Five communities in Ontario participating in Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) have officially announced their priority sectors and occupations for 2026, opening new permanent residence (PR) opportunities for skilled foreign workers.
Under the RCIP, foreign nationals who secure a job offer from a designated employer in a priority occupation can apply for Canadian permanent residence through a community recommendation.
Participating Ontario Communities
The following Ontario regions are part of the RCIP in 2026:
- Thunder Bay
- North Bay
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Sudbury
- Timmins
Each community has identified specific labour shortages and published sector-based occupation lists aligned with their economic needs.
Thunder Bay
Located in Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay is prioritizing six sectors in 2026:
- Business, finance and administration
- Health
- Education, law and social, community and government services
- Sales and service
- Trades, transport and equipment operators
- Manufacturing and utilities (newly added in 2026)
Thunder Bay has listed 25 priority occupations, including:
- Administrative Assistants (NOC 13110)
- Cooks (NOC 63200)
- Early Childhood Educators (NOC 42202)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)
- Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
- Transport Truck Drivers – short-haul/local only (NOC 73300)
- Retail Salespersons (NOC 64100)
- Security Guards (NOC 64410)
Occupations within priority sectors that are not listed may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.
North Bay
North Bay, in Northeastern Ontario, has identified six priority sectors:
- Business, finance and administration
- Health
- Education, law and social services
- Sales and service
- Trades and transport
- Natural and applied sciences (new in 2026)
Some priority occupations include:
- Civil Engineers (NOC 21300)
- Software Developers and Programmers (NOC 21232)
- Financial Auditors and Accountants (NOC 11100)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)
- Welders (NOC 72106)
- Accounting Technicians (NOC 12200)
Important: Fast food and retail occupations are currently excluded in North Bay.
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is prioritizing the following sectors:
- Health
- Education and social services
- Business and finance
- Trades and transport
- Manufacturing and utilities
- Natural and applied sciences
Priority occupations include:
- Engineering Managers (NOC 20010)
- General Practitioners and Family Physicians (NOC 31102)
- Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
- Machinists (NOC 72100)
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists (NOC 22301)
- Bus and Transit Operators (NOC 73301)
Notably, sales and service is no longer a priority sector in 2026.
Sudbury
Sudbury, the largest city in Northern Ontario, is prioritizing:
- Business, finance and administration (new addition)
- Health
- Education and social services
- Trades and transport
- Natural and applied sciences
- Natural resources and agriculture
Key occupations include:
- Construction Managers (NOC 70010)
- Mining Engineers (NOC 21330)
- Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 72401)
- Medical Laboratory Assistants (NOC 33101)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)
- Welders (NOC 72106)
Timmins
Timmins is the only Ontario city maintaining five priority sectors in 2026:
- Health
- Education and social services
- Trades and transport
- Natural resources and agriculture
- Manufacturing and utilities (newly added)
Priority occupations include:
- Mining Engineers (NOC 21330)
- Geological and Mineral Technologists (NOC 22101)
- Heavy Equipment Operators (NOC 73400)
- Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
- Welders (NOC 72106)
- Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 73300)
About the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a federal permanent residence pathway launched in 2025 to help smaller communities outside Quebec address ongoing labour shortages.
Currently, 14 communities across Canada participate in the program. To qualify under RCIP, applicants must:
- Secure a job offer from a designated employer
- Obtain a community recommendation
- Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past three years
- Meet language requirements (CLB 4–6 depending on TEER level)
- Hold a Canadian credential or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds (starting at $10,507 for a single applicant)
Applicants who submit a complete PR application may also qualify for a special RCIP work permit while awaiting permanent residence approval.
How Oasis Visas Can Help
The RCIP presents a strong opportunity for skilled workers looking to settle in Ontario’s growing rural communities. However, employer designation rules, NOC alignment, TEER classifications and eligibility criteria must be carefully assessed.
Oasis Visas provides:
- Eligibility assessment
- Job offer guidance
- RCIP documentation support
- Work permit and PR application assistance
Contact Oasis Visas today to explore your Canadian permanent residence options under the 2026 RCIP program.
