RCIP FAQ

Page contents:

• Employers' FAQ
• Skilled workers' FAQ
  • General FAQ
  • Questions frequently asked by skilled workers already in Brandon
  • Questions frequently asked by skilled workers in Canada but outside of Brandon
  • Questions frequently asked by skilled workers outside of Canada

Employers

1. What is RCIP?

• The RCIP is a new federal economic immigration pilot program that allows eligible Brandon businesses to hire a foreign worker from outside of Canada for eligible positions or to support an existing employee who is on temporary status to gain permanent residency.
• Approved foreign skilled workers and their dependent family members would be able to apply for permanent residency to live in Brandon permanently, allowing the foreign worker to have a stable life in Brandon and work with the Brandon business.

2. How does it work?

• Please review the comprehensive employer checklist available here.  

3. Are there any expenses for employers to participate in this program?

• RCIP is free for employers. There is no application fee. Employers do not cover travel or settlement costs for foreign workers. An optional $230 work permit compliance fee may be paid to IRCC if a work permit is needed for the skilled worker.

4. Can I use RCIP for a person that already works for me?

• Yes, you can use RCIP for current employees as long as your business, the position and the employee meet the program requirements. 

5. Our company participated in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). Will we automatically be designated under the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?

• While RNIP and RCIP share similarities, they are separate programs. All employers, including those previously designated under RNIP, must apply for designation under RCIP.

6. Our company previously received position approval under RNIP. Will that position automatically be approved under RCIP?

• No, employers must apply for a new position approval under RCIP.

7. Can I hire all of my staff via the RCIP program?

• The RCIP program is designed to complement hiring efforts and as such employers should not depend solely on the program for hiring.

8. Our business has been in Brandon for less than two years. Is there any exemption to the two-year operation requirement?

• IRCC requires businesses to have operated under the same management for the previous two years within program boundaries. The only exemption is for businesses relocating to the Brandon RCIP boundaries if they show continuous and active operation in another location for at least two years under the same management. They must also prove that the relocation significantly contributes to Brandon's economy. This exemption is evaluated on case-by-case basis. If your business is not eligible for RCIP, we recommend you consider other immigration pathways available here

Skilled Workers

General:

1. Has the Brandon RCIP started?

• Yes, the Brandon RCIP started accepting applications as of April 17, 2025.

2. How do I evaluate my eligibility to apply?

• Review IRCC’s eligibility requirements.
• Use EDB’s online self-assessment tool.

3. Can an employer or immigration consultant charge me a fee to access RCIP?

• An employer or an immigration consultant working on their behalf cannot ask for or accept any money or compensation from you for providing a job offer or an interview. As a candidate, you should not pay an employer for a job offer or interview. If an employer requests money for these services, please report this to us by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• If, as a candidate, you hire an immigration consultant or lawyer, they cannot charge you for a job offer or for fees outside of what is described in your contract. Learn about the use of a representative here.
• There are ways to report abuse and fraud (anonymously if desired) to IRCC and you can apply for a Vulnerable Open Work Permit. Additionally, if your employer is de-designated due to fraud or abuse in the RCIP program, your PR application will not be withdrawn but will be put on pause and you will have an opportunity to find a new job offer in Brandon to keep your PR application in process.

3. Where can I find a list of designated employers under the Brandon RCIP?

• The list of designated employers can be found here.

4. I am self employed, does my work experience count as qualifying work experience?

• According to section (2) (e) of the ministerial instruction for RCIP, the work experience must be acquired in the employ of a third party unless it was acquired as a medical practitioner entitled to practice medicine under the laws of the jurisdiction it was acquired.
• This means that "self employed" work experience can only counts as a qualifying work experience if it was gained in the medical field. This exemption is geared toward General Practitioners who are often considered self employed or contract employees.

5. Where can I look for jobs in Brandon?

There are several online resources to find jobs in Brandon. The following are general resources; the employers listed on these websites may not be designated under RCIP. Only Positions within Brandon, MB are eligible. 

• Construction Association of Rural Manitoba: Local listing of trade related jobs. 
• Health Careers Manitoba: Provincial level listing of specialized health care positions. Only positions in Brandon are eligible for RCIP.
• Prairie Mountain Health: Regional Health Authority job listing. Only positions in Brandon are eligible for RCIP.
• brandon-jobs.ca: Local Brandon based job portal.
• eBrandon:eBrandon is a popular local website for employment options.
• Brandon Sun: Brandon's daily newspaper.
• Canada Job Bank: National job bank.
• See more here. 

6. If my NOC code is not included in the priority occupation list, can I still apply to RCIP?

• Only occupations listed on the priority occupation list are eligible for RCIP. If your NOC code is similar/closely matches one of the listed NOCs, we recommend having your employer contact us for an evaluation to determine if it fits within either RCIP or BMPNPII.

7. How do I determine if I meet the Qualifying Work Experience requirement?

In order to have qualifying work experience,  

• All candidates, except for qualifying international graduates, require at least one year of full-time work experience within the last three years (or the equivalent in part-time work) at a TEER that qualifies them for the job offer.
• For immigration purposes, 1 year of full-time work experience is typically 30 hours/week for 12 months which is equal to 1,560 hours. You can also meet this requirement through an equal amount of part-time work, for example 15 hours/week for 24 months which is equal to 1,560 hours. 
• The work experience can be gained from multiple employers and from either within Canada or outside of Canada.
• The work experience must be relevant to the job offer. For example, you can not apply under a Nurse Aide position if your work experience is not at least 50% related to the Nurse Aide position.
• The work experience must meet IRCC TEER level table requirement.
• Only paid work experience is considered for RCIP; unpaid internships or volunteer experience are not considered qualifying work experience.

Please note that the required work hours must have been accumulated over at least 12 months and must be no older than 3 years from the date of your PR application with IRCC. Working overtime to quickly accumulate the 1,560 hours would not make you eligible for the work experience requirement. You need to have worked for at least 12 months and accumulated at least 1,560 hours of work experience within the last three years.

8. Can I apply for both RCIP and BMPNP II?

• A skilled worker cannot have an application in both programs.  

9. Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to be eligible for the program?

• RCIP does not require an LMIA approval.

10. Is any employer able to provide a job offer?

• No, only designated employers can hire through RCIP. However, you may first obtain a job offer, after which your employer can apply for designation.

11. I have an EOI with the MPNP program. Can I apply to RCIP?

• Yes, as long as you do not have an active application with MPNP. Submitting an EOI to MPNP is not considered an application. An application occurs when you submit your documents to MPNP after being invited to apply.

12. My child is 21 years old. If I apply for permanent residence through RCIP, when is their age “locked in” for eligibility as a dependent?

• The “lock-in date” refers to the date on which your child’s age is officially assessed for eligibility as a dependent under IRCC rules. For RCIP, this lock-in date is established by the our office , specifically, it is the date your complete and error-free Community Recommendation Application is received.
• If your child is under 22 years old and unmarried on that date, they will remain eligible as a dependent throughout the processing of your permanent residence application, even if they turn 22 before the application is finalized by IRCC.
• To ensure the lock-in date is established, all required documents must be submitted to our office using the RCIP Documents Checklist.

Questions frequently asked by skilled workers already in Brandon:

1. I am an international student/visitor visa holder, can I apply to RCIP?

• Yes, as long as you meet the program requirements.

2. Does work experience accumulated while working as an international student count toward the qualifying work experience requirement?

• Provided you adhered to the restrictions of your study permit, work experience gained while on a student permit can count towards the qualifying work experience, so long as the work experience meets the program's requirements.

3. I graduated from a 9 month post secondary certificate program in Brandon, am I eligible for the work experience exemption?

• No, you are not eligible for the work experience exemption.
• You don’t need to meet the work experience requirement if you’re an international student who graduated from a public post-secondary school in the community with

4. I am currently attending post-secondary education in Brandon; how do I meet the education requirement?

• Applicants who have not completed a Canadian post-secondary education from a recognized Designated Learning Institution must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized institution. The ECA must be no older than 5 years on the date of permanent residency application submission.
• For instance, if you are a post-secondary international student in Brandon and meet all other requirements (language proficiency, work experience, etc.), you may apply for an ECA for your high school diploma. You can then use the ECA and your high school diploma to satisfy the education requirement.

3. Who should I contact at my workplace to start the process?

• Organizations vary in their communication and leadership chains. It might be best to contact Human Resources or your direct manager. If unsure, ask your direct manager.

4. My job is casual, but I often work more than 30 hours a week, can I apply?

• No, the job offer must offer a guaranteed 30 hours per week. If the job offer does not guarantee the 30 hours per week, the position is not eligible.

5. My job in Brandon is a long-term contract of over 1 year, can I apply?

• No, positions must be full-time permanent, meaning a minimum of 30 hours per week with no end date.

6. My job falls under NOC 44101 Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and related occupations. Since it is similar to NOC 33102 Nurse Aides, can I apply to RCIP?

• Although both occupations share similarities, they are distinct. NOC 44101 is not listed as a priority occupation, and therefore, skilled workers in this occupation are not eligible to apply to RCIP under NOC 44101. However, skilled workers with NOC 44101 might be eligible to the BMPNPII.

7. What is the difference between NOC 44101 and NOC 33102?

8. I have two similar part-time jobs with the same employer in Brandon that total 30 hours per week. Can I apply to RCIP?

• To qualify for RCIP, you must have at least one single, full-time position that: offers a minimum of 30 guaranteed hours per week, is permanent (i.e., has no predetermined end date), and is clearly defined as a single job, not a combination of multiple part-time roles ; even if they are similar and with the same employer.
• However, it is acceptable if your full-time position involves working at multiple physical locations, as long as it is considered one continuous role under a single employment contract.

Questions frequently asked by skilled workers in Canada but outside of Brandon:

1. I currently hold an employer-specific (closed) work permit. Am I eligible to apply through the RCIP, and what is the process?
   Yes, individuals with legal status in Canada, including those on an employer-specific (closed) work permit, may be eligible to apply for a Community Recommendation under the Brandon Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), provided they meet all program requirements.

General Process Overview:

• Secure a Qualifying Job Offer: You must receive a valid job offer from a Brandon employer who is designated under the RCIP program.
• Employer Submits Application: Your employer will submit a Community Recommendation application on your behalf to the Brandon Economic Development office.
• Community Review: The Immigration Recommendation Committee will review your application. You may be invited for an interview to assess your suitability for the community.
• Receive Community Recommendation: If approved, you will receive a Community Recommendation Certificate (IMM 0249), which is required to apply for permanent residency (PR) through IRCC.
• Apply for Permanent Residency: Submit your PR application to IRCC using the recommendation certificate. This certificate is valid for 6 months, so timely submission is important.
• Apply for RCIP Closed Work Permit: To get you an RCIP Closed Work Permit, your Brandon employer can obtain an LMIA-exempt job offer number by paying a $230 compliance fee to IRCC. You can then apply for the RCIP-specific closed work permit, which allows you to work for your RCIP employer while your PR application is being processed. Your spouse may be eligible for a community-specific open work permit.
• Start Working: You may begin working with your RCIP employer only after receiving the RCIP closed work permit. Until then, you must wait, and your employer should be aware of this timeline.

Questions frequently asked by skilled workers outside of Canada:

1. Can Brandon Economic Development assist in securing a job offer? Can I email my resume?

• The Brandon Economic Development office generally does not provide job matching services. However, if you are a family physician (NOC code 31102) trained in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, or Australia, you can email your resume to us, and we will try to find you an employer in Brandon.

2. I am a Family Physician (GP). How can I immigrate to Brandon through RCIP?

• Family physicians are eligible to apply through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) like any other skilled occupation. One advantage for medical practitioners is that self-employed clinical experience may count toward the required work experience criteria.
• To secure employment in Brandon, most healthcare institutions require that international physicians are either fully licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) or are well advanced in the licensing process.
• It’s important to note that family physicians follow a distinct licensing pathway. Unless you were trained in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, or Australia, you will most likely need additional training or an assessment to practice medicine in Manitoba. These training opportunities are limited and highly competitive, so early preparation is essential.

3. Can medical residency experience be used to meet the RCIP work experience requirement?

• Yes. Medical residency can count as qualifying work experience under the RCIP program if the following conditions are met:
  • The work was paid
  • The job duties performed during the residency align with the National Occupation Classification (NOC) associated with the job offer
  • The duties meet the RCIP work experience criteria, regardless of whether the work was full-time or part of a training program

4. Does my work experience need to be acquired within Canada, or can it be from my home country?

• The work experience can be acquired in Canada or overseas.  If acquired in Canada, the candidate must have been authorized to work in Canada. However, regardless of the location of the work experience, applicants will be required to provide documentation to demonstrate that their work experience meets IRCC's qualifying work experience requirements.

5. Do applicants have to apply from outside the country?

• Applicants may apply from within Canada or outside of Canada.

6. Can I apply from any country?
   • Yes, there is no restriction based on country of origin or residence.
   • However, if you live outside of your home country, you must provide proof that you have legal status in your country of residence. For example, if you are an undocumented immigrant in the USA, you are not eligible to apply to RCIP. 

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Date modified: 2025-06-05