Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): A Step By Step Guide to Get Permanent Residence in Canada

Well, regularly applying for various work permits to extend your stay in Canada can turn out to be really draining.

And this challenging task will keep coming back until you have permanent residence. Although several options are available for you to get quick access to permanent residence, programs like RNIP makes the process even smoother.

So, what are you waiting for?

Keep reading to know all the essential information regarding RNIP and get one step closer to becoming a permanent resident.

What is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)?

Implemented in 2019, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a community-driven program. It aims to provide full-time job opportunities to immigrants in smaller communities and less populated cities across Canada.

RNIP opens the door to permanent residence by letting skilled immigrants work and live in specific communities in Canada. It is a three-year-long program and is applicable only to 11 such locations which are listed under RNIP.

This pilot program has also enabled various Canadian firms to hire international workers to fill in the job gaps. Likewise, it also proves to be beneficial for the immigrants to secure a permanent job in a hassle-free way.

Which Communities Come Under the RNIP?

There are a total of 11 communities participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). They are:
North Bay
Timmins
Thunder Bay
Altona/Rhineland
Claresholm
West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson)
Sudbury
Sault Ste. Marie
Brandon
Moose Jaw
Vernon

How to Apply to Permanent Residence under RNIP?

Majorly, there are 4 steps involved in applying to permanent residence.

1. To be eligible, you need to fulfill the requirements of both IRCC and the community-specific demands.
2. You need to have a full-time job in any one of the participating communities.
3. You must have a recommendation from the community for applying to permanent residence. For this, after joining the job, you need to submit the application to the community for the same.
4. Once you get the recommendation from the community, you can apply for permanent residence.

Meeting the community requirements vary from one community to another. Every community has its own set of guidelines in terms of recommendation procedure, job type, eligibility criteria, etc.

What are the Roles of the Communities in RNIP?

Since RNIP is a program that is solely based on community, the communities play a vital part in setting up the guidelines for the same. It is the community only that holds the power of:

1. Examining the candidate’s potential and skills required for the job.
2. Selecting candidates who can support the economic needs of the community.
3. Assessing the candidate’s intention behind securing a job under RNIP.

Moreover, the decision to whether provide a recommendation or not entirely lies in the hands of the community only.

Who Can Apply to the Jobs Under RNIP?

Yes, we know you are concerned about whether you are eligible for it or not. So, to have clarity, you can check this list of eligibility criteria and find out your suitability.

First and foremost, to get eligible for RNIP, you must meet the eligibility specifications of IRCC. This includes:

Work Experience

1. You must have a minimum of 1 year of regular work experience to get qualified for RNIP. It also needs to consist of at least 1560 hours of work.
2. You also need to have experience in all the main and essential duties which are enlisted in National Occupational Classification (NOC). This will only be considered as valid proof of your work experience.
3. Make sure you are applying to RNIP within 3 years of gaining work experience.
   However, the above criteria for work experience are exempted for international students only if

You hold a Credential

1. You must hold a credential at the time of graduation from a minimum of a 2-year higher secondary study program being a full-time student.
2. You need to apply for permanent residence within 18 months of receiving the degree.
3. To qualify, you also need to be present in the community for at least 16 months out of the 24 months of your course period.

OR

You have a Master’s degree or higher

1. During this course, you must have been enrolled as a full-time student.
2. You need to apply for permanent residence within 18 months of receiving the degree.
3. Also, make sure to be present in the community for the entire study program.

Note of Caution: Your application as an international student will not be approved if the credential comes from a program where:

1. Studying subjects like French and English comprise the majority part of the curriculum.
2. Distance Learning covers more than half of the entire course duration.
3. You receive a scholarship that demands your return to your native country for further practice of your learnings.

Minimum Language Requirements

You must fulfill the language criteria prescribed by the NOC category to get eligible. Either you need to have knowledge in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or in Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).

There are specific language requirements for different NOC categories.
For NOC 0 and A, CLB or NCLC 6 is needed.
For NOC B, either CLB or NCLC 5 is required.
For NOC C and D, CLB or NCLC 4 will do.

Education Qualification

To be able to apply for permanent residence, you must have any one of the following educational backgrounds:

1. A Diploma from any Canadian Secondary School
2. Have a degree, diploma, or certificate from any Canadian Post-Secondary School.
3. Holds an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) certificate provided by a recognized organization that confirms your completion of a Foreign Credential. Your ECA report should not date more than 5 years at the time of applying).

Settlement Funds

It is mandatory to show your financial status or the monetary support you are receiving from your family member while applying. This ensures that you have a continuous flow of funds, even if you do not have legal jobs in Canada.

Also Read- Comprehensive Guide to Moving to Canada

Conclusion

Thus, if you successfully meet all the eligibility requirements of RNIP, you will easily get the community’s recommendation for permanent residence. Sounds good?

So, start your application process under RNIP quickly and secure a permanent place in Canada for yourself!