Steinbach Launches RCIP for Skilled Workers: Pathway to Permanent Residence
Steinbach, Manitoba's third-largest city, has launched its Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) program, offering a pathway to permanent residence (PR) for foreign nationals. The Steinbach Economic Development (SED) will issue up to five recommendations per intake period, with priority given to certain sectors and occupations.
The RCIP is employer-driven, with Steinbach nominating five priority sectors: Health, Education, Law and Social Services, Sales and Service, Trades and Transport, and Manufacturing and Utilities. Each sector has specific priority occupations, totaling 25 eligible jobs, with their respective National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. Employers operating in these sectors can become designated employers and participate in the program.
Foreign nationals must meet additional criteria to be eligible. They must have a job offer from an approved employer in a designated occupation, along with relevant work experience, language proficiency, educational qualifications, and settlement funds. Upon meeting all criteria and receiving a job offer and certificate of recommendation from the SED, applicants can apply for permanent residence with the federal government.
The intake period opens on the first of every month and closes on the 15th or when seven applications are received, whichever comes first. The SED will issue recommendations on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of one recommendation per NOC code each month and two per calendar year, excluding certain healthcare NOC codes.
Steinbach's RCIP offers a unique opportunity for foreign nationals to settle in Manitoba permanently. With designated sectors and occupations, and clear eligibility criteria, the program aims to attract skilled workers to support the local economy and community.
