Q: Can I apply for RCIP if I live outside of Canada?
A: Yes, candidates can apply from outside of Canada.
Q: Is there a wage requirement?
A: Yes, the community wage requirement is set at $22 unless otherwise specified.
Q: How long does it take to be recommended?
A: The time it takes to process an application depends on when the candidate applies, if the application is complete, and where they rank in the candidate pool.
Q: How long does it take to be approved for Permanent Residence?
A: IRCC’s processing time is unclear at this point. Contact IRCC for more details.
Q: Where can I find the Designated Employer List?
A: The Designated Employer list can be found under the Resources and Policies tab on this website.
Q: How do I find an eligible job?
A: Individuals are required to find suitable employment on their own. The RCIP team does not assist with finding employment.
Q: My NOC is prioritized but my employer’s sector is not. Am I eligible?
A: No. Only those who have an eligible job offer from an employer in a prioritized sector can apply.
Q: Can I apply for recommendation if my NOC code is not prioritized?
A: Yes, in some cases individuals can apply for recommendation with what we call a “Secondary NOC Code.” These codes are not prioritized but can be considered on a case-by-case basis as long as the job offer is from a designated employer.
Q: How can I get an RCIP work permit?
A: RCIP work permit are only available to those who have received a community recommendation and have applied to IRCC for permanent residence.
Q: Is the RCIP work permit open or closed?
A: The RCIP work permit is an employer specific (closed) work permit that can be valid for up to 2 years.
Q: Can my spouse receive a work permit as well?
A: Yes. The spouse of a principal applicant can receive a regionally specific open work permit as long as they apply after the principal applicant has submitted their RCIP permanent resident application.
Q: If I already have a job, can I apply or do I need to get a new employer?
A: If the employer is designated by the community, the individual can submit a recommendation application via their employer even if they are currently working for them. RCIP can be utilized to retain someone in their current position or to recruit someone for a vacancy.
Q: Is my Canadian education eligible for RCIP?
A: For a credential from a Canadian institution to be eligible for RCIP it must be listed as “Recognized” on CICIC’s Directory of Educational Institutions in Canada. If Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) lists your school as anything other than “recognized” it will be ineligible for the purposes of RCIP.
However, there are some exceptions, if the education was pursued from British Columbia. For more details, please refer to the Post Secondary Education Checklist available on our Resources and Policies page.
You must submit a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from your home country in the absence of Canadian education or if your Canadian Education is not meeting the above-mentioned requirements.
Q: How can I get a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
A: There are multiple different organizations that provide ECAs that are accepted by IRCC. You can find them at this link.
Q: The RCIP point system mentions close family members in the community, what does this mean?
A: For the purposes of RCIP, close family members are Siblings, Parents, Grandparents and Adult children of either the principal applicant or their spouse who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents. Proof of citizenship or permanent residence will be required to receive the points.
Q: What happens to my application if I do not receive the recommendation during an intake window?
A: If you do not receive the recommendation, your application will remain in the candidate pool for up to six months. There are two exceptions to this: i) if you withdraw and resubmit a new application or ii) if your application is either recommended or declined within the six months’ timeframe.
Please note that you must continue to meet the eligibility requirements in order to keep participating in the program.