The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a community-based program that helps economic immigration to smaller communities, providing a route to permanent residency for foreign skilled workers.
The program in the North Okanagan Shuswap area is financially supported by Community Futures North Okanagan and Community Futures Shuswap. It aims to attract and retain skilled new arrivals by building welcoming rural communities.
Employers and applicants must be in priority sectors and occupations, which are assessed and revised every year. The North Okanagan Shuswap area became part of the RCIP in February 2025 and will be part of the three-year pilot.
Our Community Boundary
The RCIP Community Boundary for the North Okanagan-Shuswap includes all of the Regional District of the North Okanagan and electoral areas C, D, E, F, and G of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, along with the City of Salmon Arm.
Eligible Communities include but are not limited to:
- Armstrong
- Ashton Creek
- Anglemont
- Blind Bay
- Bench
- Celista
- Cherryville
- Coldstream/Lavington
- Deep Creek
- Enderby
- Falkland
- Grindrod
- Lumby
- Salmon Arm
- Scotch Creek
- Sicamous
- Silver Creek
- Sorrento
- Spallumcheen
- Vernon
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants are required to meet the following eligibility requirements for the RCIP:
- You must have a work offer before you may apply for permanent residence under this pilot.
- Each town has chosen various employers to extend employment offers. To view the list of authorized employers, visit their website.
Choose a rural community (required)
- Pictou County, NS
- North Bay, ON
- Sudbury, ON
- Timmins, ON
- Sault Ste. Marie, ON
- Thundery, ON
- Steinbach, MB
- Altona/Rhineland, MB
- Brandon, MB
- Moose Jam, SK
- Claresholm, AB
- West Kootenay, BC4
- North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
- Peace Liard, BC
Employer Designation Process
The employer designation procedure applies to all employers seeking membership in the RCIP. Employers must provide documentation and detailed information and confirm that they meet program regulations. Applicants who don’t qualify or refuse to supply information will be denied access.
Step 1 – Complete the Training Modules
Employers are firstly required to complete the IRCC Employer Onboarding Training and the Building Welcoming Workplaces Training.
It is important for employers to understand that completing the IRCC training does not render eligibility; it simply means employers have completed one aspect of the designation process.
Step 2 – Contact RCIP
Next, employers need to contact the RCIP team by emailing Geetika Kohli at geetikak@futuresbc.com to ask for the Employer Designation Application (EDA) form.
Step 3 – Submit Your Application (EDA)
Beginning May 1, 2025, employers can send their filled-out EDA form to [geetikak@futuresbc.com]. The RCIP team will process the application within two weeks of receiving it.
Step 4 – Receive Your Designation Number
The approved employers will receive a specific Employer Designation Number.
Step 5 – Access the RCIP Employer Platform
With a designation number in hand, employers can build their profile on the RCIP Employer Platform. The link to build the profile is arriving soon.
Alberta’s Participation in the RCIP and New Developments in 2025
Alberta is working diligently to market the RCIP through employing initiatives like the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) to create more opportunities for foreign skilled workers to move to the province. In 2025, the RCIP is expanding as more communities and businesses join, projecting Canada’s dedication to addressing rural labour shortages and simplifying the immigration process.
Edmonton Immigration Consultation Services
For those interested in applying for the RCIP, professional consulting can be an immense assistance. Edmonton immigration consultation services like Imperial Immigration offer professional services and guidance throughout the process of application.
Conclusion
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a significant initiative that not only addresses rural and remote labour requirements but also provides qualified workers with an easy way to achieve permanent residence. Through the RCIP, participants can establish a prosperous future in Canada’s dynamic rural communities and assist them in expanding and flourishing.
