The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was introduced in 2019 based on the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), created for the Atlantic Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

This program is for northern and rural communities looking to take advantage of the economic immigration of foreign high-skilled and semi-skilled workers and international graduates.

Currently, communities in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario are part of this program.

This program lets communities take a leadership role in inviting eligible immigrants and connecting them to job vacancies and settlement service providers in the province.

Which Communities are Participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

Currently, 11 communities are actively participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot:

• Vernon, British Columbia
• West Kootenay, British Columbia
• Claresholm, Alberta
• Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
• Brandon, Manitoba
• Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
• North Bay, Ontario
• Sudbury, Ontario
• Timmins, Ontario
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
• Thunder Bay, Ontario

What are the Communities’ Requirements to Participate in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

The following are eligibility requirements for communities to participate in the program:

• Have a maximum population of 50,000 people and be located at least 75 km from the main Census Metropolitan Area or have a minimum of 200,000 people and remote from other metropolitan areas
• Be situated in one of these provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario
• Have job vacancies
• Have an economic development plan
• Have a local economic development committee that can manage the pilot
• Have the ability to provide settlement services to new immigrants
• Be in good standing with the local or regional immigration organization
• Have opportunities for immigrants to connect with the existing community members
• Provide basic amenities like housing, education, transportation and health care

What are the Requirements for Immigrants Participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

If you want to immigrate to Canada through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, then you will have to meet requirements at both the federal and community level within your chosen community within that province.

To apply for permanent residency through this program, you must meet the following federal requirements:

• Be recommended by the designated community
• Have at least a year (1,560 hours) of experience in the last 3 years before applying. Noncontinuous and part-time work is also valid as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours
• Have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the community. You must have completed a full-time study program that lasted for 2 years in the last 18 months before applying. You must also have been living in the community for at least 16 months out of the 2 year study period.
• Have a valid job offer from a designated employer based in the community
• Meet the language proficiency requirements
• Demonstrate enough financial resources to support yourself and your family members
• Demonstrate intent to live in the community

You can get a community recommendation based on your intention to reside in the community, a valid job offer, required work experience, skills and ties to the community. The local economic development committee grants the recommendations.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program Processing Time

The processing time for permanent residence under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program can vary depending on the participating community and IRCC.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program Refusal

These are some of the top reasons why an Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program candidate may be refused:

• Applicant does not meet community-specific requirements
• Insufficient work experience (excluding international students)
• Applicant does not meet language requirements
• Insufficient settlement funds (if applicable)

Who nominates applicants for permanent residency through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

Communities are responsible for endorsing candidates for permanent residency through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

What is the process of applying for permanent residency through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

Along with meeting the provincial community requirements, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements laid down by the government body of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the federal level.

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