WHATSAPP
Obtaining permanent residency (PR) in any advanced economy is an aspirational dream of many middle-class families in Asia & Africa. Surprisingly as it may be, Canada is among the few OECD nations that offer a direct pathway to permanent residency. Here is one such route to Canada PR through RNIP which is a community-driven initiative for Canadian immigration.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was launched in 2019 and is expected to continue for the next five years. It selects eligible foreign skilled workers based on their work experience, academic profile, and language proficiency. Owing to its success, many participating communities are now demanding the federal government makes it a permanent immigration program.
What do we mean by a Community-Driven Initiative for Canadian Immigration?
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a community-driven initiative that allows foreign skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. The participating communities are required to attract and retain new immigrants through their dedicated economic development plans. They also provide the right infrastructural support in connecting them with local job vacancies.
The main intention behind this initiative is to encourage regional immigration for mutual gains. While the local community grows through increased economic activities, foreign skilled workers find easier Canadian PR options to settle in an OECD nation like Canada.
Using Statistics Canada’s index of remoteness, these communities are known to have a population of about 50,000 people or less and be located at least 75 km from the core of a Census Metropolitan Area.
List of 11 Participating Communities
As of now, the federal government of Canada has allowed 11 communities from provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan to promote regional immigration of foreign skilled workers.
The following 11 communities are participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration pilot:
| Canadian Province | Participating Community |
| Ontario (5) | North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay |
| Manitoba (2) | Brandon, Altona/Rhineland |
| Saskatchewan (1) | Moose Jaw |
| Alberta (1) | Claresholm |
| British Columbia (2) | Vernon, West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson) |
Communities from other Canadian provinces like Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon will soon be added.
How to Qualify for Canada PR through RNIP?
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a part of the federal skilled worker program through which eligible profiles can obtain permanent residency. In order to receive a successful nomination to apply for Canada PR through RNIP, profiles must fulfill both federal criteria and community recommendations.
The federal criteria to qualify under RNIP include
- Work experience: At least one year of continuous work experience in the last three years
OR
- Education: Graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the recommending community.
- Language proficiency: Meet the language threshold for the NOC skill type/level of the job being offered.
- Settlement Funds: Proof of financial stability to settle and support themselves and their family.
A community recommendation is based on the candidate’s:
- intention to live in the designated community.
- job offer and the community’s economic needs.
How to Apply?
Get in touch with the best immigration consultants in Dubai to explore more immigration options. |
Work Experience
Eligible profiles to qualify for Canada PR under RNIP must have gained a minimum of 1,560 hours of experience either in Canada or outside Canada. However, the occupation must be listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). There is no restriction on having worked with multiple employers.
| Internation students who have graduated from a post-secondary program in the community that is recommending them are exempt from the work experience requirement. |
RNIP does not consider self-employed work experience.
Settlement Funds
Canadian immigration authorities ask for compulsory proof of funds from eligible candidates applying under RNIP to settle in the community. These funds must be their own and cannot be borrowed from anyone.
The following documents can be used as proof of funds:
- bank account statements
- documents that show the real property or other investments (such as stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills, etc.)
| You must have at least $9,000 to show as proof of fund. The exact amount will depend on your profile. Please contact our immigration consultants to learn more. |
Language Proficiency
The minimum requirements for each NOC skill type/level are as follows. “CLB” stands for Canadian Language Benchmark.
- NOC 0 and A: Minimum language score of a CLB 6 is required
- NOC B: Minimum language score of a CLB 5 is required
Read more about IELTS for Canadian immigration in our previous blog.
Find the Best Immigration Consultants in Dubai
Amidst the chaos and noise around how immigration could change your life, you need genuine and trustworthy advice from an experienced immigration consultancy.
Here is where a certified immigration consultant like CanApprove can help you handle all your documentation process as well as guide you throughout the process.
CanApprove is a certified immigration consultant by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Canada (CICC). We have a rich history of 20+ years of providing immigration and overseas education consultancy services.
Complete this free assessment online to find out if you’re eligible to obtain Canada PR through RINP or any other program.
You can book a free appointment with us to determine your eligibility for Canada PR based on your academic profile and work experience.
