Are you planning on immigrating to Canada but having second thoughts because of the complex application process? Fear not because the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot offers an easier Canadian immigration process. Who knows, this could be the chance you are waiting for.
What is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?
To help smaller communities in Canada benefit from economic immigration, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot that will attract foreign skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. If the workers are willing to work and reside in the participating communities, they can benefit from the easier Canadian immigration process:
- Instead of the continuous work experience, candidates can now apply by accumulating the required one-year work experience or 1,560 hours in the previous three years;
- Find employers who will have job offers in the community they are interested in and
- Apply to the community directly.
What are the Participating Communities for the Pilot?
Because of the decline in the birth rate and the ageing Canadian population, rural Canada is experiencing a significant decrease in its workforce. To help drive economic growth and promote middle-class occupations, the IRCC offers this community-driven program to attract foreign skilled workers who want to make one of these communities their new home.
Each participating community has its own set of economic needs and community requirements. Therefore, they will be the ones to assess candidates who submitted their Canada PR applications. Additionally, they are also the ones who will send recommendations to IRCC, which in turn will make the final decision on who to accept.
What is the Application Process?
To start with your application, follow this process:
1. Check your eligibility;
2. Find a job (either in the community you are interested in applying to or to any community that offers a job you are qualified for);
3. Obtain a job offer;
4. Apply to the participating community for a recommendation;
5. Prepare and submit your PR application to the IRCC and
6. Receive approval (or otherwise).
How does it become an easier Canadian immigration process? Before you even approach the IRCC to submit your PR application, you already have the job offer from the employer and a recommendation from one of the participating communities. This means you have a higher chance of PR approval.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Permanent Residence through this Pilot?
Are you interested in working and settling in one of these communities? You must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. IRCC requirements
- Qualifying work experience – at least one year of full-time work or its equivalent in part-time in the previous three years. If you are an international student and graduated from a publicly-funded post-secondary institution from the community where you are applying for permanent residence, you may be exempt from the required work experience. Learn more here.
- Language requirement – The minimum requirement depends on what is indicated in the NOC category where your job offer applies. Check your NOC here.
- Educational requirement – One of these must apply to you:
- Secondary school diploma in Canada;
- Canadian post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree; or
- Educational Credential Assessment or ECA report that indicates your education equals a Canadian high school diploma or Canadian post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree. The report must be issued earlier than five years from the date you submitted your PR application.
- Having enough funds to support yourself, as well as your family members, regardless of whether they will come with you to Canada or not.
2. Community requirements
- Requirements depend on the community you will settle in.
3. Job offer
1. You must have a valid job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities, and it must be for a full-time position and non-seasonal.
2. The job offer must indicate permanent employment.
3. You are offered a wage equal to or more than the minimum wage set by Job Bank and according to your NOC.
4. Your experience must indicate that you can work on the duties of the job offered to you.
5. The NOC skill level of the job offered to you must be similar to your NOC skill level or only one level above or below it.
To learn more about the RNIP and experience how much easier the Canadian immigration process is, you may contact Sure Immigration now.
