Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

In this post, I‘d like to talk about Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).  As part of this, Canada is trying to attract immigrants to the smaller towns and cities since there are unfilled jobs and more retirees. Besides, they‘d like people to move out of saturated cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. The small cities have a much more affordable cost of living.

It doesn’t fall under the express entry program and so you aren’t competing with thousands of people in that program. As of now the pilot has 3 cities (Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Altona/Rhineland) and 8 more will be participating in it. This is a community based program and ultimately the community makes a recommendation to grant you permanent residence. Every community has its own guidelines and you‘d have to research into the community for making it thru. While you have to meet financial, education and language requirements, meeting community based guidelines is most important. Each of the cities has their own website listing the guidelines. Here is an example for Sault Ste. Marie. If you think you meet these guidelines then you can start looking for a job in that place. The jobs are there on their website. Note that the employer should give you a job offer in a specific format.

This is a great program if you are willing to move to a little-known city or town. The advantage is a small short-term move can give you permanent residency. Remember with permanent residence, you have options to start your own business or switch jobs. If you have applied for permanent residency under RNIP then you also get a one year work permit for that employer so that you can get settled in the community.

Go on to the RNIP website and check out if any of the communities interest you.

Related links - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/rural-northern-immigration-pilot.html