Canada officially introduced a brand new immigration pathway known as the Rural Community Immigration Class on the 14th December 2024. This pathway is specially for international candidates who can economically establish themselves in a designated community within a Canadian province other than Quebec. The RCIC pathway for Canada PR will be valid for the next five years.
Along with the Rural Community Immigration Class, Canada has also announced the Francophone Community Immigration Class.
Eligibility Criteria for the Rural Community Immigration Class
You must get a valid certificate of recommendation from an economic development organization while applying for the Rural Community Immigration Class. This certificate of recommendation is valid for 6 months since the date of issue.
| Eligibility Factors | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certificate of recommendation from EDO | If you meet all the requirements listed in the table below, the Canadian Economic Development Organization will issue you a recommendation certificate. This is a must to be eligible for the Rural Community Immigration Class |
| Work Experience | To be eligible for the RCIC stream, you will need a minimum 1-year work experience, gained in the last three years. The work experience must be continuous. It can be both full-time or an equivalent part-time work experience. It must be within the same TEER category or relevant as mentioned in the job offer. Note: If you are an international graduate with a degree, diploma, or certificate from a valid educational institution in the designated community, you may not need prior work experience. |
| Job Offer | You should get a valid job offer from a designated employer. The offer should not be for seasonal work. It must be for an indeterminate period. The job must be within the provincial designated community. You must have the necessary education and training and should be able to perform all duties set in the NOC code of the job offer. The employment offer must pay above or within the acceptable wage according to the Canada Job Bank. Or, it must pay according to the wage range established by the economic development organization. A designated employer who can give you a valid job offer must: Have an active business for the last two years. This business must be within the designated community. Their business must be related to at least one priority occupation. They should have completed the mandatory intercultural competency and onboarding training, and Must commit to the settlement of you and your family. |
| Language Proficiency | You must score a minimum CLB/NCLC 6 in case of TEER category 0 or 1 CLB/NCLC 5 if the job offer is in TEER level 2 or 3, and CLB/NCLC 4 in case of TEER category 4 or 5 |
| Education | You must have completed your secondary education to be eligible for the Rural Community Immigration Class. |
| Plan to settle | You must have plans to permanently settle in the designated provincial community. |
| Proof of funds | You must have half of the low-income cut-off published by Statistics Canada. This is the least amount of money required annually to support a family in rural areas. |
How can you get a Certificate of Recommendation?
Every year on 31st March, the economic development organization lists priority occupations that will economically benefit and develop a designated community the most. Therefore, they will prioritize candidates who can best meet the labor market needs of the community and strengthen its economy.
The organization will consider several factors before giving you the recommendation certificate.
- Has a prior valid work experience in the TEER category mentioned in the job offer
- Has gotten a valid job offer, and
- Possess the appropriate education, language proficiency, and connection to the designated rural community.
The Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) can be an excellent immigration opportunity for you if you want to enjoy a peaceful life in rural Canada. The IRCC is set to announce more details about this pathway in the upcoming days.
With Talent Connected Worldwide, be the first to get Canada PR through the Rural Community Immigration Class.
Source: Canada Gazzette
