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.
Q: What type of work experience can be counted toward my score, and how much work experience can I claim? Can I submit work experience gained outside Canada?
A: You may refer to the “What counts as related work experience” section on the Federal Government’s RCIP webpage to determine what may qualify as related work experience.
Work experience gained in Canada may be considered if it is valid, legal, and paid, and was obtained in accordance with applicable provincial and federal laws.
Similarly, related, paid, and legal work experience gained outside Canada, including in your home country or another country, may also be considered toward your score.
You must list all work experience gained to date on Schedule 1-IMM0248e and provide supporting documentation for the work experience you are claiming.
Q: What document should I upload for my Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
A: If your education was completed in Canada at a recognized educational institution (please refer to the Post Secondary Education Checklist for more information), you must provide a valid educational credential, such as your diploma, degree, or certificate.
If your education was completed outside Canada, you must provide a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) confirming the Canadian equivalency of your education. An ECA is considered valid for five years from the date it was issued. For more information, please visit this link.
Please ensure that the document you submit clearly identifies the credential and the institution that issued it and is not expiring until five years.
Q: What should I do if I wish to add or change a new information or document to an already submitted application on the portal?
A: Unfortunately, we are unable to consider any additional documentation or information that may affect your score under either of the following circumstances unless specifically requested by our team:
- After the application has been submitted or
- Once the assessment has been completed and the application has been scored.
If you are planning to update your application due to any reason, you must reapply. To reapply, your employer must email us requesting the withdrawal of the existing/current application, and then you must submit a new application during an Applicant Intake Window. Please note that the withdrawal may take place at any time; however, the new application must be submitted only during a suitable Applicant Intake Window.
Q: What can I expect if I intend to challenge the score awarded to my application?
A: If you wish to challenge the score or points awarded to your application, you may email us to explain the discrepancy. Your challenge must be based on the documents originally submitted with your application. We will not accept any new or additional documentation at this stage.