IRCC Introduces New Canadian Rural Pilot Programs for PR
IRCC has introduced two innovative pilot programs in Canada!
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot programs are designed to support rural and francophone minority communities throughout Canada.
Through these initiatives, IRCC intends to uphold access to programs that address labor shortages and assist local businesses in recruiting skilled workers in rural areas.
These programs will create opportunities for individuals from India seeking Canada PR who wish to immerse themselves in smaller communities for an extended duration.
Both of these new immigration pilot programs are set to be launched in Fall 2024. Further details will be disclosed in the coming months.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot
Pilot programs are limited to a maximum duration of 5 years. Consequently, IRCC intends to replace the existing Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) with the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
Since the inception of RNIP, it has positively impacted 11 distinct Canadian communities across 5 provinces by recruiting and retaining immigrants seeking settlement in these regions. This program has effectively addressed critical labor and demographic challenges in these areas.
The 5 provinces encompassed by RNIP are Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Canada PR through RNIP
With the introduction of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will transition into a permanent program. Therefore, individuals planning to relocate to Canada through RNIP must meet eligibility criteria and obtain a recommendation from the community through a “designated community economic development organization.”
Additionally, applicants must satisfy one of the following federal requirements for RNIP:
Set 1:
- Receive a recommendation from one of the designated communities
- Possess at least one year of eligible and continuous work experience within the past 3 years (equivalent to 1,560 hours)
Set 2:
- Graduate from a post-secondary institution in the recommending community, publicly funded
- Hold a job offer to work in one of the designated communities
- Meet the language proficiency requirements corresponding to the NOC skill type or level of the offered job
- Demonstrate financial capacity to settle and support oneself and family
- Express intention to reside in the community
- Meeting education prerequisites, securing job offers, fulfilling language requirements, etc., are additional eligibility criteria for Canada PR under RNIP.
As of December 31, 2023, approximately 4,595 immigrants obtained permanent residency in Canada through RNIP, contributing to filling labor gaps in key sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, retail, scientific and technical services.
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
IRCC’s Francophone Community Immigration Pilot program aligns with the federal government’s dedication to enhancing economic development and demographic expansion within Francophone minority communities outside Quebec.
The primary objective of this pilot initiative is to foster linguistic diversity and bolster the development of dynamic Francophone communities throughout Canada by attracting skilled French-speaking immigrants.
This commitment is further reflected in recent category-based Express Entry draws, where thousands of eligible French-speaking candidates have been invited, provided they meet the stipulated criteria.
| Date of Draw | Type of Draw | No. of Invitations to Apply (ITA) issued | CRS score of lowest ranked candidate invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 1, 2024 | French language proficiency (2023-1) | 7,000 | 365 |
| February 29, 2024 | French language proficiency (2024-1) | 2,500 | 336 |
As of March 21, a total of 9,500 candidates proficient in French have received invitations.
If you possess French language skills, stay updated on the latest Express Entry draws in 2024.
The introduction of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot underscores Canada’s commitment to addressing the needs of smaller regions and communities.
Both of these new immigration pilot programs by IRCC are scheduled to launch in Fall 2024.
This presents an exciting opportunity for skilled workers in India with relevant skills and experience to relocate to Canada.
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