Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

PLEASE NOTE: We are currently processing applications from the waitlist that were received in full in

early May 2023 (as of November 7th, 2023). We thank you for your patience.

APPLICATION STAGES ANNOUNCEMENT – November 7th, 2023

Due to the limited number of recommendations for 2023/2024 and the high number of applications already received, Stage 2 will not be implemented. Applications will continue to be received and processed under the criteria of Stage 1.

PLEASE NOTE: Submitting an application in full does not guarantee that the application will be presented to the Committee due to volume nor does it guarantee approval once presented.

*Non-priority applications that have already been received in full and locked in to the waitlist as of May 14th 2023 will remain on the waitlist and continue to be processed in first come, first served order.

APPLICATION STAGES

Stage 1 – Accepting applications October 1st, 2023

As of October 1st 2023 the RNIP North Okanagan Shuswap program will accept applications from:

the expanded priority NOC codes listed on the -Priority Sectors- page

Applications that continue to be paused as of October 1st 2023 include:

all applications from non-priority NOC codes
all applications from NAICS 722512, 44711 & 44719 (Fast Food & Gas Stations)

Determine if your job offer is considered priority:

Stage 2 – ONLY IF NECESSARY

The Committee will determine if Stage 2 is necessary based on the amount of applications received during Stage 1. In this case, the RNIP North Okanagan Shuswap program will accept applications from:

the expanded priority NOC codes listed on the -Priority Sectors- page
all applications from non-priority NOC codes

Applications that continue to be paused in Stage 2 include:

all applications from NAICS 722512, 44711 & 44719 (Fast Food & Gas Stations)

PLEASE NOTE: Non-priority applicants who submit their applications in full during Stage 2 will be placed on the waitlist and presented to the Committee in first come, first served order. Priority applicants will continue to jump the queue and be presented at the earliest opportunity to the Committee.

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot guarantee Stage 2 will come into effect, as it is determined by the amount of applications received in Stage 1.

Thank you for your interest in the North Okanagan Shuswap Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) project.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program. It’s designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the pilot’s participating North Okanagan and Shuswap communities.

This region was recognized as an area that could benefit from this pilot. Community Futures has entered into a partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to offer this pilot in the North Okanagan and Shuswap areas.

The community will use this pilot to strengthen our local economy and support the development of our workforce. The 11 communities across the country participating in a pilot are each adapting the program to their needs and economic development goals.

For more information on the benefits of immigration, please go to Immigration Matters.

To learn more about this program, please click on the two buttons below:

‘Be proud of who you are’:

Event celebrates RNIP families

More than 130 people come together to share in RNIP success as pilot winds down in 2024…

RNIP Success Stories

Newcomer Housing

Are you a newcomer to our Community looking for housing? Click the link below to learn about the North Okanagan Shuswap Cultural Homestay Program:

NOTICE: On November 16 2022, the Government of Canada is switched to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

This means that:

the current NOC 2016 skill type and skill level structure (NOC 0, A, B, C and D) will be replaced with a 6-category system representing the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) needed to work in an occupation
4-digit occupation codes will become 5-digit codes
the eligibility criteria when using use NOC will be updated. To learn more, visit this IRCC page.

About the Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-led immigration program designed to bring skilled permanent residents to rural communities. The goal of the pilot is to spread the benefits of economic immigration to communities outside of large metropolitan centres. The North Okanagan/Shuswap region has partnered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to develop a program that works best for our community by prioritizing skilled immigrants who intend to make this region their home. For more information, please go to the IRCC’s website.