Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has officially unveiled its list of 25 priority occupations eligible for permanent residency under the 2025 Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), which replaces the former Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). This initiative aims to attract skilled workers to support the city’s economic growth and address labor shortages.
Priority Occupations for 2025
The RCIP targets a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, engineering, trades, social services, and hospitality. Below is the complete list of eligible occupations along with their corresponding National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes:
| NOC Code | Occupation Name |
| 21301 | Mechanical engineers |
| 21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 22212 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
| 22301 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 44101 | Personal support workers |
| 41301 | Therapists in counseling and related specialized areas |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 72010 | Contractors and supervisors in machining, metal forming, shaping, and erecting trades |
| 72011 | Contractors and supervisors in electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
| 72014 | Contractors and supervisors in other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 73301 | Transit operators |
| 72100 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 72404 | Aircraft instruments, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians, and inspectors |
| 62020 | Food service supervisors (Hotels and dine-in restaurants only, cap of 10, max 2 per employer) |
| 62022 | Guest service supervisors (Hotels only, cap of 10) |
| 62029 | Security guard supervisors (Cap of 20) |
| 75119 | Trade helpers and laborers |
| 94107 | Production workers |
2025 Application Intake Periods
Applications for the RCIP in Sault Ste. Marie will be accepted during the following two-week periods:
– April 27 – May 10
– May 25 – June 7
– June 22 – July 5
– July 20 – August 2
– August 17 – August 30
– September 14 – September 27
– October 12 – October 25
– November 9 – November 22
Each intake window provides applicants with ample time to prepare and submit their applications.
Eligibility Criteria for the RCIP in Sault Ste. Marie
To qualify for the RCIP, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Valid Job Offer
Secure a full-time, non-seasonal, indeterminate job offer from a designated employer within Sault Ste. Marie.
The job must be in one of the 25 priority occupations and offer at least 30 paid hours per week.
Work Experience
Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past three years.
The experience must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category of the job offer.
Language Proficiency
Demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking an approved language test.
The required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level depends on the TEER category of the job:
TEER 0 or 1: CLB 6
TEER 2 or 3: CLB 5
TEER 4 or 5: CLB 4
Education
Possess a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential validated by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Settlement Funds
Provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members during the transition to the community.
Community Recommendation
Obtain a recommendation from the Sault Ste. Marie community, which assesses factors such as the validity of the job offer, alignment with priority sectors, work experience, and ties to the community.
International Students
Graduates from a public post-secondary institution in Sault Ste. Marie may be exempt from the work experience requirement if they meet specific criteria, including program length and residency during studies.
Sault Ste. Marie has been allocated 300 spots under the RCIP for 2025. The program is managed by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and aims to strengthen the local workforce by providing businesses with greater capacity to recruit and retain skilled talent.
