Last Updated On 10 June 2025, 5:49 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Today, Greater Sudbury, Ontario, announced its priority sectors and occupations for two groundbreaking immigration initiatives: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).

These employer-driven programs offer a golden opportunity for skilled foreign workers to secure permanent residency (PR) in Canada while addressing critical labour shortages in Sudbury’s urban and rural communities.

With 525 nomination slots for RCIP and 45 for FCIP in 2025, Sudbury is poised to welcome a wave of international talent, making it a prime destination for those seeking to build a new life in Canada.

Sudbury’s Strategic Role in Canada’s Immigration Landscape

As one of only a handful of communities selected to participate in both the RCIP and FCIP, Greater Sudbury is leveraging its unique position to address workforce gaps and foster long-term growth.

Administered by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) and funded by FedNor, the GSDC, and the City of Greater Sudbury, these pilots are tailored to attract skilled workers who are committed to settling in the region.

The RCIP focuses on filling labor shortages in rural areas, while the FCIP aims to bolster Francophone communities outside Quebec, enhancing linguistic and cultural diversity.

Sudbury’s vast geography, encompassing both a vibrant urban center and rural outposts, makes it an ideal candidate for these programs.

The city’s economic development team, in consultation with over 300 employers and Francophone leaders, has identified five priority sectors for each pilot, ensuring that the programs align with local workforce needs.

These initiatives build on the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), which welcomed over 2,700 newcomers to Sudbury since 2019, contributing $40 million to the local economy.

Full List of Occupations For Sudbury RCIP

Sudbury’s RCIP targets five key sectors to address labour shortages in its rural and urban areas:

Natural and Applied Sciences
Health
Education, Social, Community, and Government Services
Trades and Transport
Natural Resources and Agriculture

Only employers within these sectors can be designated to hire foreign workers through the RCIP.

Additionally, job offers must align with one of the following priority occupations:

Occupation Name	NOC Code
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers	12200
Administrative assistants	13110
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers	72410
Civil engineering technologists and technicians	22300
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics	72400
Construction trades helpers and labourers	75110
Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants	33100
Early childhood educators and assistants	42202
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	22310
Geological engineers	21331
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	72401
Heavy equipment operators	73400
Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations	44101
Labourers in mineral and metal processing	95100
Licensed practical nurses	32101
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians	22301
Mechanical engineers	21301
Mining engineers	21330
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates	33102
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment	32109
Physiotherapists	31202
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	31301
Social and community service workers	42201
Transport truck drivers	73300
Welders and related machine operators	72106

These occupations reflect Sudbury’s diverse economic needs, from healthcare and education to mining and transportation, ensuring that the RCIP addresses critical gaps in the local workforce.

Full List of Occupations For Sudbury, Ontario FCIP

The FCIP targets Francophone or bilingual workers with intermediate French proficiency, focusing on five sectors to support Sudbury’s Francophone community:

Business, Finance, and Administration
Health
Education, Social, Community, and Government Services
Arts, Culture, Recreation, and Sport
Trades and Transport

The following occupations are prioritized under the FCIP:

Occupation Name	NOC Code
Accounting and related clerks	14200
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers	12200
Administrative assistants	13110
Business development officers and market researchers and analysts	41402
Cashiers	65100
College and other vocational instructors	41210
Customer services representatives – financial institutions	64400
Early childhood educators and assistants	42202
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	22310
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	41221
Financial advisors	11102
Graphic designers and illustrators	52120
Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations	44101
Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203
Insurance agents and brokers	63100
Licensed practical nurses	32101
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates	33102
Pharmacists	31120
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants	33103
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations	11202
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	31301
Secondary school teachers	41220
Social and community service workers	42201
Transport truck drivers	73300
Welders and related machine operators	72106

How the RCIP and FCIP Work

Both the RCIP and FCIP are employer-focused pathways to permanent residency, requiring a valid job offer from a designated employer in a priority occupation.

Employers must be approved by a local economic development organization, such as the GSDC, to participate.

Candidates must also meet federal eligibility criteria, including work experience (at least one year or 1,560 hours in the past three years), language proficiency, education, and sufficient settlement funds.

International students who graduated from a public post-secondary institution in Sudbury may be exempt from the work experience requirement, provided their program meets specific conditions.

The RCIP operates on a points-based system, where applications are ranked in a candidate pool, with a minimum score of 50 points required for consideration.

The highest-scoring candidates are invited for further assessment, which may include an interview.

The FCIP, on the other hand, processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis, with recommendations issued until all 45 slots are filled. In case of ties, the earliest submitted application takes precedence.

The first intake period for both programs runs from June 23 to June 27, 2025, with employers required to submit a complete Employer Designation Application by June 12 to be eligible.

Successful candidates receive a community recommendation certificate, which they can use to apply for PR with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Optionally, candidates can obtain a temporary work permit while their PR application is processed, allowing them to start working in Sudbury sooner.

Sudbury’s selection for both pilots underscores its status as a regional hub for research, innovation, and industry.

The city offers a high quality of life, affordable housing, and a welcoming environment for newcomers.

With a population of 179,965 in 2024, Sudbury is experiencing a population boom, driven by strategic immigration initiatives like the RNIP and now the RCIP and FCIP.

Employers benefit from these programs by accessing a global talent pool to fill critical roles, while candidates gain a streamlined path to Canadian PR and the chance to build lasting careers in a dynamic community.

The programs also support family reunification, as spouses of candidates may be eligible for open work permits, allowing them to work for any employer in Sudbury.

Employers interested in participating must apply for designation through the GSDC, ensuring they operate within a priority sector and offer a job in an eligible occupation.

Candidates should secure a job offer from a designated employer and verify their eligibility based on IRCC criteria.

For more information, visit investsudbury.ca.

Whether you’re a skilled worker eyeing a new chapter in Canada or an employer seeking top talent, Sudbury’s RCIP and FCIP offer a pathway to success.

For the latest updates, follow trusted sources like Immigration News Canada.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.