Immigration

Grow your roots in the North

Timmins Regional Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

Timmins was selected as one of 11 communities across Canada to participate in RNIP. The current Timmins pilot is spearheaded by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation and numerous community partners.

Eligibility requirements and how to apply are outlined for Applicants and Employers below. 

For program questions and inquiries:
immigration@timmins.ca
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332).

For additional information regarding the program:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Program Updates

September 1, 2023

The Timmins Regional RNIP Community Criteria has been updated. There has been an increase for maximum points a spouse can receive for work experience in section 10) b. A new section for children of the principal applicant has been added in section 10) g. The new Community Criteria will take effect immediately. Anyone applying for a community recommendation after September 1, 2023 will be considered under the new criteria.

As part of our efforts to prioritize French Language Essential Occupations, the Timmins Regional RNIP is introducing a monthly francophone draw. Please see step 5 in the applicant section for up-to-date information on our general monthly draws and our francophone-specific draws.

The Timmins Regional RNIP has made changes to their priority occupations. The following NOCs are no longer considered priority occupations within the boundaries: NOC 60020 Retail and wholesale trade managers and NOC 60030 Restaurant and food service managers. NOC 60020 and NOC 60030 will now fall under the Open NOC Category. These changes will come into effect as of our next intake period, which begins on Sunday, May 21, 2023. For more information on priority NOC codes and eligible occupations, please visit Step 2 in the Applicant section below.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are switching to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification. Any future applications submitted to the Timmins Regional Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot must use the IRCC NOC 2021 page for the most accurate and up-to-date program information.

The Timmins Regional RNIP is moving to an Applicant Pool and Draw System. The current intake period is closing on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 11:59 pm. You can find more information regarding our new system under Step 5 of the Applicants section below for a list of upcoming intake periods.

The Timmins Regional RNIP has expanded beyond the City of Timmins. We are now accepting applications from our expanded boundaries. The Timmins Regional RNIP Community Criteria has also been updated.

Use of an Immigration Representative
The use of an immigration representative is not required and does not affect the applicant’s chance of receiving a recommendation. If applicants choose to have paperwork completed by an Immigration Representative, please refer to the IRCC website for information on making an informed choice.

Applicants

Please refer to the Guide 0118 – Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot before submitting your application. The guide can answer any questions you have regarding eligibility and gives step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application forms.

Employers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a community-driven immigration program designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities. RNIP creates a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in Northeast region long-term.
  • The goal of RNIP is to address persistent and emerging local labour market needs and support economic growth and development with the City of Timmins and surrounding region.
  • Employers participating in RNIP must carry on business within the boundaries of Timmins. Contact the TEDC for more information
  • Click here to see Timmins area boundaries.
  • Employers must meet the Timmins Regional RNIP employer eligibility listed above.  Contact the TEDC to determine your eligibility as an employer to participate in RNIP.
  • Job offers must meet IRCC federal eligibility
  • Complete the Employer Intake Form obtained from the TEDC.
  • Provide your employee or prospective employee with a completed IRCC Offer of Employment Form (IMM 5984). Note, some of the PDFs require you to download them, and open them in Adobe Reader.  If this is not done, an error message may appear.    
  • Employers can use RNIP if they have a current employee, an international candidate or if they are looking to hire.
  • Applicants must meet all candidate IRCC federal eligibility requirements and Timmins Regional RNIP community criteria requirements
  • IRCC eligibility requirements include minimum work experience, language, education, and financial requirements.
  • Community criteria requirements include priority occupations based on local labour market needs and intention to reside long-term in Timmins.
  • Total application processing time is approximately 14 months.
  • Community recommendation processing time at the TEDC is approximately 4-6 weeks.
  • Permanent residency processing time at the IRCC is approximately 12 months.
  • Employers can obtain a temporary work permit to have an international applicant arrive sooner. Depending on skill level and country of residence, this can take approximately 2-16 weeks.
  • Applicants who are already within Canada on a temporary open work permit can begin working right away.
  • For the standard process, there are no costs to the employer to use RNIP.
  • The RNIP work permit is employer-specific and requires the employer to pay a compliance fee through the IRCC. The employer compliance fee for the RNIP work permit is $230.
  • RNIP work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
  • The employer is NOT financially responsible for the employee.
  • By issuing an Offer of Employment through RNIP, an employer is committing to provide the employee with the job and duties, wage, number of hours and benefits listed on the Offer of Employment Form.
  • It is recommended that the employer support the employee’s integration into the workplace and community, in order to help them settle and stay long-term.
  • If an employee is working for you while their application for permanent residency is being processed, a workplace separation will result in their community recommendation being revoked and their application for permanent residency being withdrawn.
  • If an employee has already received permanent residency, a workplace separation will be like that of any other employee.
  • RNIP is a tool that can help employers who have been struggling to fill positions with Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • Newcomers have skills, training, and experience gained outside of Canada. They bring fresh perspectives, technical expertise, linguistic and cultural diversity, and global insight and interaction.
  • jobsintimmins.com, jobsinfarnortheast.com and Canada’s Job Bank are three websites that international applicants are being directed to in order to find relevant jobs in our community.
  • Virtual job fairs are becoming more commonplace due to COVID-19. They present valuable opportunities to connect with job seekers across the globe.
  • Hiring a recruiting company is an option. Talent Beyond Boundaries is a non-profit organization that connects employers with a pool of skilled candidates abroad.
  • Both the Timmins & District Multicultural Centre, Collège Boréal and Northeastern Ontario Settlement Services offer free settlement services and language training for newcomers in Timmins. They can help newcomers find suitable housing, connect them with important community services, answer any questions they may have about life in our region, and help them meet other people in the community.
  • The TEDC will connect recommended RNIP applicants with settlement services to help them transition and settle in our community.
  • The TEDC is here to support employers throughout RNIP. We can connect employers to various resources such as local settlement agencies, as well as training for cultural awareness, diversity and inclusive workplaces.
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