Last Updated On 30 January 2025, 6:32 PM EST (Toronto Time)

On January 30, 2025, the Government of Canada unveiled two transformative permanent residency pilots aimed at bolstering the economic and cultural vitality of rural and Francophone minority communities across the nation.

These initiatives, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), are set to redefine how newcomers integrate into less urbanized regions, providing a fresh influx of talent and diversity to areas often overlooked in traditional immigration pathways.

Rural and Francophone Canada Background

The rural landscapes and Francophone communities outside Quebec have long been the heartbeats of cultural diversity and economic resilience.

However, these areas frequently grapple with demographic decline and labour shortages as the majority of immigrants gravitate towards urban centres like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

This disparity has highlighted the need for targeted immigration strategies that cater specifically to the unique needs of these regions.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

The RCIP is designed to empower rural communities by ensuring they have access to the workforce necessary for growth and sustainability.

Launched with the backing of the Honourable Marc Miller, this pilot builds on the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), which has proven effective in matching skilled workers with job opportunities in remote areas.

14 communities from across the country, including Pictou County in Nova Scotia, North Bay in Ontario, and West Kootenay in British Columbia, have been selected to benefit from this program.

Click here to check the full detailed eligibility criteria of this new Rural Canada Permanent Residency Pathway.

Full Eligibility Criteria For Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

As per IRCC, to apply for permanent residence through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), you must:

have a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community
have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 yearsWhat counts as related work experience?Your work experience must
- be at a skill level related to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category of your job offerinclude the actions listed in the description of your NOCinclude most of the main duties
- Job offer is TEER 0 or 1: Your work experience must be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- Job offer is TEER 2: Your work experience must be in TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4.
- Job offer is TEER 3 or 4: Your work experience must be in TEER 2, 3 or 4.
- Job offer is TEER 5:Your work experience must be in the same 5 digit NOC code
- Exception for healthcare workersIf your work experience is in NOC 31301 (Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses – TEER 1), you can have a job offer in one of the following occupation categories:
  - NOC 33102 (TEER 3): Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates orNOC 44101 (TEER 4): Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
Work experience exemption if you studied and graduated in the communityYou don’t need to meet the work experience requirement if you’re an international student who graduated from a public post-secondary school in the community with
- an eligible credential in a program of 2 years or longer and you
  - studied full-time for the entire programgot your credential no more than 18 months before applying for permanent residencewere in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months while studying
  a master’s degree or higher that took 2 years or less and you
  - studied full-time for your entire degreegot your degree no more than 18 months before applying for permanent residencewere in the community for the length of your studies
This exemption does not apply to international graduates if your credential is from a program where
- studying English or French made up more than half of the programdistance learning made up more than half of the programyou received a scholarship or fellowship that requires you to return to your home country to use what you learned
What is an eligible credential?An eligible credential means a degree, diploma, certificate, trade or apprenticeship credential from a publicly funded Canadian post-secondary institution in the recommending community.
The minimum score you need depends on the NOC TEER category of your job offer:
- TEER 0 or 1: CLB 6
- TEER 2 or 3: CLB 5
- TEER 4 or 5: CLB 4
have a Canadian educational credential or the foreign equivalent
- Canadian secondary school (high school) diplomarecognized Canadian post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree from a designated learning institution
For education outside of Canada: An educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization or professional body that
- is less than 5 years old on the date you apply
- shows you completed a foreign credential equal to a
  - Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or Canadian post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree
prove you have enough money to support your transition and your family’s transition into the community as listed below:

Number of family members	Funds you need (in Canadian dollars)
1	$7,963
2	$9,692
3	$12,069
4	$15,056
5	$17,145
6	$19,015
7	$20,884
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member, add	$1,869

Full List of Eligible Communities for Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP):

Peace Liard, BC
Pictou County, NS
North Bay, ON
Sudbury, ON
Timmins, ON
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Thunder Bay, ON
Steinbach, MB
Altona/Rhineland, MB
Brandon, MB
Moose Jaw, SK
Claresholm, AB
West Kootenay, BC
North Okanagan Shuswap, BC

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

Parallel to the RCIP, the FCIP focuses on enhancing the demographic and linguistic presence of French-speaking individuals in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec.

This initiative is part of a broader commitment to bilingualism and cultural preservation.

Six communities, including the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, Sudbury, and Timmins in Ontario, are part of this initiative.

These areas are known for their vibrant French-speaking cultures and are in dire need of demographic reinforcement to maintain their linguistic identity.

The FCIP aims to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants, thereby supporting economic development and reversing demographic decline.

It aligns with IRCC’s Francophone Immigration Policy, which seeks to enhance the presence of French-speaking Canadians outside Quebec.

Communities participating in the FCIP also benefit from the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, which provides additional support for integrating newcomers, ensuring they have the resources to thrive culturally and economically.

The following is a full list of communities that will participate in the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP):

Kelowna, BC
Acadian Peninsula, NB
Sudbury, ON
Timmins, ON
Superior East Region, ON
St. Pierre Jolys, MB

Government Commitment and Vision

The introduction of these pilots reflects a strategic pivot towards inclusive immigration policies that recognize the potential of all regions.

The Honourable Marc Miller emphasized the government’s dedication:

“Rural and Francophone communities are vital to Canada’s growth and cultural diversity, and we value the unique contributions that newcomers make in these places.“

“By welcoming skilled immigrants to these areas, we are addressing labour shortages and economic needs while promoting the benefits of living in a smaller town or city. Our commitment to supporting these regions reflects our belief that each one matters.”

“That is why we will make the RNIP a permanent program, and why we are introducing these two new pilots. We’ll continue to work closely with these communities as we work to connect businesses with the skilled workers they need to thrive.”

This vision is echoed by The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, who sees these programs as pivotal for rural economic development:

“When our rural and remote communities succeed, Canada succeeds—it’s as simple as that. Through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, your federal government is helping to fill jobs and drive growth in our magical, small communities, making life better for everyone who lives there.”

Quick Facts and Insights

Policy Background: The initiatives follow the release of “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future” in October 2023, which outlined strategies for a more adaptive immigration system tailored to regional needs.

Retention Success: The RNIP has shown promising results, with an 87% retention rate of newcomers in participating communities as of October 2022.

Impact Numbers: By the end of 2024, 8,580 individuals had secured permanent residency through the RNIP, significantly impacting sectors critical to rural economies.

The launch of the RCIP and FCIP by the Canadian Government is not just a policy update; it’s a beacon of hope for rural and Francophone communities.

These pilots represent a significant step towards equitable distribution of country’s growth and cultural richness.

As these communities prepare to welcome new members, the nation watches with anticipation for the positive changes these initiatives will bring, promising a future where every part of country can thrive.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.