Rural Community Immigration Program guidance.
The Rural Community Immigration Program offers a permanent residence pathway built around participating rural communities and designated employers. Dolphin Immigration offers remote consultations to applicants and employers across Canada.
How the Rural Community Immigration Program works
IRCC made the Rural Community Immigration Program permanent in November 2026, continuing the employer- and community-led approach. Applicants need a valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community and a recommendation certificate from that community before applying for permanent residence.
Other requirements include qualifying related work experience, language ability, education and settlement funds. The exact criteria depend on the job offer and the current IRCC instructions.
Communities IRCC currently lists
IRCC currently lists these participating communities for the Rural Community Immigration Program:
- Pictou County, Nova Scotia
- North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Steinbach, Altona/Rhineland and Brandon, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm, Alberta
- West Kootenay, North Okanagan Shuswap and Peace Liard, British Columbia
Each community sets its own priority sectors and occupations, designates employers and manages its recommendation process. Community participation and local job opportunities should be checked directly before relying on a pathway.
Remote consultations for applicants and employers
We offer remote consultations for individuals considering a job offer or community-based permanent residence pathway, and for employers reviewing immigration options for a position. Dolphin Immigration is based in Calgary; remote service does not mean the firm has an office in each participating community.
Official IRCC resources
Program criteria, community priorities and designated employers can change. Always confirm current details with IRCC and the participating community.
What to know before you begin.
Do I need a job offer for RCIP?
Yes. IRCC says applicants need a valid job offer from a designated employer in a participating community and a recommendation certificate from that community.
Does Dolphin Immigration have an office in Claresholm or another RCIP community?
No. The practice is based in Calgary and offers remote consultations to applicants and employers across Canada.
Is there an RCIP points calculator?
This pathway is not presented here as a points-based ranking system. Applicants must meet the published requirements and secure a qualifying job offer and community recommendation.
Discuss a rural community pathway
Book a remote consultation to discuss the current IRCC requirements and the community process.