Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) completed its first full year of operation in 2025, helping more than 1,000 newcomers gain permanent residence (PR) and settle in 14 rural and fast-developing communities across Canada.
RCIP is designed to support smaller communities outside Quebec by bringing in workers to fill local labour shortages, while encouraging long-term settlement beyond major cities.
In this year-in-review, we’ll cover what happened in 2025, which sectors were prioritized, participating communities, and key data shared by RCIP regions.
✅ What Is RCIP and How Does It Work?
RCIP is a community-driven PR pathway where participating communities:
- Identify labour shortages
- Select priority sectors and occupations
- Designate trusted employers
- Recommend eligible workers for PR
📌 RCIP Process (Simple Explanation)
To apply under RCIP:
- You must get a valid job offer from a designated employer in an RCIP community
- Employer submits a recommendation to the community
- If recommended, the applicant submits a PR application directly to IRCC
🗓️ Key RCIP Timeline in 2025
RCIP saw multiple major updates during 2025:
- Jan 30, 2025: RCIP officially launched and 14 communities were announced
- June 5, 2025: IRCC published the main RCIP program page + optional work permit guidance
- Aug 13, 2025: IRCC clarified core eligibility rules on “Who can apply” page
- Nov 20, 2025: Annual Report to Parliament confirmed RCIP as a replacement pathway for RNIP (Rural and Northern Immigration Program)
📍 RCIP Communities Participating in 2025
So far, RCIP includes 14 communities across 6 provinces, including:
Nova Scotia
- Pictou County
Ontario
- North Bay
- Sudbury
- Timmins
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Thunder Bay
Manitoba
- Steinbach
- Altona/Rhineland
- Brandon
Saskatchewan
- Moose Jaw
Alberta
- Claresholm
British Columbia
- West Kootenay
- North Okanagan Shuswap
- Peace Liard
🎯 Which Sectors Did RCIP Prioritize in 2025?
RCIP communities selected candidates based on priority sectors. Across all communities, RCIP focused mainly on:
- Health / Healthcare
- Education, law, social, community, and government services
- Sales & service
- Trades & transport
- Manufacturing & utilities
Other sectors also included:
- Business, finance & administration
- Natural resources & agriculture
- Natural & applied sciences (least common)
📊 How Many People Immigrated Through RCIP in 2025?
Not all communities released full statistics, but some reported strong selection numbers:
- Greater Sudbury, Ontario: 517 candidates recommended
- Thunder Bay, Ontario: 475 recommendation certificates issued
- North Bay, Ontario: 190 community recommendations granted
This indicates that RCIP had a strong start in its first year, with over 1,000 candidates supported through these communities alone.
🧾 RCIP Eligibility Requirements (2026 Reminder)
To apply for PR through RCIP, applicants must generally meet:
✅ Job offer from a designated employer
✅ At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the last 3 years
✅ Language test score (minimum depends on job TEER)
✅ Canadian credential or foreign equivalent
✅ Settlement funds (based on family size)
💰 Settlement Funds Example
- $10,507 for 1 applicant
- Up to $27,806 for family of 7 (+$2,831 per additional member)
🛂 Work Permit Option Under RCIP
Applicants (and spouses) may also qualify for a two-year employer-specific work permit while their PR application is being processed—allowing them to start working in the selected community sooner.
✅ Final Thoughts
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot had an impressive first year in 2025. With more than 1,000 newcomers supported and clear community participation across Ontario, BC, Manitoba and other regions, RCIP is becoming a strong pathway for skilled workers who are willing to settle in smaller communities.
As Canada continues to promote regional immigration, RCIP is expected to remain an important PR option in 2026 and beyond.
