The Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP offers an opportunity for skilled foreign workers in chosen occupations to live and work in certain chosen communities in Canada. The Sudbury, Ontario RNIP offers the opportunity for immigration to this expansive city in Northern Ontario.
Sudbury is located from the stretch of the Quebec border to Lake Superior’s eastern shore. Sudbury’s location is strategic and it is the largest municipality in Ontario and holds the title of one of the largest municipalities across Canada. It has a population of 171,000 residents.
Sudbury is a growing area and is home to several thriving industries that reflect its expansion.
These industries include:
- Business and Professional Services
- Cleantech and Environmental
- Film and Creative Industries
- Health Care and Life Sciences
- Manufacturing and Industry
- Mining Supply and Services
- Research and Innovation
- Tourism
Am I eligible for the Sudbury RNIP?
To find out whether you are eligible for the Sudbury RNIP, you must first Make sure you meet all the federal requirements to qualify for the RNIP.
All of the Sudbury RNIP decisions are made based on market demands. The committee making the decision about your application will consider:
- Whether you will be able to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
- Build lasting relationships with existing members of the community.
The IRCC has approved a specific number of RNIP recommendations that Sudbury is authorized to grant.
The Sudbury RNIP system works on a system of RNIP draws.
What are Sudbury RNIP draws and what categories exist under them?
Much like the Express Entry draw system, the Sudbury RNIP draw positions candidates based on a score system that assesses candidates for whether they meet certain requirements.
The score that you will be compared based on is given to you once you finish your application to the program through the RNIP portal.
If you are applying to the RNIP, there are three potential streams you may be able to apply for, depending on your eligibility.
These streams are divided by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) category that you have work experience in.
The Conventional Stream:
This stream is for all applicants with work experience specific occupations. The below table is sourced from investsudbury.ca and provides a list of all the occupations included under this stream.
| NOC Code | Occupation Name |
| 0 / all TEER 0 occupations | Management Occupations Except those working for the fast-food or retail sector (NAIC 44-45, and 722512, or related sectors, which may be determined at the Committee’s sole discretion) |
| 1 | Business, finance and administration occupations Except those working for the fast-food or retail sector (NAIC 44-45, and 722512, or related sectors, which may be determined at the Committee’s sole discretion) |
| 2 | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
| 31 | Professional occupations in health |
| 32 | Technical occupations in health |
| 33 | Assisting occupations in support of health services |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 42203 | Instructors of persons with disabilities |
| 44101 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
| 62200 | Chefs Except those working for the fast-food sector (NAIC 722512, or related sectors, which may be determined at the Committee’s sole discretion (See ‘Limited Stream’ below) |
| 63201 | Butchers – retail and wholesale |
| 65202 | Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
| 63202 | Bakers Except those working for the fast-food sector (NAIC 722512, or related sectors, which may be determined at the Committee’s sole discretion (See ‘Limited Stream’ below) |
| 62021 | Executive housekeepers |
| 62022 | Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors |
| 62023 | Customer and information services supervisors |
| 62024 | Cleaning supervisors |
| 63210 | Hairstylists and barbers |
| 7 | Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations **For all drivers, chauffeurs, couriers, and operators – local drivers only, long-haul drivers are ineligible. As per the IRCC, only those working within the community boundaries are eligible, therefore, long-haul drivers are ineligible for the RNIP program. |
| 8 | Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations |
| 9 | Occupations in manufacturing and utilities |
Limited stream:
This stream has a cap of 24 candidates per year.
Who is eligible?
- Any NOC that is not listed above and receives under $20 per hour as pay.
- Any of the following NOCs:
- (62010) Retail sales supervisors,
- (62020) Food service supervisors,
- (64100) Retail salespersons and visual merchandiser,
- (64300) Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts/hostesses,
- (64301) Bartenders, (65200) Food and beverage servers,
- (65100) Cashiers,
- (65102) Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers,
- (65201) Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations,
-
- Cooks.
- All fast-food and retail workers who may not qualify under the conventional stream.
If you are applying from outside the country:
- You are only eligible if you have a job offer in a priority industry.
- The priority industry list is visible when applications are open through the RNIP portal.
The committee that makes the selections for the program may make discretionary decisions and exceptions to any of the above categories.
What is the process for receiving a community recommendation for the Sudbury RNIP?
- Once you meet the federal requirements, you must make sure that you are able to demonstrate your willingness and intention to reside within Sudbury permanently.
- You must have a job offer from an employer in Sudbury in an eligible occupation. Long haul truck drivers are not eligible for the program.
- Collect your documentation for:
- Language requirements, with results for the IELTS, CELPIP, TEF or TCF tests.
- Education credentials.
- Work experience proof.
- A job offer.
- Proof of residence for all the months that you have claimed on your application.
- Once you have secured your job offer, you must submit your application through the RNIP survey portal.
- You may be requested to undergo an interview after this stage.
- Subject to approval from the committee and an IRCC review, you may proceed to apply for permanent residency and, if needed, a RNIP-specific work permit.
