Rural Community Immigration Pilot

Thank you for your interest in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in the North Okanagan Shuswap region. 

ABOUT US

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a community-driven program designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in the North Okanagan Shuswap region.

In the North Okanagan Shuswap region, two Community Futures offices are helping meet local labour market needs and support regional economic development with Community partners. Our goal is to create welcoming environments to support new immigrants staying in rural communities. The intention is to increase long-term retention of skilled newcomers with community based partners, federal government partners and government’s support.

Community Futures North Okanagan and Community Futures Shuswap are responsible for establishing priority sectors and occupations in the Community. Only these businesses and candidates who match the criteria can apply for the pilot. The objective of recruiting skilled workers through the pilots is to align with areas of economic growth or development. Not every sector or occupation will be treated as an equal priority. These sectors are reviewed annually and may be adjusted over the next three years. Community Futures North Okanagan was awarded the agreement to offer the Pilot in February 2025 for a 3 year term, by the Government of Canada, Minister of Immigration. This region is one of the only 11 English speaking Pilot programs in Canada.

                                                                             UPDATE: 

Due to unforeseen issues, the Employer Platform will not be ready by May 12. We’re creating a temporary, secure application process and will delay receiving recommendations until it is set. We aim to launch the full platform by the second intake.

 

 SCHEDULE AND KEY DATES

Title

Date

Employer Information Sessions – optional

April 28th and 29th

Candidate Information Sessions – optional 

April 30th and May 1st

Employer Designation opens

May 1st

Applicant Intake window #1 (Delayed)

May 12th

Applicant Intake window #1 closes

May 26th

Recommendation meeting #1

the week of June 2nd 

Applicant Intake window #2

July 7th

Applicant Intake window #2 closes

July 21st

Recommendation meeting #2

the week of July 28th

Applicant Intake Window #3

August 25th

Applicant Intake Window #3 closes

September 8th

Recommendation Meeting #3

the week of Sept 15th

Applicant Intake window #4

Oct 13th

Applicant Intake window #4 closes

October 27th

Recommendation meeting #4

the week of Nov 3rd

Applicant Intake window #5

Nov 24th

Applicant Intake window #5 closes

Dec 8th

Recommendation Meeting #5

the week of Dec 15th

Our Community Boundary

The RCIP Community boundary for the North Okanagan-Shuswap includes all of the Regional District of the North Okanagan and electoral areas C, D, E, F, G of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District along with the City of Salmon Arm.

Eligible Communities include but are not limited to:

  • Armstrong
  • Ashton Creek
  • Anglemont
  • Blind Bay
  • Celista
  • Cherryville
  • Coldstream/Lavington
  • Deep Creek
  • Enderby
  • Falkland
  • Grindrod
  • Lumby
  • Salmon Arm
  • Scotch Creek
  • Sicamous
  • Silver Creek
  • Sorrento
  • Spallumcheen
  • Malakwa
  • Vernon