On June 12, 2025, West Kootenay (British Columbia) unveiled the priority sectors and 19 eligible occupations under its employer-led Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), offering selected candidates a direct pathway to permanent residency.
📍 RCIP Region Overview
The designated RCIP zone spans southeastern B.C.—from Rock Creek to Yahk, including Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kaslo, Nakusp, and nearby communities.
🔧 Priority Sectors Identified
- Health
- Education, law, social & community services
- Sales & service
- Trades, transport & equipment operators
- Manufacturing & utilities
Only job offers from designated employers in these sectors are accepted.
📋 Eligible Occupations (NOC & CLB Requirements)
RCIP approved 19 occupations, from accounting technicians to transport truck drivers, each requiring specific Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels (4–6). Select roles—like transport drivers—must have ≥75% work performed within the RCIP region.
🏢 Employer Recommendation Limits
To ensure fairness, RCIP restricts employer recommendations based on size:
- 1–65 employees: up to 3 candidate recommendations/year
- 66+ employees: up to 6 recommendations/year
✔️ Candidate Eligibility Criteria
- Full-time, permanent job offer in a priority occupation
- Minimum one year (1,560 hrs) of relevant experience
- Required CLB language level
- Canadian or assessed foreign educational credentials
- Sufficient settlement funds (unless already in Canada)
- Exception: Graduates from regional schools like Selkirk College may bypass work exp. requirement
🌟 How AARA Immigration Consultancy Can Help
- Confirm your NOC and eligibility for West Kooteny RCIP
- Assist employers with designation and job offer structuring
- Support your application—from community recommendation to PR
- Advise on work permit and settlement navigation post-nomination
Ready to make West Kootenay your new home? 📅 Book your free assessment with AARA Immigration today