APPLICANTS GUIDE

Would you like to live and work in the West Kootenays long-term?

If you are an immigrant, temporary resident or overseas candidate looking to become a permanent resident scroll down to learn more about our RNIP program and how to apply.

What is RNIP?

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot makes it easier for skilled foreign workers to work, settle, and apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Applicants to the West Kootenay RNIP must be planning to work and live long-term in the West Kootenay region and meet federal and community criteria.

Participating Communities

Central Kootenay Regional District:

Creston, Yahk, East Shore of Kootenay Lake, Kaslo, North Kootenay Lake, Ainsworth, Balfour, Nelson, Ymir, Salmo, Castlegar, Slocan Valley, Silverton, New Denver, Nakusp, Burton, Fauquier, Edgewood and surrounding areas.

[Most of] Kootenay Boundary Regional District:

Fruitvale, Trail, Warfield, Rossland, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Midway, and Rock Creek and surrounding areas.

See complete map.

Move to the Kootenays

Who is eligible to apply for the West Kootenay RNIP?

Temporary resident

A visitor, student, or worker who is currently employed by a West Kootenay employer

CHECKLIST

Employer completes the Offer of Employment Form (IMM5984) and Employer Declaration Form

You send these employer forms to West Kootenay RNIP BEFORE you complete the WK RNIP Application Form

You complete the West Kootenay Community Criteria Form and have at least 26 points or a job offer in a West Kootenay priority NOC

You have all the documents on the RNIP document checklist and complete the WK RNIP Application Form

International student

Completed their studies in the West Kootenay region in the last 16 months

International Student Exemption

CHECKLIST

Employer completes the Offer of Employment Form (IMM5984) and Employer Declaration Form

You send these employer forms to West Kootenay RNIP BEFORE you complete the WK RNIP Application Form

You complete the West Kootenay Community Criteria Form and have at least 26 points or a job offer in a West Kootenay priority NOC

You have all the documents on the RNIP document checklist and complete the WK RNIP Application Form

Overseas applicant

At this time, the West Kootenay RNIP is prioritizing people living in the region for six or more months

CHECKLIST

Follow this link to learn about other pathways to Immigrate to Canada.

How do I qualify for the West Kootenay RNIP?

Follow these steps to qualify for the West Kootenay Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

VERIFY ELIGIBILITY

Check if you, the job, and your employer are eligible by reading through Federal Eligibility, West Kootenay Community Criteria, and the Eligibility page.

CONTACT RNIP COORDINATOR

Once you have read through the Applicants page and the eligibility criteria, then contact the RNIP Coordinator by email.

SUBMIT FORMS

Send your Offer of Employment Form (IMM5984) and Employer Declaration Form (completed by the Employer) to the RNIP Coordinator by email.

COLLECT DOCUMENTS

Gather all of the documents required on the RNIP Document Checklist.

APPLY

Complete the West Kootenay RNIP Application Form*

*Please note, you must email the RNIP coordinator before you complete the application form.

West Kootenay Priority NOC Jobs

Priority jobs (also referred to as NOCs) are jobs that are in demand in the West Kootenay region.

Applying to the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot with one of the West Kootenay Priority NOC jobs means the candidate does not have to score 26 points on the West Kootenay Community Criteria form.

West Kootenay Priority NOCs

What happens next?

RNIP Committee reviews applications

Your application will be presented to the West Kootenay Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Committee Community Recommendation Meetings. These meetings are held once a month. Application are submitted to the committee in the order that they are received.

Results from Community Recommendation Meeting emailed to applicants

After your application is reviewed at the Community Recommendation Meeting, you will be sent an email telling you if you did or did not receive a community recommendation to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency. Please Note: Not all candidates who are reviewed will be guaranteed a recommendation by our committee.

If you receive a Community Recommendation for Permanent Residency

If you are successful, then you will receive a Recommendation Form (IMM0112E) from the Designated Economic Development Organization.

You are then eligible to apply for Permanent Residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Note: regardless of when you receive the recommendation, you must apply for your permanent residence by August 31, 2024.

If needed, you can also apply for a one-year work permit specific to the employer while the permanent resident application is being processed

How do I apply for the RNIP work permit?

While your application for permanent residency is being processed, applicants can apply for a one-year work permit specific to the employer who provided the Offer of Employment (IMM5984). To do this, your employer must submit an “offer of employment” in the Employer Portal. Once they have done this, ask them for the seven-digit number (starting with the letter “A”), then apply online for the work permit.

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they can apply for an open work permit at the same time that you apply for permanent residency and your one-year work permit. Note: they must work in the same community as you.

Checking on your Permanent Residence application

If you want, you can complete the IMM5475 Form and email it to the RNIP Coordinator, so the RNIP Coordinator can check the status of your permanent resident application.

What else do I need to know?

Please click the topics below to learn more and contact us if you require additional information.

Timeline

Applications will be reviewed by the Community Recommendation Committee on a monthly basis. The applications are processed on a first-in, first-out basis.

Responsiveness

Due to the high volume of interest in the pilot, we will not be able to answer all inquiries.

Other Paths to Immigration

For other paths to immigration, visit Immigrate to Canada on Canada.ca.

Incomplete Applications

Please note applications WILL NOT be considered if the following documents are incomplete and do not meet minimum qualifications:

  • A job offer from a West Kootenay Employer
  • English or French language credentials
  • Educational credential requirements

Immigration Representatives

The West Kootenay Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is not affiliated with any Immigration Representative, nor do we give preferential treatment to applicants who have hired an Immigration Representative.

If you choose to have their paperwork completed by an Immigration Representative, we suggest that you read Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s guidelines for using an immigration and citizenship representative.

Applicants can use a representative to act on their behalf or to assist them with finding a qualifying job offer, completing their RNIP application for recommendation, and/or completing their Permanent Resident application.

There are different types of representatives: paid and unpaid, authorized and unauthorized. The West Kootenay Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will not communicate with, or allow for, unauthorized representatives to assist with RNIP application. If an applicant uses an unauthorized representative, in Canada or abroad, we may return your application or refuse it.

Immigration Representatives are authorized if they are:

  • Lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
  • Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, and
  • Citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

Please note: using an Immigration Representative does not change how the application will be reviewed or whether it will be approved or rejected. All applications are handled the same. Immigration Representatives cannot and should not guarantee Community Recommendation, Permanent Residence, or a more expedient processing of an application.

Fraud and Misrepresentation

Fraud and misrepresentation are taken very seriously by the Community and by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Any business and/or individuals found to be misrepresenting themselves or committing fraud will be banned from applying for recommendation for the duration of the pilot, along with any associated parties. 

Misrepresentation and fraud can take many forms including but not limited to:

  • Submission of fraudulent documents
  • Accepting or offering money for a job offer
  • Intentionally misleading the Community

Decision Making

It is important to note the following:

  • All decisions made by the Community are final and are not subject to appeal.
  • Receiving a recommendation from the Community does not guarantee permanent residence; IRCC has sole authority to approve or refuse all applications for permanent residency.

International Student Exemption

International students are exempt from the work experience criteria if they obtained an eligible program credential from a post-secondary program from a publicly funded post-secondary institution located within the community, provided that:

  • they were enrolled as a full time student during the entire 2 year or more post-secondary program while obtaining the credential

and were;

  1. within the 18 months prior to the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and\
  2. they were physically present in the rural and northern community for at least 16 months during the 24 months immediately prior to obtaining the eligible credential,

OR

  • they were enrolled as a fulltime student for the duration of a master’s or doctoral degree less than two years; and were
  1. within the 18 months prior to the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and
  2. physically present in the rural and northern community for the duration of their entire period of studies; and
  3. physically present in the rural and northern community for the duration of their entire period of studies.

International Student Exemption

International students are exempt from the work experience criteria if they obtained an eligible program credential from a post-secondary program from a publicly funded post-secondary institution located within the community, provided that:

  • they were enrolled as a full time student during the entire 2 year or more post-secondary program while obtaining the credential

and were;

  1. within the 18 months prior to the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and\
  2. they were physically present in the rural and northern community for at least 16 months during the 24 months immediately prior to obtaining the eligible credential,

OR

  • they were enrolled as a fulltime student for the duration of a master’s or doctoral degree less than two years; and were
  1. within the 18 months prior to the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and
  2. physically present in the rural and northern community for the duration of their entire period of studies; and
  3. physically present in the rural and northern community for the duration of their entire period of studies.