Good news for skilled workers looking to move to Canada. Thunder Bay, a beautiful city in Ontario, has launched a new way for foreign workers to get Permanent Residence (PR) through a special program called the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP).
What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?
The RCIP is designed to help smaller cities like Thunder Bay bring skilled workers from around the world. If you get a job offer from a special employer approved for this program, you may become eligible to apply for PR right after you arrive in Canada.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, you must have a valid job offer from a designated employer in Thunder Bay. You should have at least one year or 1,560 hours of work experience in the past three years. You need to prove your English or French language ability by taking an approved language test. You must show that you have completed Canadian education or have a foreign credential equivalent to Canadian standards. You also need to demonstrate you have enough money to support yourself and your family once you move.
It is important to know that you cannot apply directly to the program. Your employer must apply for a community recommendation on your behalf.
Sectors and Jobs Thunder Bay is Looking For
Thunder Bay is focusing on five major work areas. Here are the sectors and the specific jobs they are recruiting for:
| Sector | Job Title (NOC Code) |
|---|---|
| Business, Finance and Administration Occupations | Administrative assistants (13110) Financial advisors (11102) General office support workers (14100) |
| Health Occupations | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (31204) Licensed practical nurses (32101) Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102) Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103) Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301) |
| Occupations in Education, Law, Social, Community and Government Services | Early childhood educators and assistants (42202) Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (44101) Social and community service workers (42201) Social workers (41300) Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301) |
| Sales and Service | Cooks (63200) Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (65201) Food service supervisors (62020) Light duty cleaners (65310) Retail and wholesale trade managers (60020) Retail sales supervisors (62010) Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers (64100) Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers (65102) |
| Trades, Transport, Equipment Operators and other related occupations | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (72410) Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400) Construction trades helpers and labourers (75110) Heavy equipment operators (73400) |
How to Get a Job Offer?
You must receive a job offer from a designated employer who has been approved by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) in partnership with the Canadian government. Only these designated employers are allowed to make RCIP-eligible job offers. These employers can either retain foreign workers who are already living in the community or recruit skilled workers from abroad or from within Canada to fill job shortages. As of now, Thunder Bay has not yet published the list of designated employers, but it is expected to be announced sometime in 2025.
How Your Work Experience Should Match
Your work experience must be related to the type of job you are offered. It must match the standards outlined in Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. Here is how your work experience should align:
| Job Offer TEER Level | Related Work Experience Requirements |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | Must have work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 |
| TEER 2 | Must have work experience in TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 3 or 4 | Must have work experience in TEER 2, 3, or 4 |
| TEER 5 | Must have work experience in the same 5-digit NOC code |
Step-by-Step Process
First, you need to get a valid job offer from a designated employer. Next, the employer will submit an application on your behalf to the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission for a community recommendation. Once you receive the recommendation, you can then apply directly to the federal government for permanent residence.
FAQs About Thunder Bay’s New PR Pathway
Q1: Can I apply directly for PR under the RCIP?
No, you cannot apply directly. Only your employer can apply for a community recommendation for you.
Q2: How much work experience do I need?
You need at least one year of full-time work experience, which is about 1,560 hours, within the last three years.
Q3: Do I need to prove my language skills?
Yes, you must take an approved English or French language test and meet the minimum language requirements.
Q4: Can I apply if I already live in Canada?
Yes, you can apply if you already have a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in Thunder Bay.
Q5: When will the designated employers be announced?
The list of designated employers is expected to be released in 2025.
Q6: What is life like in Thunder Bay?
Thunder Bay is a welcoming city known for its natural beauty, friendly people, lower cost of living, and excellent outdoor activities.
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