Canada has officially launched two new immigration pilots: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). These programs will provide skilled newcomers with a direct pathway to permanent residence while supporting the growth of rural and Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec.

New Immigration Pathways for Skilled Workers

For years, smaller communities across Canada have struggled to attract and retain skilled workers, as most newcomers settle in major urban centers. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) successfully connected businesses with much-needed talent, and now, the Canadian government is expanding on that success by introducing RCIP and FCIP.

• The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) will help 14 rural communities across six provinces find skilled workers for critical job vacancies.

• The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) will focus on boosting the number of French-speaking newcomers settling outside Quebec in six Francophone minority communities.

These pilots are designed to help foreign nationals secure permanent residence (PR) faster while ensuring they contribute to the long-term economic success of their chosen communities.

Which Communities Are Participating?

The following communities will take part in these pilots:

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Communities:

• 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

• Peace Liard, BC

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) Communities:

• Acadian Peninsula, NB

• Sudbury, ON

• Timmins, ON

• Superior East Region, ON

• St. Pierre Jolys, MB

• Kelowna, BC

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, candidates must:

1. Have a job offer from an employer in one of the selected communities.

2. Demonstrate work experience and qualifications that match the region’s labor market needs.

3. Intend to live and work in the participating community long-term.

The local economic development organizations in each community will work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to identify labor gaps, assess employer needs, and recommend qualified applicants for permanent residence.

What’s Next?

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) offer a unique opportunity to settle in welcoming communities that need your skills and our team of immigration experts can guide you through exploring these options for permanent residency in Canada.

 Contact us for further assistance or book a consultation to get started today!