We’ve learned that students have recently been approaching employes with questions and comments about the Rural Communities Immigration Pilot (RCIP) program. This increased interest is likely connected to recent changes affecting both the application process and how submissions are evaluated.

To support you in responding to these inquiries, we’re sharing a brief overview of the program along with key updates.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

The West Kootenay region was part of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program that ran from 2020–2024. This federal program facilitated immigration to rural areas. Hundreds of Selkirk College grads were able to access permanent resident (PR) status after completing their program and applying through the RNIP. A permanent, full-time job offer was a requirement of this program, as well as demonstrating a strong intent to reside in the West Kootenay.

Given that many international students view PR access as an important long-term goal, the RNIP played a major role in attracting students to our region.

A New Pilot with a New Approach

The second round of this pilot, the RCIP program, launched in 2025 with a fresh application round for communities across Canada. Fourteen communities were chosen, including the West Kootenay.

Community Futures Central Kootenay in Nelson is leading this project, and in consultation with local employers and other stakeholders, has determined a list of jobs that are critical to the West Kootenay economy. These jobs include accountants, health care professionals, early childhood educators, social workers, hospitality and culinary professionals, trades workers, and others. Employers within these industries can apply to become “designated” employers within the program.

In 2026, the West Kootenay RCIP transitioned to a points-based system. In addition, rather than having one application intake and then processing them as a batch, as was the case in 2025, they have moved to 4–5 application intakes per year. 

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve gathered a list of frequently asked questions to answer. If you have more questions, visit the RCIP website.

Q: How many local employers are “designated” and participating in the program?

A: There are 245 designated employers. Some only use the RCIP program once, and others use it multiple times to retain key employees.

Q: How many applicants can be “recommended” for permanent resident status each year?

A: The West Kootenay region was allocated 200 recommendations per calendar year.

Q: How does the point system work?

A:  Applicants are scored based on criteria provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in areas such as work experience, time spent in the community, type of job, language proficiency, education, and community connections.

Q: Why did the application window close so suddenly in the last round?

A: The goal was to allow the first 25 applicants who applied to be processed, so that the 200 recommendation allocations could be spaced out over the year. However, the committee is aware that eligible candidates were not able to apply within the very short timeframe. The committee will allow a longer application window for the next round.