Ontario’s North Bay begins accepting RNIP applications
North Bay in Ontario is the latest community participating in Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot [RNIP] to launch the program. Of the 11 communities taking part in the RNIP, 10 are accepting applications.
The RNIP creates a pathway to Canada PR for skilled foreign workers that have the intention of working and living in any of the 11 communities that are a part of the Pilot.
Moose Jaw is the only community remaining to launch its RNIP program. As per an official statement by Moose Jaw RNIP, “Late in 2020 or early in 2021, we will begin accepting applications for a Moose Jaw community recommendation from individuals wishing to immigrate to the community through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.”
National Occupational Classification [NOC] codes in high demand in North Bay
North Bay is located in the province of Ontario in Canada. A mere 3-hour drive from Toronto, North Bay is projected as a “safe and welcoming community” of around 51,553 people. A vibrant city offering a balanced and healthy environment for living, working and raising a family.
As per Al McDonald, the Mayor, with an increasing number of individuals assessing the programs and services offered for immigration to the city, North Bay “is now a leading community of support offering settlement services to new residents from all parts of the world”.
The community boundaries of North Bay for the RNIP consist of “the communities of North Bay, Callander, Powassan, East Ferris, Bonfield, West Nipissing and some unorganized townships”.
The RNIP will bring in foreign workers into the community for filling jobs that could not be filled locally. In terms of work overseas in North Bay, there is a high demand in the community for jobs in certain sectors, such as – legal professions, accounting, architecture, mining, aviation, technology, trades, health care, construction, and manufacturing.
| Sector | NOC Code | Description |
| Healthcare & Social Work | NOC 3012 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| NOC 3413 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | |
| NOC 3233 | Licensed practical nurses | |
| NOC 3112 | General practitioners and family physicians | |
| NOC 4152 | Social Workers | |
| NOC 4214 | Early childhood educators and assistants | |
| NOC 4212 | Social and community service workers | |
| NOC 4412 | Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations | |
| NOC 3111 | Specialist Physicians | |
| Trades [licensed or unlicensed] | NOC 7312 | Heavy duty equipment mechanics |
| NOC 7321 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers | |
| NOC 7311 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | |
| NOC 7611 | Construction trades helpers and laborers | |
| NOC 7237 | Welders and related machine operators | |
| NOC 7271 | Carpenters | |
| NOC 7241 | Electricians | |
| NOC 7251 | Plumbers | |
| NOC 7511 | Transport Truck Drivers | |
| NOC 7521 | Heavy equipment operators | |
| NOC 7535 | Other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers | |
| Business Administration | NOC 111 | Auditors, accountants and investment professionals |
| NOC 121 | Administrative services supervisors | |
| NOC 1311 | Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | |
| Information Technology | NOC 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| NOC 2147 | Computer Engineers | |
| NOC 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants | |
| NOC 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators | |
| NOC 2173 | Software engineers and designers | |
| Open NOC* [maximum 10 applications to be accepted] *Applicants with a job offer not listed above to be considered at the sole discretion of the Community Recommendation Committee. | - | For high skill level jobs. For example, pilots, aviation technicians, chefs, engineers etc. |
Note. – The NOC codes under consideration by the North Bay RNIP are subject to change and will be updated as per the demand from employers.
There is no requirement of being within the community at the time of applying. An individual might apply to North Bay RNIP both from within the community as well as from overseas.
Only eligible businesses in the community might take part in the RNIP.
Basic 4-step process for applying for Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot [RNIP]
STEP 1: Meeting eligibility requirements that are –
- Laid down by the IRCC
- Community-specific
STEP 2: Finding an eligible job with an employer in a participating community
STEP 3: Once a job offer has been secured, submission of an application for a recommendation to the community
STEP 4: If community recommendation received, applying for Canada permanent residence
While the IRCC eligibility criteria for the RNIP is general and similarly applicable to all under the Pilot, each of the participating communities have their own individual requirements that have to be fulfilled as well.
A total of 11 communities from 5 Canadian provinces – Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba – are participating in the RNIP.
Of these, 10 have started accepting applications for the RNIP.
| Community | Province | Status |
| Brandon | Manitoba | Accepting applications |
| Claresholm | Alberta | Accepting applications |
| Altona/Rhineland | Manitoba | Accepting applications |
| Moose Jaw | Saskatchewan | To be launched |
| North Bay | Ontario | Accepting applications |
| Sault Ste. Marie | Ontario | Accepting applications |
| Sudbury | Ontario | Accepting applications |
| Thunder Bay | Ontario | Accepting applications |
| Timmins | Ontario | Accepting applications |
| Vernon | British Columbia | Accepting applications |
| West Kootenay | British Columbia | Accepting applications |
As per the June 14, 2019 News Release by IRCC [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada] announcing the Pilot, “This pilot will help attract people that are needed to drive economic growth and help support middle-class jobs in these communities.”
On successfully securing a nomination through the RNIP, the applicant can expect to receive their Canadian permanent residence within 12 months of applying to IRCC.