Thunder Bay shares list of jobs that qualify for new PR program
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:
- Business & Finance – like accountants and office managers
- Healthcare – such as nurses, personal support workers, and medical techs
- Education, Law, Social & Government Services – think teachers, social workers, or legal assistants
- Sales & Service – such as retail supervisors or customer service roles
- Trades & Transport – including truck drivers, mechanics, and equipment operators
| Streams | Language proficiency | Work experience | Occupation(s) | Length of program required | PGWP required? | Other key criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream | N/A. | N/A. | NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 occupations. | If from an eligible Canadian institution: -Ontario institutions: 1-year certificate. -Non-Ontario institutions: 2-year undergraduate credential; or 1-year graduate credential. | No, but a work permit is. | Employer requirements: -At least 3 full-time employees; or, within the GTA, 5 full-time employees. -At least $500k annual revenue; or, within the GTA, $1 million annual revenue. |
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!
| Streams | Language proficiency | Work experience | Occupation(s) | Length of program required | PGWP required? | Other key criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Graduate Stream | CLB 7 in all language abilities. | N/A. | N/A. | 1 year. | No, but a work permit is unless you have maintained status. | -Must apply within 2 years after completing Master’s. -Have resided in Ontario for at least 1 of the past 2 years. -Must be residing in Ontario, or outside Canada. -Cannot apply while enrolled as a student.* |
| PhD Graduate Stream | N/A. | N/A. | N/A. | N/A. | No, but a work permit is unless you have maintained status. | Must apply within 2 years of completing PhD. |
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).
