Thunder Bay shares list of jobs that qualify for new PR program

April 29, 2025

Ishita Soni

A New Opportunity in Thunder Bay

Exciting news for newcomers! The city of Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada, is offering Permanent Residence (PR) upon arrival to eligible foreign workers through a special program called the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) – sometimes also referred to locally as the RCIP.

What Is the RCIP and How Does It Work?

To put it simply, the RCIP is a pathway for foreign workers to become permanent residents – but only if they:

• Have a job offer from an approved employer in Thunder Bay, and
• Work in specific, high-demand occupations.

This program helps smaller communities like Thunder Bay attract skilled workers to fill labour shortages.

Jobs That Qualify for PR Under the Program

So, which jobs are in demand? Thunder Bay’s local economic body – the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) – is focusing on recruiting for five main job sectors:

1. Business & Finance – like accountants and office managers
2. Healthcare – such as nurses, personal support workers, and medical techs
3. Education, Law, Social & Government Services – think teachers, social workers, or legal assistants
4. Sales & Service – such as retail supervisors or customer service roles
5. Trades & Transport – including truck drivers, mechanics, and equipment operators

Who Can Hire You? (Not Just Any Employer)

Here’s the catch: not every employer can hire under this program.

Only designated employers, approved by the community and partnered with Canada’s immigration department (IRCC), can make a job offer that qualifies for this immigration stream.

As of now, Thunder Bay has not yet listed these employers, but they are expected to share more details in 2025.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility at a Glance)

You may qualify for this program if you meet all of the following:

• Have a valid job offer from a designated employer in Thunder Bay
• Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the past 3 years (about 1,560 hours)
• Show language skills through an approved English or French test
• Have a Canadian education or an equivalent foreign credential
• Show you have enough money to support yourself and your family

In short, you need to prove you’re ready to work, speak the language, and settle successfully.

Important: You Can’t Apply Directly

Here’s something important: You can’t apply to the community yourself.

Instead, the employer must apply on your behalf to the Thunder Bay CEDC to get a community recommendation. Only after receiving this recommendation can you apply for PR with the federal government.

A Note About Work Experience Requirements

Your past job experience must:

• Match the TEER level (skill level) of the job you’ve been offered
• Include key duties listed in Canada’s official job descriptions (NOC codes)
• Cover most of the responsibilities expected in that type of work

However, special rules may apply to healthcare workers and international graduates from schools in Thunder Bay!

What’s Next?

Thunder Bay is still finalizing the list of designated employers. But if you’re in one of the eligible job fields, now is a great time to prepare your documents, improve your English or French, and explore job opportunities in Thunder Bay.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).

Get In Touch