Rural and Northern Immigration Program

The Rural and Northern Immigration pilot program is a Canadian immigration program for foreign workers who want to live and work outside the big cities. Successful applicants to the Rural and Northern Immigration pilot, plus accompanying family members, obtain Canadian permanent residence.

There are currently 11 communities accepting applications through the Rural and Northern Immigration pilot.

Claresholm, Alberta
West Kootenay Region, British Columbia
Vernon, British Columbia
Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
North Bay, Ontario
Sault Ste-Marie, Ontario
Sudbury, Ontario
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Timmons, Ontario
Moosejaw, Saskatchewan

Candidates who are interested in applying must ensure they satisfy both the federal programme standards and the requirements established by each municipality. This includes a legitimate job offer from a company based in a community that is a participant.

Eligibility criteria for interested communities

Communities looking to participate in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot must meet the following criteria:

ave a population of 50,000 people or less and be located at least 75 km from the core of a Census Metropolitan Area
be in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, or Yukon;
have job opportunities;
have an economic development plan;
have a local economic development organization that can manage the pilot for the community; and
be able to settle new immigrants in the community by having or developing
You want to be a permanent resident of Canada.

Communities must also have the support, shown through letters of support from the municipality (local leaders) and a local or regional immigrant-serving organization.