EMPLOYERS GUIDE

Yes, you can use RNIP for current employees, as long as they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The job meets all of the job offer requirements
• The employee meets all Federal Eligibility
• The employee scores at least 26 points on the West Kootenay Community Criteria form or the job offer is for a West Kootenay priority NOC
• You as the employer meet all of the Employer Eligibility requirements

Follow your usual approach to hiring (though you may have to conduct interviews virtually/ by phone). Once you have settled on the person you want to hire, begin the RNIP process:

• Ensure the following eligibility requirements:
  • The candidate meets all Federal Eligibility
  • The candidate scores at least 26 points on the West Kootenay Community Criteria form or the job offer is for a West Kootenay priority NOC (in which case they don’t need 26 points)
  • The candidate will be able to show proof of settlement funds
  • The job meets all of the job offer requirements
  • You, as the employer, meet all Employer Eligibility requirements.
• Complete the Offer of Employment Form (IMM5984) and Employer Declaration Form and give to the candidate to submit by email to the West Kootenay RNIP Coordinator.
• Once the candidate has their documents, they will submit their application. The application is then reviewed at a Community Recommendation Meeting (this may take one to three months depending on demand).
• If the candidate is approved for a Community Recommendation, they can immediately apply for Canadian Permanent Residency and a one-year employer-specific work permit.
• For the work permit: as the employer, you must submit an “offer of employment” in the Employer Portal and provide the candidate with the seven-digit number (starting with the letter “A”), so they can complete their portion of the online work permit application.
• Share the RNIP Settlement document with the candidate to help them prepare for their move to the West Kootenays.

Yes, you can hire international students, as long as the following eligibility requirements are met:

• The international student has a valid work permit
• The international student meets all Federal Eligibility
• The international student scores at least 26 points on the West Kootenay Community Criteria form or the job offer is for a West Kootenay priority NOC
• You meet all of the Employer Eligibility requirements

The wage in the Job Offer Form (IMM5984) must meet or exceed $22.00 per hour. However, if the person you are hiring has worked and/or lived in the West Kootenay region for the last six month, then wages can be $18.00 and up.

The wage must also meet or exceed the Job Bank’s minimum wage for your job offer’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

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 candidates choose to have their paperwork completed by an Immigration Representative, we suggest they read IRCC’s guidelines for using an immigration and citizenship representative.

Candidates may 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 and authorized and unauthorized. The Community 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.

The West Kootenay Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Coordinator is available to West Kootenay employers who have questions about the pilot.

Incomplete Documents:

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

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

RNIP 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. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has sole authority to approve or refuse all applications for permanent residency.