Thunder Bay Reveals Occupation List for New PR Pathway Under RCIP

Recently the city of Thunder Bay in Ontario has officially released a list of eligible occupations under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), locally referred to as the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP).

This announcement paves the way for foreign nationals to apply for Canada Permanent Residence (Canada PR) upon arrival, provided they meet key criteria, most importantly, a job offer from a designated employer in the city.

What is the RCIP?

The RCIP is part of Canada’s broader strategy to address labour shortages in smaller communities and promote regional economic growth. Under this pilot, participating municipalities like Thunder Bay can recommend foreign workers for permanent residency, but only if the applicants secure employment with authorized local employers.

Unlike the federal Express Entry system, the RCIP offers a more community-driven approach by focusing on the specific workforce needs of the participating region. Thunder Bay, through the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), is leading this local effort by identifying occupations in high demand.

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Thunder Bay’s In-Demand Occupations

The Thunder Bay CEDC has categorized its targeted occupations into five broad sectors. These sectors were identified based on local labour market shortages and community development goals:

• Business and Finance Administration
• Healthcare
• Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services
• Sales and Service
• Trades, Transport, Equipment Operators, and Related Occupations

Within these sectors, the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) job titles have been listed as eligible for PR under the RCIP:

Who Can Hire Through RCIP?

One of the key features of the RCIP is that only designated employers, authorized by the Thunder Bay CEDC in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), are allowed to offer jobs under this pathway.

These employers may use the program in two ways:

• To retain qualified foreign nationals already working in Thunder Bay
• To recruit skilled professionals from outside the region or abroad to fill critical labour shortages

As of now, no specific designated employers have been named, but Thunder Bay CEDC is expected to release this information as the program evolves through 2025.

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How to Qualify for PR Under the RCIP?

To be eligible for permanent residence through Thunder Bay’s Rural Community Immigration Program, a foreign national must:

• Have a valid job offer from a designated local employer
• Have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience in the last three years
• Prove language proficiency through an approved English or French language test
• Hold a Canadian educational credential or its foreign equivalent
• Show proof of sufficient settlement funds for themselves and their family members

It is crucial to note that applicants cannot apply directly to the CEDC. Instead, the designated employer who is hiring the candidate must submit an application for community recommendation on the candidate’s behalf.

Understanding Work Experience Requirements

Work experience must match the NOC TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) level of the job being offered. Here’s how the alignment works:

Special Considerations

There are exemptions and flexibility built into the RCIP for certain candidates:

• Healthcare workers may qualify under adjusted criteria.
• International students who graduated and studied in Thunder Bay may also be eligible, even if they have limited work experience.

Conclusion

Thunder Bay's involvement in the RCIP is a promising step for both immigrants and local businesses. While further details, including a list of designated employers, are awaited, the current list of eligible occupations provides valuable insight into the community’s workforce priorities. Foreign nationals aiming to settle in Ontario should keep an eye on further updates and begin preparing their credentials, language tests, and resumes accordingly.

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