North Bay announces designated employers for rural pathway to permanent residence

In a major development for foreign skilled workers eyeing Canadian permanent residency, North Bay has officially announced its list of designated employers eligible to support applications under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). This is a step towards a broader Canadian strategy of enhancing economic growth in smaller, rural locations by tackling labour shortages through tactical immigration.

The RCIP, a federal-provincial initiative similar in structure to the Ontario PNP, is specifically designed to attract skilled foreign workers to rural regions of Canada, including parts of Northern Ontario such as North Bay.

What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot?

In smaller communities, skilled foreign workers can be nominated for permanent residence (PR) under the community-driven Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). It is focused on supporting the labour markets in regions other than the big metropolitan areas, in which the labour shortages are even more severe.

To apply under RCIP, a foreign national is required to:

• Acquire a legitimate employment offer from a reputable company in a participating community.
• Match a priority with the job offer. NOC code (National Occupation Classification)
• Pass federal eligibility conditions, such as work experience, education, proficiency in a language, and settlement funds

This pilot offers a streamlined path to both PR and a Canada Work Permit, often with lower eligibility thresholds than the Express Entry system.

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The Selected Employers and Priority Sector in North Bay

By 2025, North Bay will join other Ontario communities like Sudbury and Timmins as the government formally launches RCIP activities.

These are the job positions that cater to the regional labour needs and will aid in the local economic development strategy of North Bay.

Application Process and Eligibility

The applicant process first has to start by having a job offer from a designated North Bay employer. An employer who wishes to take part in an upcoming intake window must have already provided an Employer Designation Application.

The initial intake of applications will be open between June 23 and June 27, 2025. 

As soon as an employer is approved and makes a nomination of a foreign national, the candidate can:

• Get a recommendation form for permanent residency
• Be eligible to apply for a Canada Work Permit while their PR application is being processed

Although they will have been invited, there is still the final approval at the federal level after which the permanent residence can be given.

Why is this important to future immigrants?

It is a great chance for a skilled foreign worker who wants to immigrate to Canada by rural admission, particularly those who have been unable to attain high CRS cut-offs in the federal Express Entry pool.

The RCIP allows them a shorter direct access to PR, along with the community support that has been found very advantageous and desirable by the workers who are already settled in Canada on a temporary permit or those interested in settling in smaller, cheaper cities such as North Bay.

Additionally, bilingual or French-speaking candidates may also be eligible for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), a related stream aimed at increasing French-speaking populations outside Quebec.

Conclusion

Working for a designated employer under the RCIP is a smart and advantageous way to become a permanent resident of Canada, especially since there are few nomination positions available and a growing need for talent in rural Ontario. North Bay is fast becoming an attractive alternative to the major cities, especially to the workers who understand priority occupations and are willing to relocate.

Stay updated with Canada Immigration News for the latest developments on the RCIP, Ontario PNP, and designated employer lists.

Tags: Rural Community Immigration Pilot Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Ontario PNP Canada Work Permit Canada Immigration News RCIP apply for Canada Work Permit rural pathway to permanent residence