Employers

Looking to hire a skilled foreign worker?

If you are an employer looking to recruit, hire and retain skilled foreign workers (an immigrant, temporary resident or overseas candidate) who wants to live and work in the North Bay & area and is seeking permanent residency, this section will guide you.

Why choose RCIP?

The North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) makes it easier for employers to hire skilled foreign workers to help fill their labour shortages in certain sectors and occupations.

Candidates for the North Bay & Area RCIP must be planning to work and live long term in the Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts and meet the federal and community criteria.

Participating Communities - Boundary

The North Bay & Area RCIP boundary is comprised of the census division of the Nipissing District, the Parry Sound District, and the Town of Latchford, extending south to the northern boundary of the Nipissing District.

Click Here to Access Interactive Boundary Map

North Bay & Area RCIP Priority Sectors and NOCs

PLEASE NOTE: While all occupations contribute to the economic growth of North Bay & Area, we are required to prioritize sectors and select only 25 total occupations for our pilot. These occupations have been determined in consultation with local stakeholders and labour market information/data to support community economic development. These occupations will be reviewed annually.

Only employers who do business in at least one priority occupation and sector listed below will be eligible to become a Designated Employer and participate in the North Bay & Area RCIP.

Lastly, there is a limit on the number of employees a Designated Employer can put through the program. For those in the healthcare field, it is up to 5 per year. Employers in all other priority sectors may receive up to 3. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the RCIP Coordinators in the event that extenuating circumstances arise.

Priority Occupations

Occupation Code	Occupation Name
11100	Financial Auditors and Accountants
11102	Financial Advisors
12200	Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
13110	Administrative Assistants
14400	Shippers & Receivers
21232	Software Developers and Programmers
21300	Civil Engineers
21310	Electrical and Electronics Engineers
22220	Computer Network and Web Technicians
31301	Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
32101	Licensed Practical Nurses
33100	Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants
33102	Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Services Associates
33103	Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants
42201	Social and Community Service Workers
42202	Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
44101	Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations
64410	*Security Guards and Related Security Service Occupations (with 5% limit)
72100	Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors
72106	Welders and Related Machine Operators
72200	Electricians
72404	Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspections
72410	Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers
75110	Construction Trade Helpers and Labourers
94110	Production Line Worker

Please Note: At this time, we are excluding all fast food and retail occupations, including convenience store and gas station positions, from this pilot. We will review priority sectors and occupations yearly.

*64410 - Security Guards and Related Security Service Occupations: IRCC has specified a limit on NOC 64410 of 1 candidate per employer with 1-50 full-time employees, and a limit of 2 candidates per employer with 51-100 full-time employees. In addition to these limits, candidates must possess a minimum of two years of consecutive security-related work experience OR have completed at least two years of post-secondary education in law and security, police technology, or a related field. The maximum number of Community Recommendations available for NOC 64410 within the North Bay & Area RCIP will be 5% of our total allocations for 2026.

Priority Sectors

Business, finance and administration

Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

Health

Education, law and social, community and government services

Sales and service

Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

Don’t see your Priority Sector and/or NOC(s) listed among those accepted for the North Bay and Area RCIP?

While we appreciate that every occupation contributes to our communities and the economy, RCIP is not for everyone.

If your employees are not eligible for the North Bay & Area RCIP in 2026, we would like your feedback. Please submit your requests for consideration HERE. We will review all requests and consider changes yearly.

Employer Requirements

Here are the steps to participate and hire a candidate through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.

PLEASE NOTE: The pilot does not facilitate hiring; it is up to the employers to find qualified candidates for the job(s).

STEP 1 – Become a Designated Employer

In order to participate in the North Bay & Area RCIP, an employer must be designated.

To be designated, an employer must:

Be an active, genuine business that has been operating continuously for at least 2 years within the community boundary;
Do business in at least one priority occupation identified above;
Do at least 75% of business work inside the community boundaries;
Complete the free onboarding training;
Complete the free intercultural competency training;
Agree to support the settlement of each applicant and any accompanying family member, including by facilitating access to the settlement and social service support;
Agree to be listed publicly on the North Bay & Area RCIP website;
Not be in violation of the employer compliance regime under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) or Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), and be in good standing and comply with the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
Have no outstanding penalties or charges with the Municipal Planning & Building Department, and that both property taxes and water and sewer accounts are current with no past due balances; and
Not have directly or indirectly misrepresented or withheld any fact relating to a relevant matter that could influence the decision of allowing them to participate in the program.

The following businesses/organizations are NOT eligible to participate in the North Bay & Area RCIP:

A consulate;
A staffing or employment agency;
A business owned by an authorized immigration representative;
A business that an applicant (or their spouse or common-law partner) owns or controls;
An employer referred to in paragraphs 200(3)(g.1) and (h) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
A business owned by a representative who is a person referred to in subsection 91(2) of the Act https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-2.5/section-91.html

STEP 2 – Apply for Designation

There is no cost to becoming a designated employer. You can apply for designation in advance of hiring a foreign national or when you find someone you wish to hire. Designation applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Contact the RCIP Coordinator by email at [email protected] to discuss and confirm:

Your business/organization’s eligibility for the Pilot;
Your prospective job offer; and/or
Your candidate’s eligibility (if applicable);
Receive the links to the mandatory online training; and
Apply online for Employer Designation Application Form.

Click here for the RCIP Employer Designation Guideline Document

Once you have completed the online training and downloaded the Certificates of Completion, submit them along with your completed Designation for Application Form.

North Bay & Area RCIP Application Portal

Please Note: Employers are only required to be designated once, in order to participate in the Pilot. However, an employer’s designation status may be revoked for any of the following reasons:

Pilot priority sectors and/or occupations change and the employer no longer falls within priorities;
The designated employer voluntarily requests withdrawal from the Pilot;
The NBDCC becomes aware that the employer no longer meets the employer designation criteria; or
Any of the reasons set out in section (4) of the Ministerial Instructions with respect to the Rural Community Immigration Class or Francophone Community Immigration Class.

STEP 3 - Hire a Candidate

Once you’re designated, you can offer jobs to eligible candidates.

Please Note: The North Bay & Area RCIP doesn’t match candidates with jobs. You may find a candidate on your own or a candidate may approach you. If the candidate is not currently working with your business, you will have to demonstrate that you made efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident prior to providing the offer of employment to the candidate.

Click here to ensure your job offer meets the requirements of the Pilot.

Click the link below to ensure your candidate meets the candidate requirements:

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) – Candidate Requirements

If the job and candidate meet the requirements of the pilot, please move to Step 4 to Apply for Recommendation.

STEP 4 - Apply for Recommendation

The Community Recommendation Application Form confirms:

That you haven’t been able to fill the job with someone locally;
That the job offer meets the pilot requirements;
That the candidate meets all of the requirements for the pilot;
That you commit to connecting your candidate with immigrant settlement services in your community.

When you are ready to apply on behalf of your employee, please click here for the RCIP Recommendation Application Guidelines to help you through the process.

Here are the forms that are required to apply for recommendation:

RCIP Recommendation Application
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) – Offer of Employment to a Foreign National (IMM 0247)
Schedule 1: Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) (IMM 0248)
Intent to Reside Statement (to be completed by the candidate/employee)

Encourage your candidate to get their documents ready for you to submit with their recommendation application.

Once you complete all the forms listed above, please click button below to upload to our portal:

North Bay & Area RCIP Application Portal

Please Note: Recommendation applications can only be submitted during one of the monthly intake periods listed below.

The North Bay & Area RCIP staff are here to support employers throughout the process and answer any questions you may have.

2026 Intake Periods:

February 15, 12:00 am to February 21, 11:59 pm
March 8, 12:00 am to March 14, 11:59 pm
April 5, 12:00 am to April 11, 11:59 pm
May 3, 12:00 am to May 9, 11:59 pm
June 7, 12:00 am to June 13, 11:59 pm
July 12, 12:00 am to July 18, 11:59 pm
August 9, 12:00 am to August 15, 11:59 pm
September 13, 12:00 am to September 19, 11:59 pm
October 18, 12:00 am to October 24, 11:59 pm
November 15, 12:00 am to November 21, 11:59 pm

We will be issuing up to 25 community recommendations for each intake period.

The North Bay & Area RCIP ranks applications in a pool using a points-based system. Complete applications meeting the eligibility requirements with a minimum score of 50 points will be placed into the Candidate Pool.

The North Bay & Area RCIP Federal and Community scoring system

STEP 5 – How Applications are Processed

The North Bay & Area RCIP ranks applications in a pool using a points-based system. Complete applications meeting the eligibility requirements with a minimum score of 50 points required will be placed into the Candidate Pool.

The North Bay & Area RCIP Federal and Community scoring system

Selection will be completed by the RCIP Coordinators once per month. The highest-scoring applications in the pool of each intake period will be further assessed by the North Bay & Area RCIP and reviewed by the Community Recommendation Committee at the end of every month. Candidates deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Ministerial Instructions will be issued a community recommendation certificate.

*Tie-breaking rule: If more than one application has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time the applications were submitted (i.e. whichever was submitted first).

Applications not selected for further review by the Committee will be brought forward to the following month. Applications will not be considered if they are incomplete or do not meet federal eligibility requirements. It is up to employers to ensure they meet the program requirements, and their application is complete.

STEP 6 - Support your Candidate

If the application for a recommendation is approved, your candidate will receive a recommendation certificate that allows them to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

Click here for the RCIP PR application document checklist

Continue to support your candidate by implementing the commitments to settling that you outlined on the Recommendation Application Form to help the candidate integrate into your business/organization and to feel welcome in the community.

Please Note: Receiving a community recommendation certificate from the North Bay & Area RCIP does not guarantee that your candidate will receive permanent residence. It is up to the IRCC Processing Officer’s discretion when they are reviewing the application.

STEP 7 – Optional: Work Permit for Candidates

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use RCIP for a person that already works for me?

How do I hire someone from overseas?

To hire an overseas candidate through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP):

Find a candidate and make sure they meet all candidate requirements.
Ensure your job offer meets RCIP job offer requirements.
Check that the candidate has their required documents ready.
If this is your first time using RCIP, you must become a designated employer.

Once these steps are complete, you can make a job offer and begin the RCIP application process.

Can I hire an international student?

What wage am I required to pay?

Use of Immigration Representatives

The North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot is not affiliated with any Immigration Representative, nor do we give preferential treatment to applications from an Immigration Representative.

If employers and candidates choose to have their paperwork completed by an Immigration Representative, we suggest they read Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s guidelines for using an immigration and citizenship representative.

Employers and candidates may use a representative to act on their behalf or to assist them with finding a qualifying job offer, completing their RCIP application for recommendation, and/or completing their Permanent Resident application.

There are different types of representatives: paid and unpaid, authorized and unauthorized. The North Bay & Area RCIP will not communicate with, or allow for, unauthorized representatives to assist with an RCIP application. If an applicant uses an unauthorized representative, in Canada or abroad, we may return your application or refuse it.

Immigration Representatives are authorized if they are:

Lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec
Citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

Please Note: Using an Immigration Representative does not change how the application will be reviewed or whether it will be approved or rejected. All applications are handled equally. Immigration Representatives cannot and should not guarantee Community Recommendation, Permanent Residence, or a more expedited processing of an application.

I have questions about the pilot, is there someone I can talk to?

What else do I need to know?

Incomplete Documents:

Applications WILL NOT be considered if the following documents are incomplete and do not meet minimum qualifications:

A valid job offer from a designated North Bay & Area employer
Valid English or French language test results that meet the requirements of the job offer. Learn more.
Canadian educational credential or the foreign equivalent with an ECA (Education Credential Assessment). Learn more.
Proof of related work experience (one year/1,560 hours) in the last three years, unless they are exempt.
If not currently working in Canada, proof that the candidate has enough money to support themselves and their family.

Fraud and Misrepresentation

Fraud and misrepresentation are taken very seriously by the North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Any business and/or individuals found to be misrepresenting themselves or committing fraud will be banned from applying for recommendation for the duration of the pilot, along with any associated parties.

Misrepresentation and fraud can take many forms including but not limited to:

Submission of fraudulent documents
Accepting or offering money for a job offer
Intentionally misleading the North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot

Rural Community Immigration Pilot Decision Making

It is important to note the following:

All decisions made by the North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot are final and are not subject to appeal.
Receiving a recommendation from the North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot does not guarantee permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has sole authority to approve or refuse all applications for permanent residency.