Last chance to immigrate to rural and northern Canada?

Canada's rural and northern immigration program is nearing its end. Eleven communities across the country are participating in the pilot, all of which have recently updated their application information.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

The intake of applications has already ended due to the huge number of applicants. Thunder Bay has recommended about 400 applicants for permanent residency under RNIP.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie is not accepting applications as of January 15, 2024.

Sudbury, Ontario

Will accept RNIP applications through February 1, 2024. Applications received after February 1, 2024 will not be considered.

Timmins, Ontario

Due to the increased number of applications received and the limited number of recommendations remaining for the pilot, the application intake scheduled for January 2024 is canceled. The application intake closed on December 23, 2023.

North Bay, Ontario

Will cease accepting applications on January 31, 2024. The last session will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Gretna — Rhineland — Altona — Plum Coulee, Manitoba

Applications are still being accepted for a set list of occupations.

Brandon, Manitoba

The community accepts RNIP applications from all sectors except trucking. Truckers are not eligible for the Brandon RNIP program because the work is performed outside of the community boundaries.

Once the maximum number of community recommendations has been reached, the accommodation and retail sector will stop accepting applications.

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Acceptance of applications will close on January 31, 2024 at 23:59 local time.

Claresholm, Alberta

The community has issued all available invitations for 2024. Interested candidates can still apply. They will not be reviewed at this time, but will be stored in the Community database in case the program is renewed.

West Kootenay, British Columbia.

Not currently accepting applications, but admission may reopen in the future.

Vernon, British Columbia

Will accept RNIP applications through February 5, 2024. Applications received after February 5, 2024 will not be considered.

About the pilot

The Rural and Northern Pilot allows interested candidates to find a job in one of the participating communities. The community makes recommendations to the most suitable applicants, who then apply for permanent residence to the Ministry of Immigration. Successful applicants receive both employment and official status in Canada.

The pilot is limited in duration, but there is a possibility that it will be extended after the results are tallied. You can read more about the program in a separate article.