Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) ended on August 31, 2024. IRCC still processes applications it received by that date, and the community-driven route now runs through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in 14 rural communities. Here is what that means for you.
Status: ended on August 31, 2024
RNIP status at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Status | Closed: ended August 31, 2024 |
| New applications | Not accepted |
| Applications received on or before August 31, 2024 | Still processed by IRCC |
| Work permit while you wait | Eligible applicants can still apply for one |
| Successor | Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), status open |
| French-speaking alternative | Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) |
If you applied under RNIP
IRCC says it will continue to process applications received on or before August 31, 2024. If you are eligible, you can still apply for a work permit so you can work while IRCC processes your permanent residence application. If you had not applied for permanent residence by that date, the route now is the RCIP, which has its own requirements, including a job offer from a designated employer.
What replaced it: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot keeps the community-driven idea: a local job offer, a community recommendation, then a federal permanent residence application. IRCC says that to apply you must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community, at least one year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past three years, an approved language test, a Canadian educational credential or the foreign equivalent, and enough money to support yourself and your family. Our RCIP guide covers the language level by TEER, the graduate exemption, fees and the optional work permit.
| RNIP (ended) | RCIP (open) | |
|---|---|---|
| Communities | 11 | 14 |
| In both | North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Brandon, Altona/Rhineland, Moose Jaw, Claresholm, West Kootenay | Same ten (North Bay is listed as North Bay and Area) |
| Only in one | Vernon, BC | Pictou County, NS; Steinbach, MB; North Okanagan Shuswap, BC; Peace Liard, BC |
| Employer | An employer in a participating community | A designated employer in the community |
What RNIP was (historical)
RNIP was a community-driven program designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities. Candidates had to meet IRCC's eligibility requirements and their community's own requirements, find an eligible job with an employer in a participating community, apply to that community for a recommendation and, if recommended, apply for permanent residence. Communities assessed candidates against local economic needs and connected newcomers with settlement services and mentoring.
If you have no job offer in a pilot community, compare the Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry, or try our free eligibility check. Wild Mountain Immigration works under a licensed RCIC (CICC #R706497); start on the contact page for an honest assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot still open?
No. IRCC says the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot ended on August 31, 2024 and it is no longer accepting new applications. It continues to process applications received on or before that date. The open community-driven route is now the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), alongside the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).
I applied for permanent residence under RNIP before it ended. What happens now?
IRCC says it will continue to process applications it received on or before August 31, 2024, and that if you are eligible you can still apply for a work permit so you can work while it processes your application.
What replaced RNIP?
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). It is a separate pilot with its own list of 14 rural communities. You need a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community, at least one year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past three years, an approved language test, a Canadian educational credential or the foreign equivalent, and enough money to support yourself and your family.
Is my RNIP community part of the RCIP?
Ten of the eleven RNIP communities are named on the RCIP list: North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Brandon, Altona/Rhineland, Moose Jaw, Claresholm and West Kootenay. Vernon is not named. The RCIP adds Pictou County, Steinbach, North Okanagan Shuswap and Peace Liard. Each community publishes a boundary map, so check that the job location falls inside it.
Can I rely on an RNIP job offer or community recommendation for the RCIP?
Not as a substitute for meeting the RCIP's own rules. The RCIP is a separate pilot, and IRCC says you need a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community, so plan your application around the RCIP's current requirements rather than anything issued under RNIP.
Rural and community routes open now
RNIP has ended. These are the routes to look at instead.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot
The open successor to RNIP: a designated employer's job offer and a community recommendation in one of 14 rural communities.
Learn moreProvincial Nominee Programs
Provinces run their own nominee streams for in-demand workers, often beyond the big cities.
Learn moreExpress Entry
The main federal system to permanent residence, which can complement a regional plan.
Learn moreConsidering a rural community route?
Tell us about your job offer and the community you have in mind and a licensed RCIC will check it against the RCIP. Honest advice, clear fees.
A licensed RCIC replies by email, usually within two business days.
Licensed RCIC Nicola Wightman, CICC licence R706497.Verify on the CICC public register (opens in a new tab)