How to Apply
Candidates must ensure that all of the federal eligibility criteria are met to participate in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). They must also have a qualifying job offer. Carefully review the information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to determine your eligibility.
*2023 Update*
Less than three months into the year, Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has received enough applications to grant more than half of its 2023 allotment of 400 recommendations.
As many as 132 candidates will have been recommended for permanent residence before the end of March, with almost 100 more currently under review. The candidate application form will reopen April 12th and close the night of May 8th, possibly the last day candidates can apply to receive a recommendation in 2023. Learn more here.
February 15, 2022: 24 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 42%
March 15, 2022: 19 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 46%
April 19, 2022: 22 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 46%
May 17, 2022: 15 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 49%
June 15, 2022: 15 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 49%
July 19, 2022: 40 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 46%
August 16, 2022: 40 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 48%
September 20, 2022: 40 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 47%
October 18, 2022: 66 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 46%
January 10, 2023: 96 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 42%
February 2, 2023: 134 candidates were recommended whose evaluations scored as low as 42%
Step 1: Meet federal eligibility requirements
Candidates can determine their eligibility for the RNIP by reviewing the criteria set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 2: Obtain a qualifying job offer with an approved employer
Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer in a community located within Thunder Bay and Area. The job offer must fall under one of Thunder Bay CEDC’s three categories (described under the Community Factors Evaluation) and meet federal eligibility criteria.
Thunder Bay CEDC does not provide job-matching services or assist employers in hiring. View a list of positions pre-approved for the RNIP or search for jobs using a regional job bank. Employers not yet approved to participate in the RNIP can apply at any time.
Step 3: Gather documentation and submit application
Candidates must prove their eligibility by submitting valid documentation and required forms. The application form and instructional guide is linked below.
Step 4: Review and Community Factors Evaluation by Thunder Bay CEDC
In addition to the federal eligibility criteria, applicants will be evaluated on additional factors that indicate their intent to live and work in the community over the long term after they have received permanent resident status.
Candidates are selected using a pool-and-draw system in which the top scorers with all necessary documentation are prioritized. Candidate applications are reviewed on the following dates (“draw dates”):
January 10, 2023
February 14, 2023
May 9, 2023
The highest-scoring candidate applications in the pool as of each draw date are validated by Thunder Bay CEDC and prepared for the Selection Committee’s review. Only candidates who are being considered for a community recommendation will be notified.
Candidates not selected for review remain in the pool for up to three months and may be selected at a later date if their ranking improves. Applications will not be considered if they are incomplete and/or do not meet federal eligibility criteria.
If you wish to estimate your score without submitting an application, use our estimated points calculator. Note that this is not a candidate application and points estimates are not reviewed by Thunder Bay CEDC. Candidates are encouraged to download Thunder Bay CEDC’s RNIP application instructional guide (linked below) and/or a preview of the application form prior to submitting an application.
View a list of positions pre-approved for the RNIP or search for jobs using a regional job bank. Employers not yet approved to participate in the RNIP can apply at any time. Thunder Bay CEDC does not provide job-matching services or assist employers in hiring.
Job postings are not required to be published on our website to be eligible for the RNIP and employers not yet approved to participate in the RNIP can be assessed at any time.
Ready to Apply?
Community Factors Evaluation
Thunder Bay CEDC will prioritize candidates for recommendation who are most likely to settle and reside in the community and contribute to the local economy.
Candidates are selected using a pool-and-draw system in which the top scorers with all necessary documentation are prioritized. Download Thunder Bay CEDC’s RNIP application instructional guide and/or a preview of the application form. If you wish to estimate your score without submitting an application, use our estimated points calculator. Note that this is not a candidate application and points estimates are not reviewed by Thunder Bay CEDC.
Community Recommendation Factor | Maximum Points Achievable |
Offer of Employment | 20 |
Language Proficiency | 20 |
Work Experience | 8 |
Skills Alignment | 20 |
Experience Living in a Small or Rural Community | 16 |
Family Connections | 8 |
Non-Family Connections | 4 |
Spouse – Language | 2 |
Spouse – Skills Alignment | 2 |
Maximum 20 points
Qualifying job offers may fall under three categories:
Type 1: Priority Occupation (20 points)
- The job offer is full-time and permanent
- The job offer is for a position that has been deemed a priority occupation
Type 2: French Essential Position (20 points)
- The job offer is full-time and permanent
- The occupation is in any skill level and any NOC code
- The job requires the use of the French language to perform the main duties
Type 3: Any other occupation (0 points)
- The job offer is full-time and permanent
- The occupation has not been deemed priority
- The candidate has lived in the community for at least two (2) years and is currently employed with the employer
Required documentation:
Maximum 20 points
Candidate exceeds required CLB/NCLC in all 4 abilities (15 points)
Candidate exceeds required CLB/NCLC in at least 2 of the 4 abilities (8 points)
Candidate does not exceed required CLB/NCLC in any of the 4 abilities (0 points)
Candidate is bilingual (Proficiency in both English and French) (5 points)
Required documentation:
- Designated language test (the results must be dated no more than two (2) years prior to the date of your permanent residence application)
- Bilingual candidates will require any one of the following in addition to a designated language test:
- Proof of graduation from an academic program of at least two (2) years or longer where the program’s primary language of instruction was English or French
- An official language (score of CLB/NCLC 4 or higher on all language factors)
- Participation in a brief interview conducted in English and French
Review IRCC’s website to learn how to find your language level based on your test results.
Where Thunder Bay CEDC is not satisfied that the applicant is proficient in both official languages, an additional interview or language results demonstrating a CLB/NCLC 4 or higher may be requested in order to assess for these points.
Maximum 8 points
Candidate has 5+ years of related work experience (8 points)
Candidate has 4-5 years of related work experience (6 points)
Candidate has 3-4 years of related work experience (4 points)
Candidate has 2-3 years of related work experience (3 points)
Candidate has 1-2 years of related work experience (1 points)
Candidate has less than 1 year of related work experience (0 points)
Required documentation:
- Letters from previous employers, or a combination of records of employment, contracts and job descriptions, and/or pay stubs that prove the position held and number of hours worked as well as the tasks or main duties performed
Maximum 20 points
Candidate has qualifying education credential or work experience that aligns with the needs of the job (20 points)
Candidate’s education or work experience does not align with the needs of the job (0 points)
A qualifying educational credential must
- Be equivalent to minimum one year Canadian college certificate
- Satisfy the employment requirements as described in the Government of Canada National Occupation Classification Profile for any of the priority occupations
Qualifying work experience
- Must be at least two years (3,120 hours) of cumulative paid full-time (or the equivalent in part-time) within the past 5 years in a position where the candidate performed some or all of the main duties of the position that is the current job offer
- Can be with multiple employers in different occupations, however, work experience acquired through self-employment is not acceptable
Required documentation:
- Copy of Canadian certificate/diploma/degree or educational credential assessment (ECA);
or
- Letters from previous employers, or a combination of records of employment, contracts and job descriptions, and/or pay stubs that prove the position held and number of hours worked as well as the tasks or main duties performed
Thunder Bay CEDC reserves the right to determine these points based on the employment requirements of the candidate’s job offer compared to their work experience and/or education as well as other factors. Candidates whose education or work experience is over and above what is reasonably required of the job will not receive points for skills alignment.
Maximum 16 points
Candidate has resided in the community for 5+ years (16 points)
Candidate has resided in the community for 4-5 years (13 points)
Candidate has resided in the community for 3-4 years (10 points)
Candidate has resided in the community for 2-3 years (7 points)
Candidate has resided in the community for 1-2 years (5 points)
Candidate has resided in the community for 6 months to 1 year (3 points)
Candidate has resided in a community with a population of less than 250,000 people and more than 100 kilometres from a large and densely populated urban area for a minimum of 6 months (3 points)
Candidate has not resided in a small or rural community for a minimum of 6 months (0 points)
Required documentation:
- Two (2) pieces of official mail which are dated to show the appropriate span of time
Both documents must show name of candidate, date, and residential address. Other personal details and/or financial information should be blacked out or covered.
Maximum 8 points
Candidate has 4 eligible family members (8 points)
Candidate has 3 eligible family members (5 points)
Candidate has 2 eligible family members (3 points)
Candidate has 1 eligible family member (2 points)
Candidate has no eligible family members (0 points)
Eligible family members of the candidate and/or spouse must be permanent residents or citizens and have been living in the community for a minimum of two (2) years. Family members must be at least 18 years of age and include siblings, parents, grandparents, children, cousins, aunts or uncles.
Required documentation:
- Letters written and signed by family members that describe how they intend to assist the candidate with their settlement in the community
- Letters must include the family member’s name, status (permanent resident or citizen), relationship to candidate, contact information (phone number, email address, and home address), length of time residing in the community, and signature
One (1) letter is required per supporting family member.
Maximum 4 points
Candidate has 4 eligible connections (4 points)
Candidate has 3 eligible connections (3 points)
Candidate has 2 eligible connections (2 points)
Candidate has 1 eligible connection (1 points)
Candidate has no eligible connections (0 points)
Eligible non-family connections (friends or colleagues) of the candidate and/or spouse must be permanent residents or citizens of Canada and have been living in the community for a minimum of two (2) years. Connections must be at least 18 years of age.
Required documentation:
- Letters written and signed by friends or colleagues that describe how they intend to assist the candidate with their settlement in the community
- Letters must include the person’s name, status (Permanent Resident or Citizen), relationship to candidate, contact information (phone number, email address, and home address), length of time residing in the community, and signature
One (1) letter is required per supporting connection.
Maximum 2 points
Candidate’s spouse is proficient in either English or French (2 points)
Candidate’s spouse is not proficient in English or French (0 points)
The spouse’s language skills must be adequate for entering the workforce in Canada.
Required documentation:
- Copies of official language results, or
- Proof that the spouse’s education was instructed in one of Canada’s official languages, or
- Participation in a brief interview conducted in English or French
Maximum 2 points
Candidate’s spouse has qualifying work experience, education, or training (2 points)
Candidate’s spouse does not have qualifying work experience, education, or training (0 points)
The spouse’s work experience, education, or training must align with at least one of the priority occupations.
Required documentation:
- Educational credential(s), an Education Credentials Assessment (ECA), or
- Letters from previous employers, or a combination of records of employment, contracts and job descriptions, and/or pay stubs that prove the position held and number of hours worked as well as the tasks or main duties performed
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is not necessary to prove the spouse’s education. Copies of diplomas, degrees, or certificates are acceptable, however, all documents submitted must be translated to English or French.
Thunder Bay CEDC reserves the right to determine these points based on how well the spouse’s credentials or work experience align with a priority occupation.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be eligible for the RNIP, candidates must have a qualifying job offer and meet federal eligibility criteria. Visit the Government of Canada’s website to review eligibility criteria.
For candidates who meet all federal eligibility criteria, the first step is obtaining a qualifying job offer. View Thunder Bay CEDC’s step-by-step process (above) to learn how the program works.
All of the eligibility requirements for the RNIP can be found online. To determine if you meet the federal eligibility for the program, please visit the Government of Canada’s website and view Thunder Bay CEDC’s step-by-step process (above) to learn how the program works. We kindly ask that you do not call the Thunder Bay CEDC offices with inquiries regarding your eligibility.
Thunder Bay CEDC is processing a large number of applications. Candidates may not receive acknowledgement of their application for a community recommendation until 10 business days from the draw date.
We sincerely apologize for the lack of response. Thousands of inquiries have been received from all over the world and we are forced to prioritize based on eligibility. Eligible candidates may submit an application for a community recommendation. Inquiries from individuals who do not have qualifying job offers and do not meet federal eligibility will not be prioritized. If you have submitted an application, cite your application confirmation number when inquiring to Thunder Bay CEDC.
No. Only candidates who have the documentation needed to prove that they meet all eligibility criteria may apply for a community recommendation. Candidates without all necessary valid documentation will not be considered for a community recommendation.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about your status in Canada, please seek professional immigration advice. We are unable to advise on immigration matters outside of the RNIP.
Unfortunately, we do not provide job matching services. Candidates must apply for jobs directly with employers. View priority occupations and job postings pre-approved for the RNIP, or use a regional job bank to search for jobs.
We do not provide a list of approved employers. If you have a job offer with an employer who has not yet been approved, refer them to the Employer Application. View priority occupations and job postings pre-approved for the RNIP, or use a regional job bank to search for jobs.
It takes six to eight weeks to receive a community recommendation from the time of application. A work permit can take up to three months. For most candidates, the process of receiving permanent resident status takes as long as one year or longer.
The application fee for permanent residence under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is CAD $1365. This fee consists of both a processing fee ($850) and a right of permanent residence fee ($515). Additional fees apply to those with a spouse and dependents. You can find the full fee schedule on the Government of Canada’s website.
There are no additional application fees associated applying for a community recommendation under the RNIP Thunder Bay and Area.
Applicants must submit proof (to IRCC) that they have valid immigration status in Canada unless they are applying under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) stream of the RNIP.
Preferential treatment is not provided to applicants who have hired an immigration representative. However, if you choose to have your paperwork completed by an immigration representative, please refer to the IRCC website for information on making an informed choice.
