The Rural and Northern Migration Program is a community-based program. The program is designed to extend the benefits of economic migration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities.

There are four steps to applying for permanent residency under this program.

• You must ensure that you meet both the general requirements of the IRCC and the specific requirements of the region.
• Find a qualified job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
• When you have a job offer, you send your application to the community for advice.
• If that community chooses you, then you apply for permanent residence.

Each community has its requirements.

What you can expect from a community:

The program is community-oriented, meaning that communities evaluate potential candidates that best fit the community’s economic needs.

Candidates for permanent residency are then nominated to the Immigration Office for a final decision.

Finally, newcomers are introduced to accommodation service groups and other institutions.

Current participating communities are:

North Bay, ON

Sudbury, ON   

Timmins, ON  

Sault Ste. Marie, ON  

Thunder Bay, ON       

Brandon, MB  

Altoona /Rhineland, MB        

Moose Jaw, SK

Claresholm, AB          

Vernon, BC

West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC