communities participating in the program.
At the time of writing this article the following communities are participating in the program:
- North Bay, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Timmins, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm, Alberta
- Vernon, British Colmbia
- West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Colombia
What are the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot requirements?
Rural and northern immigration pilot eligibility requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrate 1 year of work experience in the past 3 years
A public policy concerning the work experience eligibility requirement has been established for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants under the RNIP Program are now exempt from the requirement to accumulate work experience over a continuous period. For more information, please refer to the public policy.
If you are an international student who graduated with a degree, diploma, certificate or trade or apprenticeship credential from a Canadian public post-secondary institution located in the community, you are exempt from the work experience requirement. - Have a job offer at the same skill level, 1 level above or 1 level below the NOC that matches work experience. If NOC D, must be same occupation
- Meet the language Requirements:
- (NOC 0 & A: CLB 6
- NOC B: CLB 5
- NOC C & D: CLB 4
- Have at a minimum a secondary school education or the education level required based on the NOC
- Have the necessary settlement funds
- meet community-specific requirements
- Not be inadmissible to Canada
How to apply for RNIP Canada?
In order to apply you must ensure you meet the requirements for the program and submit the necessary documentation. A person needs to first meet the community specific requirements then apply for permanent residence.
Each community has its own recommendation process, the Community websites will tell you:
- how the application process works
- what documents you’ll need to apply
For all communities, the following is required:
- prove that you meet all the requirements for the pilot
- have an eligible job offer
If a community recommends you, you can then apply for permanent residence by completing an Application.
Can I apply for PR under the RNIP as a refugee?
The Ministerial Instructions state that if a foreign national is in Canada at the time of their permanent resident visa application, they must have temporary resident status.
Applicant’s must have legal temporary status in Canada when applying under the program which asylum claimants in Canada do not have.
Furthermore, when a person claims refugee protection in Canada, they are issued a section 44 Report which renders them inadmissible to Canada.
Can I apply for a work permit while my RNIP application is in process?
Applicants who have submitted an application for permanent residence under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, may be eligible for a 1-year work permit. The work permit lets Applicants to work while their application is in process.
The work permit is valid for one year and allows individuals to work for the employer who offered the job in the participating community.
How long is the PR process under the RNIP program?
There is currently no processing timelines provided by IRCC.
If you would like to learn more about the RNIP program you may want to book a paid consultation to discuss your matter with a lawyer.
Please note that this should not be construed as Legal Advice. This is General Information and should not be acted on.