NOTE: OUR COMMUNITY CRITERIA PRIORITY RANKING POINTS HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE SEE OUR COMMUNITY CRITERIA TAB TO SCORE YOUR POINTS. THERE IS A MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY
Welcome and thank you for your interest in coming to the West Kootenay region. Please review the information below and follow the steps carefully.
For all community-based questions, please direct them to contact us. For all other questions regarding the pilot, please go to IRCC’s website.
If you are having difficulty opening any government forms please use this guide:
Help Centre – I can’t open my application form in PDF format. What can I do?
Application Process
1. Ensure that you meet the federal eligibility requirements
Ensure that you meet the federal eligibility requirements
NEW PUBLIC POLICY ANNOUCED ABOUT WORK EXPERIENCE: this public policy will allow candidates to meet the work experience requirement where they have accumulated one full year of work experience in the three years preceding their application for permanent residence, regardless of whether this work experience was continuous or not. Required total hours are 1560 and cannot be accumulated in less than 1 year.
2. Find Full time employment in the Community
To search for a job in the region:
For full time employment requirements please visit: IRCC website
You must have the RNIP Offer of Employment Form filled out and signed by your employer. It is your responsibility to upload this form as part of your application. PLEASE NOTE The West Kootenay RNIP team will not assist candidates with their job search or placement.
These 2 forms below must be filled out and sent to erooney@futures.bc.ca before you can apply to the West Kootenay RNIP.
Offer of Employment Form (IMM 5984)
Employment Declaration Form
NEW PUBLIC POLICY ANNOUCED ABOUT WORK EXPERIENCE: this public policy will allow candidates to meet the work experience requirement where they have accumulated one full year of work experience in the three years preceding their application for permanent residence, regardless of whether this work experience was continuous or not. Required total hours are 1560 and cannot be accumulated in less than 1 year.
3. Ensure that you and your employer meet the Community Based Criteria
The Community Recommendation Committee will be assessing candidates’ ties to the community to ensure you and your family are prepared to reside in the West Kootenay region after you receive your permanent residency.
NOTE: OUR COMMUNITY CRITERIA PRIORITY RANKING POINTS HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE SEE OUR COMMUNITY CRITERIA TAB BELOW TO SCORE YOUR POINTS. THERE IS A MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED.
4. HOW to APPLY: West Kootenay RNIP – Application Form
Intake periods: The West Kootenay RNIP will prioritize priority NOCs and the highest Community Criteria scores per intake. If the applicant does not get chosen on the first intake period after applying, they are put into a cue and held for 2 more intake periods. If they do not get reviewed by the selection committee within those 3 intake periods, their application is withdrawn from the cue and they are welcome to reapply.
Due to administrative capacity some intake periods may close earlier than others. Please refer back to our Community Criteria frequently as our prioritization factors are a fluid document and can change at any time.
Once you have completed Steps 1 – 3, complete the online application form and include all required information and attachments. Use the application portal below to submit your complete application.
The WK-RNIP will not accept applications, documents or forms unless they come through this application portal.
RNIP Document Checklist
If you are having difficulty opening any government forms please use this guide:
Help Centre – I can’t open my application form in PDF format. What can I do?
5. Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residency
If you have received a community recommendation use these steps to apply to IRCC
- Application for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (Includes IRCC checklist)
- If you need a RNIP employer LMIA exempt work permit go to: work permit
Please note applications WILL NOT be considered if they are incomplete and do not meet minimum qualifications:
- Job offer from a West Kootenay Employer
- English (and possibly French) language credentials
- Educational credential requirements