On August 16, 2021, the Government of Canada introduced a new program delivery update for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). As of now, foreign nationals who have applied for permanent residence under the RNIP Program and received an acknowledgment of receipt may be issued a full 1-year employer-specific Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit, under paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), or until the passport’s expiry date, whichever comes first.

Applicants are not eligible to apply for the RNIP work permit at a port of entry. All applications must be submitted online only.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a federal program established by Ministerial Instructions, effective November 1, 2019. This pilot aims to attract and retain skilled immigrants in rural and northern communities by testing innovative approaches to permanent immigration.