Live and Work in Canada’s Smaller Communities


Apply Through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) with Cougar Immigration

Dreaming of building a life in a welcoming, smaller Canadian community? The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) offers a pathway to Permanent Residency for skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in rural or northern regions across Canada.

At Cougar Immigration, we help you connect with approved employers, meet local eligibility criteria, and complete your PR application under this unique community-driven program.

 

What is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)?

The RNIP is a federal immigration program that empowers smaller Canadian communities to attract and retain skilled workers based on local labor needs. The program is designed to support economic development and population growth in non-urban areas.

It is a community-recommended program, meaning you must:

  • Have a valid job offer from an employer in a participating community
  • Be recommended by the community before applying for PR through IRCC

This pilot helps ensure newcomers settle where their skills are needed most—and stay long-term.

 

Participating RNIP Communities

Current RNIP communities include (but are not limited to):

  • Brandon, Manitoba
  • Sudbury, Ontario
  • Thunder Bay, Ontario
  • Vernon, British Columbia
  • Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
  • North Bay, Ontario
  • Timmins, Ontario
  • West Kootenay, BC

Each community has its own set of eligibility requirements and priority occupations.

 

Who Can Apply Under RNIP?

To be eligible, you must:

  • Have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in a participating community
  • Meet work experience requirements: 1 year of skilled work (unless exempt as a graduate)
  • Meet language requirements: CLB 4 to 6 (depending on NOC)
  • Have sufficient education and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if educated outside Canada
  • Intend to live in the community long-term
  • Be admissible to Canada

Graduates from eligible programs in RNIP communities may qualify without work experience.

 

How Cougar Immigration Supports You

The RNIP process includes multiple steps, including job matching, community recommendation, and PR application. We guide you through it all:

  • Eligibility Assessment: We determine which community best suits your profile and skills
  • Job Offer Support: We help connect you with approved local employers
  • Community Application: We manage your recommendation request with the community
  • IRCC PR Application: Once recommended, we submit your federal PR application
  • Family Inclusion & Settlement Support: We handle accompanying spouse/children permits and help you plan your move

 


Pricing

Additional fees may apply for job matching or complex family applications.

 

Why Choose Cougar Immigration?

With strong knowledge of RNIP requirements and relationships in key communities, Cougar Immigration makes the rural PR process efficient and stress-free. We understand the local criteria—and how to meet them.