Program delivery update: Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

January 13, 2026

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) was officially launched on January 30, 2025. The RCIP ensures that rural communities have access to programs that address labour shortages and help local businesses find the workers they need.

Each selected community is represented by a local economic development organization, which will work with IRCC to identify its critical labour gaps, designate trustworthy employers and recommend suitable candidates to IRCC for permanent residence. IRCC has begun training the economic development organizations, and each community will provide details and timelines on when employers and prospective permanent residence candidates can expect to have a chance to apply.

New instructions

• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): Application process and who can apply
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): Putting an application into processing
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): Other situations
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): Admissibility and making a final decision
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): Examination before granting permanent residence

Updated instructions

• Economic classes: Procedures at the Centralized Intake Office for applications (non-Express Entry)