As of 2025, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in Sault Ste. Marie offers foreign skilled workers and international graduates a targeted and employer-driven pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Replacing the former Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), this new initiative reflects Canada’s evolving immigration priorities—aimed at sustaining economic growth and meeting workforce demands in rural and smaller urban centres.
Why Sault Ste. Marie?
Sault Ste. Marie is a thriving community of 78,000 nestled in Ontario’s Great Lakes region. The city offers a unique blend of urban infrastructure and natural beauty, all at an affordable cost of living. As a designated RCIP location, the community now plays a critical role in facilitating immigration for qualified candidates aligned with its economic and labor market priorities.
What Is the RCIP?
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot enables qualified foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence (PR) if they receive a job offer from a designated local employer. Administered by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, the pilot focuses on five priority sectors:
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Healthcare
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Education, Law, and Community Services
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Sales and Service
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Manufacturing and Utilities
As of May 8, 2025, the community has reached its cap for dine-in restaurant positions under the pilot. However, opportunities remain open in other sectors listed above.
Employer Designation and Application Process
The RCIP is employer-led, meaning only designated employers may submit candidate applications. Businesses that wish to hire through the pilot must:
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Hire or have hired a Temporary Foreign Worker in one of the 2025 NOC priority occupations.
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Apply for designation through the local labor force office.
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Complete training provided by the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
Once designated, the employer gains access to the portal to submit applications on behalf of qualified candidates.
Sample of Designated Employers:
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Algoma Tubes Inc. (Tenaris Canada)
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Sault Area Hospital
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Extendicare Mapleview
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Child Care Algoma
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JD Aero Technical Inc.
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Northern Power Train
(Full list available on the community’s official site.)
Eligibility Requirements for Candidates
To be eligible under the RCIP in Sault Ste. Marie, applicants must:
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Have a valid job offer from a designated employer.
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Have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience in the last 3 years.
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Demonstrate language proficiency based on the NOC TEER level of the job offer.
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Provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or hold a Canadian equivalent.
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Show proof of funds to support their transition and settlement.
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Intend to reside in the community.
Exceptions for International Students
International graduates from a public institution in the Sault Ste. Marie area may be exempt from the work experience requirement if:
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Their program was 2 years or more, or
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They completed a master’s degree and stayed in the community throughout their studies.
Programs heavily focused on English/French training or delivered mainly via distance learning are not eligible.
Language Requirements
Candidates must complete an approved language test—CELPIP, IELTS (General), PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada—with the following minimum Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB):
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TEER 0 or 1: CLB 6
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TEER 2 or 3: CLB 5
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TEER 4 or 5: CLB 4
Scores must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.
Educational Requirements
Applicants must have:
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A Canadian secondary school diploma, or
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A valid ECA report showing equivalency to Canadian high school or post-secondary education.
Professionals in regulated fields (e.g., doctors, pharmacists) must obtain assessments from their respective regulatory bodies, such as the Medical Council of Canada or the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.
Proof of Funds
Applicants must show sufficient financial resources to support themselves and accompanying family members. This is waived only for candidates already legally working in Canada at the time of application.
Commitment to the Community
A core requirement is the intent to settle permanently in Sault Ste. Marie. The community prioritizes applicants who demonstrate long-term commitment through ties to local employers, family, or previous educational experience.
Visaserve Immigration Law P.C. can assist employers with designation applications and help eligible foreign workers navigate the RCIP pathway to permanent residence. To learn more or start your application, contact our team of licensed immigration professionals today.
