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ARTICLE · 18 MARCH 2025

Canada's New Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program

Grossman Young & Hammond
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On January 31, 2025, the government of Canada opened a new pathway to permanent residence for immigrants intending to live in rural communities in Canada.

United StatesImmigration
Grossman Young & Hammond
Grossman Young & Hammond

By Guest Contributor: Jacqueline Bart

On January 31, 2025, the government of Canada opened a new pathway to permanent residence for immigrants intending to live in rural communities in Canada. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship praised the new pilot program as a solution to labour shortages in rural Canada. The new pilot program replaces the previous Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program, which closed to intake in August 2024.

In order to be eligible to apply for the program, applicants must have an offer of employment from a designated employer in one of the participating rural communities.

There are currently fourteen (14) rural Canadian communities participating in the program:

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