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The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program aimed at bringing skilled workers to rural communities in Canada. It was recently announced that Sudbury, Ontario will be opening up applications in December 2019.
As a newcomer, you can now set your sights on Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie when you start your Canada visa application to relocate through Canada’s rural and northern communities.
Most foreigners opt for larger urban centers such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, attracted to city life and high-paying salaries, not realizing that rural communities have opportunities that are just as, if not even more, lucrative.
An accountant, for example, can expect an average annual salary of about 51,065 CAD in Toronto, compared to Sault Ste. Marie where you can earn an average of approximately 52,628 CAD per year.
Industries that are currently in demand in Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie includes:
- Steel manufacturing and fabrication
- Forestry;
- Aviation/Aerospace;
- Lottery and Gaming Sector;
- Renewable energy and Clean Tech;
- IT and digital sector;
- Education;
- Law Enforcement;
- Medical professionals (including physicians and registered nurses);
- Accounting;
- Mining;
- Real Estate;
- Transportation (including long haul truck drivers).
The cost of living in bigger cities are often higher. Consumer prices are 31.74% higher in Toronto than in Sault Ste Marie and rent is a staggering 131.82% higher in Toronto. Statistics show that in order to maintain the same standard of living, you would need about 6,748 CAD in Toronto, as opposed to only 4,300 CAD in Sault Ste. Marie.
You are probably more likely to find work in Canada's rural and northern territories as most immigrants flock to city centers, which means that you’ll be much more likely to be successful in your Canada visa application by applying through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Am I Eligible?
In order to qualify to apply for a Canada visa through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, you will need to meet the general IRCC eligibility criteria.
| General IRCC Eligibility Criteria |
|---|
| At least 1 year of continuous work experience in the past year |
| Minimum language requirements based on your NOC Category: |
| Have a Canadian high school diploma or ECA(educational credential assessment) of your foreign credential equivalent to Canadian high school |
| Settlement funds |
| Meet the requirements specific to your designated community |
How Do I Apply?
The first step is to ensure that you meet the specific requirements of your chosen community. The pilot launches in different communities at different times. The following communities are currently accepting Canada visa applications through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot:
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario;
-
- Thunder Bay, Ontario(Officially accepting applications from January 2020); and
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
You will need to send supporting documentation such as your resume, language test results, education credentials and qualifications etc., along with your Canada visa application:
If you are successful in your application, you will receive a Community Recommendation Letter, which you can use to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
