If you’ve ever dreamed of living in one of British Columbia’s most beautiful and welcoming regions, 2025 might be your year. The North Okanagan-Shuswap community has officially announced its priority sectors and occupations under the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), offering fresh pathways to permanent residency (PR) for eligible foreign nationals. With targeted sectors, set intake windows, and clear minimum wage requirements, this announcement brings fresh hope to skilled professionals looking to make Canada their home.
Priority Sectors and Occupations Under North Okanagan-Shuswap RCIP
The RCIP allows communities to prioritize specific industries where there are labor shortages. North Okanagan-Shuswap has selected the following sectors:
- Health
- Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services
- Sales and Service
- Trades and Transport
- Manufacturing and Utilities
Within these sectors, eligible occupations include:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics | 72410 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 60030 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
Minimum Wage and Employer Recommendation Caps
- Minimum wage for Restaurant and Food Service Managers, Accommodation Service Managers, and Executive Housekeepers: $25/hour
- Minimum wage for all other occupations: $22/hour
Certain occupations have recommendation caps per employer:
- Accommodation service managers: 2
- Construction trades helpers and labourers: 10
- Restaurant and food service managers: 2
Additionally, subsectors like fast food and gasoline stations have their own recommendation caps.
Intake Windows and Employer Designations for 2025
For job seekers, timing is critical. Here are the designated intake windows:
- May 12 to May 26
- July 7 to July 21
- August 25 to September 8
- October 13 to October 27
- November 24 to December 8
Employers must first be designated by a community economic development organization. Employer designation opens on May 1, 2025.
Why Priority Sectors and Occupations Matter in RCIP
For a job offer to qualify under the RCIP, two conditions must be met:
- The occupation must fall within the listed NOC codes.
- The employer must belong to one of the selected priority sectors.
This ensures that immigration efforts target the most pressing labor market needs.
Even if your occupation is eligible, you must check that your employer’s industry aligns with the priority sectors.
Eligible Communities in North Okanagan-Shuswap
The RCIP program covers a wide geographic area, including:
| Vernon | Armstrong |
| Salmon Arm | Coldstream |
| Enderby | Lumby |
| Sicamous | Sorrento |
About the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
Launched on January 30, 2025, the RCIP is a federal initiative aiming to help rural communities attract and retain skilled foreign workers.
Key features:
- Job offer required from a designated employer.
- 14 communities participating across Canada.
- Designed to last for 5 years.
The RCIP is modeled after successful programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program and could evolve into a permanent immigration stream if successful.
RCIP Brings Fresh Pathways for Immigration to North Okanagan-Shuswap
For skilled workers, the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in North Okanagan-Shuswap creates an exciting, structured pathway to Canadian permanent residency. With priority sectors identified and multiple intake windows throughout 2025, now is the time to prepare your application and secure a qualifying job offer.
Stay tuned to ImmigCanada for updates and expert guidance on making the most of opportunities like the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)!
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