Thunder Bay Launches Revamped Rural Community Immigration Pilot Stream for 2026

On this page you will find

• How the 2026 Thunder Bay RCIP works
• The full list of 2026 priority sectors
• The complete list of 25 priority occupations with restrictions
• Employer designation requirements
• Step-by-step application process
• Exclusions, caps and compliance rules

Thunder Bay has formally launched its 2026 Rural Community Immigration Pilot – RCIP – with updated priority sectors, a revised and tightly controlled occupation list and a structured, points-based ranking system.

The Thunder Bay RCIP remains employer driven. Only designated employers in the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area – CMA – can submit candidates for recommendation toward permanent residence. Foreign nationals cannot apply directly to the Community Economic Development Commission – CEDC – or to IRCC under this pilot.

The 2026 stream differs significantly from 2025. Priority sectors and priority occupations have changed, caps now apply to several NOC codes and strict compliance and fraud safeguards are in place.

RCIP Is Employer Driven

Under the 2026 Thunder Bay RCIP:

• Candidates do not apply directly to the CEDC or IRCC under the pilot
• Candidates must secure a full-time, permanent job offer from a designated employer
• Employers submit Recommendation Applications on behalf of candidates
• The CEDC maintains and publishes a list of designated employers

A job offer alone does not guarantee approval. All applications are ranked and assessed.

2026 Priority Sectors

To qualify for designation, employers must operate in at least one of the following six priority sectors:

• Business, Finance and Administration
• Health Occupations
• Education, Law, Social, Community and Government Services
• Sales and Service
• Trades, Transport and Equipment Operation and Related Fields
• Manufacturing and Utilities

Only employers operating within these sectors and offering roles in priority occupations may participate.

2026 Priority Occupations – Complete List of 25 NOCs

Employers must offer a full-time, permanent position in one of the following 25 priority occupations.

General Occupations:

• 11202 – Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
• 13102 – Payroll Administrator
• 13110 – Administrative Assistants – limit of 1 for employers with 1 – 50 full-time employees, limit of 2 for employers with 51 – 100 full-time employees
• 14100 – General Office Support Workers – limit of 1 for employers with 1 – 50 full-time employees, limit of 2 for employers with 51 – 100 full-time employees

Health and Community Occupations:

• 31301 – Registered Nurses
• 32101 – Licensed Practical Nurses
• 33102 – Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates
• 33100 – Dental Assistants and Dental Technicians
• 33103 – Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants
• 42201 – Social and Community Service Workers
• 42202 – Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
• 44101 – Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations

Security and Hospitality:

• 62029 – Security Supervisors – limit of 1 for employers with 1 – 50 full-time employees, limit of 2 for employers with 51 – 100 full-time employees. Candidates must have at least two years of security-related experience or two years of post-secondary education in law and security, police technology or a related field
• 63200 – Cooks – limit of 1 per employer – dine-in or full-service restaurants and hotels only
• 63202 – Bakers – limit of 1 per employer
• 64314 – Hotel Front Desk – limit of 2 per hotel
• 64100 – Retail Salespersons and Visual Merchandisers – limit of 1 for employers with 1 – 50 full-time employees, limit of 2 for employers with 51 – 100 full-time employees. Maximum 24 recommendations in 2026
• 64410 – Security Guards – limit of 1 for employers with 1 – 50 full-time employees, limit of 2 for employers with 51 – 100 full-time employees. Candidates must meet security experience or education requirements. Maximum 24 recommendations in 2026

Trades, Transport and Industrial Occupations:

• 72011 – Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunication Occupations
• 72400 – Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
• 72404 – Aircraft Mechanics and Inspectors
• 72410 – Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers
• 73300 – Transport Truck Drivers – short haul local drivers only – must provide last six months of electronic logbooks under CVOR requirements
• 75110 – Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
• 94120 – Sawmill Machine Operators

While these occupations are prioritized, submission of an application does not ensure approval.

Case-by-Case Exemptions

NOC codes within priority sectors that are not listed above may be considered only in limited circumstances:

• The role must fall within Tier 0 or Tier 1
• The candidate must have worked in the same role with the employer for at least six months
• Employers must contact immigration@thunderbay.ca for consideration

Occupation Limits and Caps

Several NOC codes are subject to:

• Per-employer limits
• Limits based on the number of full-time employees
• Overall maximum recommendations for 2026
• Additional experience, education or documentation requirements

Employers must carefully review restrictions before submitting applications.

Excluded Businesses

The following businesses are excluded from the 2026 Thunder Bay RCIP:

• Gas stations
• Convenience stores
• Fast-food establishments
• Counter-service restaurants
• Consulates
• Staffing or employment agencies
• Businesses owned by authorized immigration representatives
• Businesses controlled by the applicant or their spouse or common-law partner
• Employers referenced in paragraphs 200(3)(g.1) and (h) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

Employer Designation Requirements

To become designated, employers must:

• Operate continuously for at least two years within the Thunder Bay CMA
• Conduct at least 75 percent of business inside the CMA
• Operate in at least one priority occupation
• Complete free onboarding training
• Complete free intercultural competence training
• Agree to support settlement for candidates and accompanying family members
• Agree to public listing as a designated employer
• Be compliant under IRPA, IRPR and Ontario employment legislation
• Have no outstanding municipal penalties
• Not have misrepresented any material fact

Designation is free and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Fraud Alert

Thunder Bay has issued a strong warning to employers.

Engaging in dishonest practices – including charging for job offers, falsifying documents, abusive workplace conduct or withholding personal documents – may result in:

• De-designation
• Fines
• Blacklisting

Employers should verify immigration consultants through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants and lawyers through the Law Society of Ontario.

A Recommendation Certificate does not guarantee permanent residence. IRCC retains final decision-making authority.

FAQ