What is RCIP Canada and who is it for
RCIP (Rural Community Immigration Pilot) is an immigration program for Canada’s rural communities, replacing the former RNIP program from 2025. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), candidates who have a job offer and receive a community endorsement will be eligible to apply for permanent residence (PR).
RCIP aims to bring skilled workers to rural areas facing labour shortages. Requirements are typically more flexible than Express Entry, in exchange for your commitment to live in the endorsing community.
Interested in settling in rural Canada? Get a free profile assessment so an M2W specialist can check your RCIP eligibility.
- PR through a job offer + community endorsement
- Replaces the former RNIP program (from 2025)
- Requirements are typically more flexible than Express Entry
How RCIP works
RCIP combines a job offer with an endorsement from the local community.
Community endorsement
Community endorsement
A participating rural community endorses your application based on local labour needs.
Job offer
Job offer
You have a job offer from an employer within a participating community.
Education & language
By occupation group
Meet the education, experience and language (CLB) requirements for the position’s occupation group.
The RCIP application process
RCIP is tied to the participating community and local employers.
Step 1 — Choose a community & find a job
Identify a participating community that suits your occupation and secure a job offer there.
Step 2 — Apply for the community endorsement
Submit your application for the community to endorse it based on local criteria and labour needs.
Step 3 — Submit the PR application
Submit the permanent residence application together with the job offer, endorsement and education/language documents.
Step 4 — Receive PR & settle
Once approved, the whole family receives PR and settles in the endorsing community.
Costs and important notes
RCIP costs include: language test fees, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), PR application fees, medical examination, police certificates and service fees. The list of participating communities (such as Sault Ste. Marie, St. Pierre Jolys and many others) is updated by IRCC over time. See the cost structure on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions about RCIP
How does RCIP differ from RNIP?
The RCIP is the successor to and an evolution of the RNIP (closed in 2024), continuing to support settlement in rural areas through a community endorsement mechanism.
Do I need a CRS score?
No. The RCIP does not use the CRS system. The core requirement is a job offer in a participating community and an endorsement from that community.
Which communities are participating in RCIP?
The list of communities (such as Sault Ste. Marie, St. Pierre Jolys, and many others) is updated by IRCC. M2W specialists monitor it and advise on the community that suits your occupation.
Am I required to stay in the community?
Yes. RCIP aims at long-term settlement in the endorsing community, so you commit to living and working there.
Does the whole family get PR?
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children are included in the application and receive PR together.
Want to settle in rural Canada?
RCIP opens a pathway to PR through a job offer and community endorsement, with requirements more flexible than Express Entry. M2W specialists advise on the right community and industry for you.
