With effect from December 1, 2020, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot for Vernon-North Okanagan has eased a few criteria that help employers in the community lure more employees.
From the introduction of the pilot in February 2020 to December 2020, this pilot has accepted 19 applications out of 21 applications received.
When this RNIP program was first introduced, there were stringent criteria to ensure that the community was able to meet the potential demand. However, now these requirements have been tailed off to boost the economic growth of the local community.
What changes have been made?
There has been a decrease in the minimum wage permitted from $25 to $23 per hour, which will play a significant role for employers in attracting more employees.
Moreover, individuals who have their current wage between 18 to 22.9 dollars an hour and have been living, studying, or working in Canada for a minimum of six months are exempt from the above criteria. Also, as per the point system of the community, these candidates are required to score at least 30 points.
Furthermore, with these changes being effective, additional points have been rewarded to the candidates who have already studied or worked in the community. There has been a rise in points awarded to candidates who have at least six months of work experience in the community from 10 to 15. Also, if a candidate has studied for at least two years in the community in the last five years, then he or she is now eligible for 10 points, going up from 6 points.
Another considerable change is for candidates with immediate family in the community, as points were increased for them too. If candidates have an immediate adult family member who is living in the community for a minimum of six months, then the applicant can receive 3 points, going up from 2 for each such family member. Altogether, the total number of points has been increased to 9 from 8 for candidates with immediate family in the community.
On the other hand, there have been certain criteria of the community where points were deducted too. Applicants with work experience outside of the community are rewarded a maximum of 10 points, going down from 15. Furthermore, there were changes made for points awarded based on the age of the candidate. Per this change, only the applicants below the age of 22 years have benefitted, as they will receive three points, up from two.
Know the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
Canada has introduced the RNIP to promote small and remote communities and bring skilled foreign workers to these regions.
Vernon-North Okanagan, a small community in British Columbia, is one of the active participants in the list of 11 communities.
If you are willing to immigrate to Canada through an RNIP, then you must meet the federal eligibility requirements as well as the distinct criteria set by the community you are considering.
The federal criteria that determine a candidate’s eligibility are:
- Work experience
- Employment offer
- Language proficiency
- Education qualifications
- Availability of sufficient financial resources to settle in the community
If you wish to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, complete our free assessment form to check your eligibility. As soon as you submit the form, one of our expert immigration consultants will reach out to you with various pathways to Canada, depending upon your eligibility. Also, ensure to specify that you are looking for immigration to Canada through the RNIP.
