In order to draw skilled workers to rural areas and Francophone minority communities, Canada has started two new immigration programs. These programs will especially benefit Indians, especially those who speak French.
The programs, known as the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), offer workers in 18 communities who play important roles a route to permanent residency.
Canada’s New PR Routes For Skilled Workers
The government is launching these pilots in an attempt to turn the current Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot into a long-term initiative.
By matching local companies with qualified workers, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) aims to assist rural communities experiencing a labor shortage, particularly in regions where employee retention is a challenge.
The goal of the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) is to preserve the linguistic and cultural identity of Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec while increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants in these communities.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will work with local economic development organizations in the 18 communities that were chosen to identify critical labor shortages, identify reliable employers, and recommend qualified individuals for permanent residence.
RCIP Communities:
- 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
FCIP Communities:
- New Brunswick: Acadian Peninsula
- Ontario: Sudbury, Timmins, Superior East region
- Manitoba: St. Pierre Jolys
- British Columbia: Kelowna
How To Qualify For Permanent Residency
To qualify for permanent residence under these pilots, candidates must:
- Have a valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community
- Meet work experience requirements (at least one year or 1,560 hours in the past three years)
- Meet language requirements (CLB 6 for higher-skilled jobs, CLB 4 for lower-skilled jobs)
- Provide an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) if educated outside Canada
- Show proof of settlement funds to support themselves and their families
Job offers for related positions such as nurse assistants, orderlies, patient service associates (NOC 33102), home support workers, and caregivers (NOC 44101) may be extended to healthcare workers (NOC 31301).
Under these pilots, applicants for permanent residence may be eligible for a two-year, employer-specific temporary work permit. Additionally, a $230 employer compliance fee is required for this work permit.
Employers and skilled workers are encouraged to stay informed by their communities and the IRCC as applications for both RCIP and FCIP will soon open.
