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’s 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/live long term in the West Kootenay region and meet federal and community specific criteria.

Participating communities include:

  • Rossland
  • Nelson
  • Castlegar
  • Trail
  • Salmo
  • Nakusp
  • Creston
  • Kaslo
  • Grand Forks
Move to the Kootenays

How does it work?

There are 4 steps to apply to RNIP for a community recommendation for permanent residency.

VERIFY YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Check to see if you and your employer meet the federal eligibility requirements. Read the Applicant Federal Eligibility and Community Criteria; and the Employer Eligibility.

SUBMIT EMPLOYMENT FORMS

Send your Offer of Employment Form (IMM 5984) & Employer Declaration Form, (completed by your West Kootenay Employer) here.

COLLECT DOCUMENTS

Gather the documents required on this
RNIP checklist.

APPLY TO WK RNIP

Click here to fill in the West Kootenay RNIP Application Form.

Received your RNIP Community Recommendation?

Apply for permanent residency

How do I qualify for RNIP?

You meet the federal eligibility requirements

You meet the West Kootenay Community Criteria (download form)

You have a job offer from an employer in the West Kootenays who has completed an Offer of Employment Form (IMM 5984) & Employer Declaration Form and you’ve sent these to West Kootenay RNIP BEFORE you complete the WK RNIP Application Form

You have filled out the WK Community Criteria Form and scored 26 points or have a job offer in a West Kootenay priority NOC

You have filled out the WK RNIP Application Form

Who is eligible to apply?

You are a temporary resident (visitor, student, worker) and a current employee of 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 a score of at least 26 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

You are an international student who has 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 a score of at least 26 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

You are overseas and are the successful applicant for a job offer in the West Kootenays

CHECKLIST

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

You have proof of settlement funds

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 a score of at least 26 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

Prepare to move to the West Kootenay by reading the RNIP Settlement document.

What are the West Kootenay’s priority NOCs?

Priority jobs (also referred to as NOCs) are occupations that are in demand in the West Kootenay region. Applying to RNIP with one of the Priority NOC jobs makes you exempt from meeting 26 points on our Community Criteria form.

For a list of the current West Kootenay Priority NOCs visit our Community Criteria page.

Priority NOC Jobs

What happens next?

YOU RECEIVE A COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION

A Community Recommendation Committee meets once a month to assess applications for their intent to reside in the West Kootenays based on application information.

What is a Community Recommendation?

  • Applicants fill out the West Kootenay Community Criteria form as part of the application process
  • A minimum of 26 points is needed to apply to RNIP
  • Exemption: Applicants with a job offer in a West Kootenay priority NOC do not need to meet the 26 points (see above priority NOCs)
  • Once an applicant receives a community recommendation, they are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency with IRCC and a 1-year work permit specific to the employer while that is being processed
YOU SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PILOT

If successful, the applicant receives a Recommendation from the Designated Economic Development Organization (IMM0112E) form and they are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency with IRCC.

  • If you complete the IMM5475 Form, it allows the RNIP Program Coordinator to check the status of your permanent residence application
  • Remember to submit your foreign diploma/degree/certificate in addition to your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
YOU CAN APPLY FOR TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT

Optional: Applicants can apply for a 1-year work permit specific to the employer who provided the Offer of Employment (IMM5984) while your application for permanent residency is being processed

  • Note that your employer will need to submit an “offer of employment” in the Employer Portal
  • Once they have done this, ask for the 7-digit number, starting with the letter “A” then apply online
  • If applicable, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit at the same time as you apply for your 1-year work permit, it will only let them work in the same community as you

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.
Here is a complete application guide from IRCC : Application for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

Other points to consider

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

The West Kootenay RNIP is not affiliated with any Immigration Representative, nor do we give preferential treatment to applicants who have hired an Immigration Representative. However, if you do choose to have your paperwork completed by an Immigration Representative, please refer HERE for information on making an informed choice.

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

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

You may choose to use a representative to act on your behalf or to assist you with finding a qualifying job offer, completing your RNIP application for recommendation or completing your Permanent Resident application. There are different types of representatives: paid and unpaid and authorized and unauthorized. 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

The Community will not communicate with, or allow for, unauthorized representatives to assist with your RNIP application. If you use an unauthorized representative, in Canada or abroad, we may return your application or refuse it.

It is important to note that using a representative does not change how your application will be reviewed or whether it will be approved or rejected. All applications are handled the same regardless of whether a representative is used or not. Immigration representatives cannot 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 IRCC. Any business and individulas 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

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.