Two additional Canadian communities—Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario and Brandon in Manitoba—have released their priority sectors under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), further expanding this federal pathway to permanent residence for foreign workers with job offers in rural regions.
This marks a significant step in implementing the RCIP program, which aims to attract skilled talent to smaller communities facing persistent labor shortages.
What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?
The RCIP is a five-year federal pilot program launched in 2025 to help address workforce gaps in rural areas across Canada (excluding Quebec). It offers permanent residence (PR) to foreign nationals who secure job offers from designated employers in participating communities.
To qualify, applicants must meet requirements related to:
- Relevant work experience
- Educational background
- Language proficiency
- Settlement funds
- A genuine intent to live and work in the community
Applicants already residing in Canada must have valid temporary resident status throughout the application process. The program is employer-driven, meaning only employers designated by an approved community organization can offer qualifying jobs.
Sault Ste. Marie: Priority Sectors for 2025
Located in Northern Ontario near the Michigan border, Sault Ste. Marie has listed the following priority sectors under the RCIP:
- Education, law, social, community, and government services
- Health
- Manufacturing and utilities
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
The city has been allocated 300 permanent residence spots for 2025. A full list of eligible occupations is expected to be released soon.
Brandon: Priority Sectors, Occupations, and Language Requirements
As the second-largest city in Manitoba, Brandon has taken a detailed approach by not only announcing its priority sectors but also including eligible occupations, National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes, and minimum language requirements (CLB levels).
Brandon’s RCIP Allocation for 2025: 180 slots
- 15% of the total slots will be reserved for healthcare occupations
- The remainder will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis across other sectors
Brandon’s 2025 Priority Sectors and Occupations:
| Sector | Occupation | NOC Code | Minimum CLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Social Services | Early Childhood Educators and Assistants | 42202 | 5 |
| Health | Dentists | 31110 | 6 |
| Family Physicians | 31102 | 6 | |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | 32101 | 5 | |
| Nurse Aides and Patient Service Associates | 33102 | 5 | |
| Registered Nurses and Psychiatric Nurses | 31301 | 6 | |
| Clinical Medicine Specialists | 31100 | 6 | |
| Surgery Specialists | 31101 | 6 | |
| Manufacturing & Utilities | Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters | 94141 | 4 |
| Natural & Applied Sciences | Civil Engineering Techs | 22300 | 5 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 | 6 | |
| Manufacturing Engineers | 21321 | 6 | |
| Mechanical Engineering Techs | 22301 | 5 | |
| Mechanical Engineers | 21301 | 6 | |
| User Support Technicians | 22221 | 5 | |
| Trades & Transport | Automotive Technicians and Mechanics | 72410 | 5 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 5 | |
| Concrete Finishers | 73100 | 5 | |
| Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics | 72400 | 5 | |
| Construction Helpers and Labourers | 75110 | 4 | |
| HVAC Mechanics | 72402 | 5 | |
| Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics | 72401 | 5 | |
| Painters and Decorators | 73112 | 5 | |
| Plumbers | 72300 | 5 | |
| Welders and Machine Operators | 72106 | 5 |
Why Priority Sectors Matter Under RCIP
For RCIP applicants, the priority sectors are essential because:
- Only designated employers within these sectors are authorized to make eligible job offers.
- Candidates must have work experience in listed occupations to qualify under RCIP.
- Without a job offer in a designated sector, foreign workers will not be eligible to apply for PR through this pilot.
As of now, designated employers for Sault Ste. Marie and Brandon have not been announced. Skynet Immigration will provide updates as soon as new information becomes available.
What’s Next?
Timmins became the first RCIP community to reveal its list of eligible occupations and sectors. With 14 communities participating in total, more announcements are expected soon as the RCIP rollout continues.
How Skynet Immigration Can Help
Navigating the RCIP involves understanding both federal eligibility criteria and community-specific priorities. At Skynet Immigration, led by Salekur Rahman (RCIC# R514379), we provide:
- Free eligibility assessments
- Job offer support with designated RCIP employers
- Application guidance for PR under RCIP and PNPs
- 24/7 expert advice for temporary and permanent pathways
If you’re a skilled worker with a background in one of the listed occupations, now is the time to secure a job offer and apply early, before annual caps are reached.
Contact Skynet Immigration today to start your RCIP journey toward Canadian permanent residence.
