The Rural and Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) offers eligible employers a valuable opportunity to address crucial labor shortages within their communities. Through this program, employers can extend full-time permanent job offers to skilled foreign workers who possess the expertise needed to fill these gaps effectively. By participating in the RCIP, employers not only meet their immediate staffing needs but also contribute to the growth and development of their communities, creating a more robust and sustainable workforce.
RCIP: Fostering Long-Term Residency and Workforce Stability
The RCIP is tailored for individuals who intend to establish long-term residence in the community and for employers seeking to retain workers over an extended period.
The Rural and Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) program is executed in various regions across Canada. As of my last update, these regions included:
Thunder Bay, Ontario | Brandon, Manitoba |
Sault Ste Marie, Ontario | Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba |
Sudbury, Ontario | Claresholm, Alberta |
Timmins, Ontario | North-Okanagan(Vernon), British Columbia |
North Bay, Ontario | West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia |
As a first step, all employers wishing to participate in the RCIP and/or FCIP programs must meet the legal requirements of a designated employer, as outlined by Immigrations, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which are outlined below. The employer must prove:
Employers must also take the required training that is offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Information on this is available on the IRCC’s website.
Community Requirements and details on priority industries and occupations will be released a later date.
The RCIP is a community-focused immigration program designed by the Canadian government to help smaller towns and rural regions attract skilled workers. If you're ready to live and work in a close-knit community, this program offers a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
To qualify for RCIP, you must:
At CITRN, we help you assess your eligibility and guide you every step of the way.
RCIP offers you:
Plus, with CITRN’s 35+ years of experience, you're in trusted hands.
CITRN provides full-service support, including:
We take pride in helping you succeed — professionally, quickly, and with integrity.
RCIP includes rural and smaller communities across Canada — from Ontario and British Columbia to Alberta and Manitoba. Each community has specific labor needs and designated job sectors. We help you find the right opportunity in the right place.
Typical job roles under RCIP include:
At CITRN, we connect you with genuine job offers that qualify under the program.
No, RCIP is LMIA-exempt, meaning employers don’t need to go through the usual Labour Market Impact Assessment. However, the job offer must come from a designated employer in an RCIP-approved community. We help verify all compliance aspects.
Absolutely. If your RCIP application is approved, your spouse and dependent children can join you in Canada. Depending on your status, they may be eligible for open work permits or study permits.
Generally, the RCIP process includes:
We help you fast-track everything by ensuring zero errors and full compliance from the beginning.
Yes, the RCIP program remains active in 2025, and many communities continue to welcome foreign workers. CITRN stays updated with the latest immigration policies and community openings so that you never miss an opportunity