This guide explains the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) using the pages of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as they read on October 11, 2026. It is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Each community sets its own priority sectors and runs its own recommendation process, so the community’s website and IRCC’s pages are the final word on any single application.
What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot?
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is an IRCC program that offers permanent residence to skilled workers who want to work and settle in rural and more remote communities. IRCC chose 14 communities that showed they can support and benefit from skilled migrants. Those communities approve (“designate”) local employers, who can then hire for jobs they cannot fill with local workers.
IRCC presents the RCIP together with a sister program, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), which has 6 communities. IRCC counts 18 selected communities across the two pilots, because Sudbury and Timmins are on both lists. IRCC showed the status of both pilots as open on October 11, 2026.
The pilot is employer-driven and community-driven. The route IRCC describes runs from a designated employer’s job offer, to the community’s recommendation, to an online permanent residence application with IRCC. IRCC’s pilot pages describe no federal points score or round of invitations of the kind Express Entry uses; each community runs its own recommendation process and can set its own intake rules. That is a different design from the provincial nominee programs, where a province selects the candidate.
Which communities are part of the RCIP?
The RCIP has 14 participating communities in six provinces. The table follows IRCC’s own list and order, and adds two columns that IRCC’s pages allow: whether the community is also on the Francophone pilot’s list, and whether it was on the list of the older Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
How to read this table: IRCC's landing page names 'North Bay and Area' without a province; its job-offer page lists it as North Bay, ON. A community is an area with a boundary map on IRCC's site, not only the named town.
| Community | Province | Also an FCIP community | On the closed RNIP list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pictou County | Nova Scotia | No | No |
| North Bay and Area | Ontario | No | Yes (listed as North Bay) |
| Sudbury | Ontario | Yes | Yes |
| Timmins | Ontario | Yes | Yes |
| Sault Ste. Marie | Ontario | No | Yes |
| Thunder Bay | Ontario | No | Yes |
| Steinbach | Manitoba | No | No |
| Altona/Rhineland | Manitoba | No | Yes |
| Brandon | Manitoba | No | Yes |
| Moose Jaw | Saskatchewan | No | Yes |
| Claresholm | Alberta | No | Yes |
| West Kootenay | British Columbia | No | Yes (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson) |
| North Okanagan Shuswap | British Columbia | No | No (RNIP listed Vernon) |
| Peace Liard | British Columbia | No | No |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
Grouped by province, the list is heavily weighted to Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba.
How to read this table: counted from IRCC's list of 14 rural communities. Provinces and territories not shown have no RCIP community.
| Province | RCIP communities | Which ones |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 5 | North Bay and Area, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay |
| British Columbia | 3 | West Kootenay, North Okanagan Shuswap, Peace Liard |
| Manitoba | 3 | Steinbach, Altona/Rhineland, Brandon |
| Nova Scotia | 1 | Pictou County |
| Saskatchewan | 1 | Moose Jaw |
| Alberta | 1 | Claresholm |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
The boundaries matter in practice. The job has to be within the community’s boundaries, and an employer has to do at least 75% of its business work inside the community to be designated. IRCC links a boundary map for every community from its pilots page.
Who qualifies for the RCIP?
IRCC lists five conditions for the permanent residence application, and a community recommendation is needed before that application can be filed. The table sets them out with the detail IRCC gives on each sub-page.
How to read this table: each row is a separate condition and all of them apply. Communities can add their own priority sectors and occupations on top.
| Requirement | IRCC rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer | A valid job offer from a designated employer in the community | Full time (at least 30 paid hours per week), non-seasonal, indeterminate, and within the community's boundaries |
| Work experience | At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 years | Paid work only; self-employment, volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count; TEER must be similar to the job offer |
| Language | An approved English or French test at CLB 6, 5 or 4, depending on the TEER of the job offer | Minimum score in all 4 abilities; results less than 2 years old when applying |
| Education | A Canadian educational credential or the foreign equivalent | Canadian high school diploma or post-secondary credential, or an educational credential assessment (ECA) report less than 5 years old |
| Settlement funds | Proof of enough money to support the applicant and family | Not required for someone already working in Canada with a valid work permit |
| Community recommendation | A recommendation from the participating community | The designated employer sends the recommendation application to the community; a recommendation certificate is needed before applying for permanent residence |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
Job offer from a designated employer
The job offer has to come from an employer the community has designated, and IRCC sets the shape of the job itself.
How to read this table: the employer completes the offer on form IMM 0247 and gives the candidate a copy to sign and submit.
| Rule | What IRCC requires |
|---|---|
| Location | Within the boundaries of the participating community |
| Hours | Full time, at least 30 paid hours per week |
| Season | Non-seasonal (year-round) |
| Duration | Indeterminate (no end date) |
| Skill level | At a similar skill level (TEER) to the candidate's qualifying work experience |
| Form | Offer of Employment to a Foreign National, Rural Community Immigration Pilot (IMM 0247) |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
IRCC states that the pilots do not match candidates with jobs. Each community posts its designated employers and available jobs on its own website when ready, and those sites are linked from IRCC’s “Get a job offer” page.
Work experience and the TEER match
The basic rule is at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 years. The work has to be paid, cannot be self-employment, and has to include the actions in the description of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and most of its main duties. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count. The experience also has to sit in a TEER category close to the job offer.
How to read this table: find the TEER of the job offer in the left column; the experience has to be in one of the categories on the right.
| TEER of the job offer | TEER of the work experience |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 |
| TEER 2 | TEER 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 3 or 4 | TEER 2, 3 or 4 |
| TEER 5 | Same 5-digit NOC code as the job offer |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
There is one stated exception for healthcare: experience in NOC 31301 (registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, TEER 1) can be paired with a job offer in NOC 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, TEER 3) or NOC 44101 (home support workers, caregivers and related occupations, TEER 4).
International graduates of a public post-secondary school in the community can be exempt from the work experience requirement altogether.
How to read this table: the exemption does not apply where English or French study, or distance learning, made up more than half of the program, or where a scholarship or fellowship requires a return to the home country.
| Type of program | Conditions IRCC sets |
|---|---|
| Program of 2 years or longer | Eligible credential from a public post-secondary school in the community; full-time study for the entire program; credential received no more than 18 months before applying for permanent residence; in the community for at least 16 of the last 24 months while studying |
| Master's degree or higher that took 2 years or less | Degree from a public post-secondary school in the community; full-time study for the entire degree; degree received no more than 18 months before applying for permanent residence; in the community for the length of the studies |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
Language level by TEER
The language minimum is tied to the TEER of the job offer, not to the applicant’s past jobs.
How to read this table: CLB is the Canadian Language Benchmark scale for English; French results use the equivalent NCLC scale. Results must be less than 2 years old on the application date.
| TEER of the job offer | Minimum level in all 4 abilities |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 6 |
| TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 |
| TEER 4 or 5 | CLB 4 |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
IRCC accepts CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. The IELTS to CLB chart shows the band score behind each CLB level.
Education
Applicants need a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma, a recognized Canadian post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree from a designated learning institution, or, for education outside Canada, an educational credential assessment (ECA) report showing the foreign credential is equal to one of those. The ECA report has to be less than 5 years old on the application date and come from a designated organization. Architects and pharmacists who need a licence to practise, and doctors whose primary occupation is physician, are assessed by their own professional bodies instead.
Settlement funds
Applicants have to prove they can support themselves and their family after arriving, with bank statements, bank drafts, cheques or money orders. The money has to be available both on the application date and when IRCC issues the permanent resident visa. Someone already working in Canada with a valid work permit does not need to show proof of funds.
How to read this table: family size counts the applicant, a spouse or common-law partner and all dependent children, including any who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents or who are not coming to Canada.
| Number of family members | Funds needed (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $10,507 |
| 2 | $13,080 |
| 3 | $16,080 |
| 4 | $19,524 |
| 5 | $22,143 |
| 6 | $24,975 |
| 7 | $27,806 |
| Each additional family member beyond 7 | $2,831 |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
For larger families, the last row is added per person. A family of 9 would need $33,468.
IRCC says this table is updated annually. On October 11, 2026 it was still labelled as updated July 29, 2025, so the amounts that count are the ones on IRCC’s settlement funds page on the application date. The RCIP uses its own table: Express Entry has a separate one, which is what the settlement funds checker works from.
How does the RCIP community recommendation work?
The community recommendation is the step that sets the RCIP apart: the designated employer sends the recommendation application directly to the community, and the candidate can only apply for permanent residence after the community sends a recommendation certificate.
How to read this table: steps 1 to 5 happen with the community; only step 6 is filed with IRCC.
| Step | Who acts | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Employer is designated | Community | The community approves the employer and issues a Confirmation of Designation |
| 2. Job offer | Designated employer and candidate | The employer completes form IMM 0247 and both sign it |
| 3. Recommendation application | Designated employer | Shows the job could not be filled locally, that the offer meets the pilot rules and that the candidate meets every requirement; no LMIA is needed |
| 4. Community review | Community | Checks that the job is in a priority sector or occupation, that the offer is real and that the candidate meets the pilot requirements |
| 5. Recommendation certificate | Community | Sent to the candidate if the community approves |
| 6. Permanent residence application | Candidate | Filed online with IRCC through the Permanent Residence Portal, with the fee receipt |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
In its recommendation application the employer has to show that it could not fill the job with someone locally, that the offer meets the pilot requirements and that the candidate meets all of them, and commit to connecting the candidate with immigrant settlement services. No labour market impact assessment is needed, which removes a step that many other employer-driven work routes involve; the LMIA guide explains what that assessment is.
Because the employer has to be designated first, it helps to know what a community checks before it designates one.
How to read this table: designation is decided by the community, not by IRCC, and the employer receives a Confirmation of Designation.
| Condition | What IRCC states |
|---|---|
| Time in business | Operating continuously for at least 2 years in a participating community (a community can still designate a recently relocated employer that will make a substantial contribution to its economy) |
| Priority occupation | Does business in at least one priority occupation the community has identified |
| Local activity | Does at least 75% of its business work inside the community |
| Training | Completes the free onboarding training and the free intercultural competency training |
| Settlement | Agrees to support the settlement of newcomers and their families |
| Not eligible | Consulates, staffing or employment agencies, businesses the candidate or spouse owns or controls (a stake of more than 50%), and businesses owned by an authorized immigration representative |
| Cost | No cost to become a designated employer; each community runs its own application |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
IRCC encourages candidates to get slow documents ready before the job offer is made: language test results, the ECA report, proof of work experience and proof of funds all go into the recommendation application.
How do you apply for permanent residence under the RCIP?
After the community’s recommendation arrives, the application is filed online through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal. An incomplete application is rejected and has to be fixed and submitted again.
How to read this table: the first four are PDF forms specific to the pilot and are uploaded; the others are digital forms filled out inside the portal for the applicant and any family member aged 18 or older.
| Form number | Form |
|---|---|
| IMM 0246 | Document Checklist, Rural Community Immigration Pilot |
| IMM 0247 | Offer of Employment to a Foreign National, Rural Community Immigration Pilot |
| IMM 0248 | Schedule 1, Rural Community Immigration Pilot |
| IMM 0249 | Recommendation from the Designated Economic Development Organization, Rural Community Immigration Pilot |
| IMM 0008 | Generic Application Form for Canada (filled out in the portal) |
| IMM 5669 | Schedule A, Background/Declaration (filled out in the portal) |
| IMM 5406 | Additional Family Information (filled out in the portal) |
| IMM 5562 | Supplementary Information, Your travels (filled out in the portal) |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
The application also carries proof of language, education, settlement funds and work experience, passport pages, civil status documents, photos and the fee receipt. IRCC asks for a police certificate for each country lived in for 6 months or more since age 18. After the application is in, applicants aged 14 to 79 give biometrics within 30 days of IRCC’s instruction letter, and the applicant and family members complete a medical exam.
IRCC’s RCIP pages do not state a processing time. The acknowledgement of receipt letter is what allows the application status to be tracked online.
How much does the RCIP cost?
IRCC’s fee list places the “rural or francophone community immigration pilots” in its economic immigration fee group, alongside programs such as the provincial nominee class.
How to read this table: the right of permanent residence fee does not apply to dependent children. Fees are paid online and the receipt is uploaded with the application.
| Fee | Amount (CAD) | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Principal applicant: processing fee | $990 | With the permanent residence application |
| Principal applicant: right of permanent residence fee | $600 | Before the application is approved; can be paid upfront |
| Spouse or partner: processing fee | $990 | With the permanent residence application |
| Spouse or partner: right of permanent residence fee | $600 | Before the application is approved; can be paid upfront |
| Each dependent child | $270 | With the permanent residence application |
| Biometrics, per person | $85 | With the permanent residence application |
| Biometrics, family of 2 or more (maximum) | $170 | With the permanent residence application |
| Optional work permit, per person | $155 | Only if the optional 2-year work permit is requested |
| Open work permit holder fee (spouse or partner's open work permit) | $100 | Added to the work permit fee for an open work permit |
| Employer compliance fee (paid by the employer) | $230 | When the employer submits the offer of employment for the optional work permit |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
Put together, a single applicant pays $1,675 in IRCC fees. A couple with one dependent child pays $3,620. Neither total includes the optional work permit, and IRCC notes that most people also pay for a medical exam, police certificates, a language test and an ECA. The IRCC permanent residence fees guide covers how and when each federal fee is paid.
Can you work while the RCIP application is processed?
Yes, through an optional work permit that exists only for the pilot. It is separate from the permanent residence application and has its own fee.
How to read this table: the permit is tied to the designated employer. The spouse or partner's open work permit is limited to the same community.
| Topic | What IRCC states |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | Someone who has applied for permanent residence under the RCIP, with an eligible offer of employment from the designated employer and a recommendation from a participating community |
| Length | Valid for 2 years |
| Employer | Employer-specific: work is allowed only for the employer who made the job offer |
| Before applying | The employer submits the offer of employment in the Employer Portal, pays the $230 employer compliance fee and gives the worker the 7-digit offer of employment number |
| Spouse or common-law partner | Can apply for an open work permit at the same time; it allows work only in the same community |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
How is the RCIP different from the FCIP and the old RNIP?
The RCIP and the FCIP are run side by side with the same list of core requirements; the main differences IRCC states are the communities and the language rule. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is the earlier pilot, which IRCC now lists as closed.
How to read this table: each cell repeats only what IRCC's page for that pilot says. The RNIP column describes a program that no longer takes applications.
| Feature | RCIP | FCIP | RNIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status on IRCC's site | Open | Open | Closed: ended August 31, 2024 |
| Communities | 14 rural communities | 6 Francophone-minority communities | 11 communities |
| Language | English or French: CLB 6, 5 or 4 by the TEER of the job offer | French only: NCLC 5 in all 4 abilities | Closed to new applications |
| Accepted tests | CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada | TEF Canada, TCF Canada | Closed to new applications |
| Job offer | From a designated employer in the community | From a designated employer in the community | From an employer in a participating community |
| Work experience | At least 1 year (1,560 hours) in the past 3 years | At least 1 year (1,560 hours) in the past 3 years | Closed to new applications |
| Who sends the recommendation application | The designated employer | The designated employer | The candidate applied to the community |
| IRCC permanent residence fees | Economic immigration fee schedule | Same schedule as the RCIP | Applications received by August 31, 2024 are still processed |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
The six FCIP communities are listed by IRCC as follows.
How to read this table: Sudbury and Timmins appear on both the RCIP and FCIP lists. IRCC notes that the Acadian Peninsula's website is available in French only.
| Community | Province |
|---|---|
| Acadian Peninsula | New Brunswick |
| Sudbury | Ontario |
| Timmins | Ontario |
| Superior East Region | Ontario |
| St. Pierre Jolys | Manitoba |
| Kelowna | British Columbia |
Source: Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — rural communities list — IRCC; Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots — Francophone communities list — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot — number of communities — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Who can apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — what counts — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — healthcare exception — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — graduate exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — master's exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Work experience — when the exemption does not apply — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — test validity — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — accepted tests — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Education assessment — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settlement funds — exemption — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community recommendation — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — what communities check — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Get a job offer — community list with provinces — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — pilot forms — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — police certificates — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Apply for permanent residence — other costs — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: After you apply — biometrics — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Settling in Canada — PR card address — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — IRCC; Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Optional work permit — spouses — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — job offer requirements — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Hire a candidate — no job matching — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — share of business in the community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — who cannot be designated — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Get designated as an employer — no cost — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation to your community — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Submit a recommendation — recommendation certificate — IRCC; Hire through the pilots: Optional work permit for candidates — employer compliance fee — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — IRCC; Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Language assessment — French required — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: about the pilot — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — participating communities — IRCC; Closed: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot — recommendation step — IRCC; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (economic immigration, including rural or francophone community immigration pilots); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (right of permanent residence fee); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (biometrics); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list — IRCC (open work permit holder). In effect from August 31, 2026; checked October 11, 2026.
On the RNIP, IRCC’s page is short: the pilot ended on August 31, 2024, applications received on or before that date are still being processed, and people with one of those applications can still apply for a work permit if eligible. Its list had 11 communities. Most of those names appear again on the RCIP list. Pictou County, Steinbach, North Okanagan Shuswap and Peace Liard are names on the RCIP list only, and Vernon is a name on the RNIP list only.
What happens after RCIP approval?
IRCC emails next steps as soon as an application is approved. After permanent resident status is confirmed, an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (e-COPR) is issued, and the first PR card is produced from a photo uploaded in the portal, with no separate application. Anyone who did not give a Canadian mailing address when becoming a permanent resident has 180 days to send one through IRCC’s address tool, or the card is cancelled; the PR card guide covers what happens after that.
The signed confirmation of permanent residence can be used to apply for a Social Insurance Number, which is needed to work and to access government programs. A Canadian account for pay deposits is the other early task, and the newcomer bank account guide compares the options. The RCIP expects settlement in the community: the designated employer agrees to support the settlement of the newcomer and family and to connect them with local settlement services.
Common RCIP mistakes
- Looking for an IRCC application before finding an employer. Nothing can be filed with IRCC until a designated employer has made the offer and the community has recommended the candidate.
- Accepting an offer from an employer that is not designated. Only employers holding the community’s Confirmation of Designation can use the pilot. Staffing agencies cannot be designated at all.
- Assuming the job’s location is inside the community. The boundary maps decide that, not the name of the nearest town.
- Matching the language level to the wrong TEER. The minimum follows the TEER of the job offer.
- Counting self-employment or unpaid work. Neither counts toward the 1,560 hours.
- Using the Express Entry funds table. The RCIP has its own settlement funds table.
- Treating the RNIP as still open. That pilot ended on August 31, 2024.
What changes next?
- Settlement funds: IRCC says the table is updated annually, and the version online on October 11, 2026 was dated July 29, 2025.
- Communities and employers: each community adds designated employers and jobs to its website over time, and sets its own priority sectors and occupations.
- Fees: IRCC’s fee list is the source for the amounts above and is re-read whenever this page is reviewed.
- Pilot status: IRCC’s RCIP pages show the status as open and do not state an end date.
For a question about a specific file, IRCC’s web form and the “check your application status” tool are the official routes once an acknowledgement of receipt has arrived. Questions about designation, priority occupations or a recommendation go to the community itself. Other routes into the same provinces, such as the Manitoba provincial nominee program, have separate rules.