Employers

The  North Okanagan Shuswap Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a federal immigration pilot designed to attract, hire, and keep immigrants in smaller communities. Becoming a resident through this program is much faster compared to other immigration streams and potential employees can receive a work permit  while waiting for the permanent residency application to be approved.

The RNIP Coordinator will guide you through the entire hiring process from the beginning of your search for the right candidate up to approval of the permanent residency.

There is no cost to the businesses to use this pilot program to advertise the positions on the RNIP North Okanagan Shuswap job bank platform;  however, there is a cost of $230 in government fees.

Employers can also use this program to extend the legal status of an existing employee or bring in a new worker on a LMIA-exempt RNIP-specific work permit.

Approved employers with permanent full time job vacancies within the program boundary can use this program to hire foreign nationals. The boundaries of the program includes the communities of:

• City of Vernon
• City of Salmon Arm
• City of Armstrong
• City of Enderby
• District of Lake Country
• District of Coldstream
• District of Sicamous
• City of Armstrong
• Township of Spallumcheen
• Village of Chase
• Village of Lumby
• Okanagan Indian Band
• Splatsin First Nation
• Adams Lake Indian Band
• Neskonlith Indian Band
• Skwlax Little Shuswap Lake Band
• and several unincorporated areas within the North Okanagan, Columbia Shuswap, Central Okanagan and Thompson Nicola Regional Districts.

It is important to note that this excludes the census subdivision of Kelowna (City), as defined by Statistics Canada and Sun Peaks resort area.

Employers who want to learn more about RNIP before deciding if it’s the right program for their recruitment needs are encouraged to inquire about mandatory training or an information session.

Employers are advised to be aware of and read more about Fraud and Mis-Representation. 

Employers are advised to review the requirement for the applicants and the community criteria. 

For Community specific questions, please email the RNIP Coordinator at  rnipcoordinator@futuresbc.com  For other questions regarding the pilot, please go  to IRCC’s website.