Overview
- Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced Monday that the Rural Community Immigration Pilot will become a permanent program effective Jan. 1, 2027.
- The government set aside 5,500 permanent resident places for the program in 2027 under the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and signalled higher targets for 2028 and 2029.
- Admission still requires a community recommendation plus a job offer from an employer designated by the local economic development organization and applicants must meet language, work experience, education and settlement‑funds rules.
- Existing permanent‑residence applications filed under the pilot will continue to be processed and applicants with recommendations dated Jan. 1, 2027 or later must use new application forms and procedures.
- The program currently covers 14 communities across six provinces, the government plans to add more communities, and officials say the pathway has already helped fill roles in health care, education and sales and services while admitting over 1,500 newcomers during the pilot phase.