Sudbury, Ontario held it’s first-ever rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) draw on April 23, inviting candidates to apply for a community recommendation for Canadian permanent residence. Sudbury is one of three Ontario communities that recently launched their Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program 

Sudbury is the largest city in Northern Ontario with a population of nearly 165,000. The local economy is lead by mining, finance, tourism and other industries. It is home to Laurentian University and Cambrian College.  In 2019, 265 immigrants made Sudbury their new home. 

Each of the 11 communities participating in the RNIP has its own method of selecting immigration candidates. Sudbury uses a points-based system, much like many provincial nominee programs, or the federal Express Entry system

The Sudbury RNIP selects the highest-ranking candidates from the pool of applicants and invites them to apply for a community recommendation.

 On April 23, Sudbury issued six invitations to eligible candidates who had a minimum score of at least 280. 

Sudbury’s program was launched on March 23. The program is for foreigners and their families who want to live in Sudbury long-term. Candidates must have secured an offer of employment in an eligible occupation in an eligible industry. 

Despite Canada’s temporary travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Sudbury RNIP is still accepting applications from abroad for those with job offers in the mining supply and services sector as well as the tourism sector. The processing time for permanent residency under the RNIP is 12 to 18 months, and a spokesperson told CIC News they hope the travel restrictions will be eased by then.

Sudbury is one of three Ontario communities to have recently opened applications to its Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program. Timmins and Thunder Bay have also begun accepting applications.

 There are now only three RNIP communities not accepting applications at this time:

• Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
• North Bay, Ontario
• West Kootenay, B.C.

 Is the Sudbury RNIP good for you?

One of the most important pieces to know about the RNIP is that it is for individuals and families who want to live in Sudbury long-term,” Lynn Despatie with the City of Greater Sudbury, said in an email. “It is not an easy pathway to permanent residency. It’s challenging to get a community recommendation and lengthier than gaining permanent residency through Express Entry.” 

Unlike the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Canada’s Express Entry system, the Sudbury RNIP awards candidates more points after age 30 and before age 45. 

Candidates get more points with age because the RNIP is meant to address local labour shortages. Generally speaking, Sudbury is short on individuals with 10 to 15 years of work experience.

“Express Entry currently prioritizes individuals under 30, we also want candidates to look at Express Entry before accessing the Sudbury RNIP,” Despatie said. 

Candidates who are sure that Sudbury is right for them, may then start looking for a job in one of over 20 eligible occupations.

Once the job is secured, candidates may then apply through the RNIP. Their application will be reviewed by the committee and, if successful, they will be issued a community recommendation to apply for permanent residence.