Pictou County Announces 2025 Immigration Priorities Under Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)
Pictou County, Nova Scotia – Pictou County has officially released its list of priority sectors and occupations for the 2025 intake under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). The announcement is expected to create new opportunities for skilled international workers seeking permanent residency in Canada.
The RCIP is a federal immigration initiative designed to support rural communities in attracting and retaining foreign talent to fill local labour market gaps.
About the RCIP
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot allows participating rural communities across Canada to directly recommend foreign nationals for permanent residence. Candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer in the community and meet eligibility criteria set by the pilot.
Pictou County’s Geographic Scope
Pictou County is located approximately two hours north of Halifax. The designated RCIP area includes:
- Pictou Landing First Nation
- The Municipality of Pictou County
- Towns of New Glasgow, Stellarton, Pictou, Trenton, and Westville
Priority Sectors for 2025
Only businesses operating within the following five sectors are eligible to apply for designation and hire under the RCIP:
- Business, finance, and administration
- Health
- Sales and service
- Trades, transport, and equipment operators
- Manufacturing
Approved Occupations for the 2025 Pilot
Foreign nationals must receive a job offer in one of the following occupations to be eligible under the pilot:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Automotive Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics | 72410 |
| Business Systems Specialists | 21221 |
| Carpenters | 72310 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Cybersecurity Specialists | 21220 |
| Data Scientists | 21211 |
| Database Analysts and Administrators | 21223 |
| Other Wood Processing Machine Operators | 94129 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 32124 |
| Pharmacy Assistants | 33103 |
| Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers | 73102 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Printing Press Operators | 73401 |
| Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers | 73200 |
| Restaurant and Food Service Managers | 60030 |
| Retail Sales Supervisors | 62010 |
| Roofers and Shinglers | 73110 |
| Rubber Processing Machine Operators | 94112 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | 72102 |
| Software Developers and Programmers | 21232 |
| Supervisors, Forest Products Processing | 92014 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Technicians | 72205 |
| Woodworking Machine Operators | 94124 |
Capped Occupations
The following occupations are subject to a cap of 10 percent of the total RCIP allocation for Pictou County in 2025:
- Cooks (63200)
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers (60030)
- Retail Sales Supervisors (62010)
2025 Allocation and Application Process
Pictou County has been allocated 60 RCIP spots for the year 2025.
Application Timeline:
- Employers can submit recommendation applications from the 1st to the 15th of each month.
- In December, the submission window ends on the 10th.
Application Steps:
- Employer becomes designated in a priority sector
- Foreign national receives a valid job offer in a priority occupation
- Employer submits a Recommendation Application to the Pictou County Partnership
- If approved, the candidate receives a community recommendation
- The candidate can then apply for permanent residency and a work permit (if needed) through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Pictou County RCIP stream, foreign nationals must:
- Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of work experience in a related occupation within the past three years, or meet the international graduate exemption
- Meet language proficiency requirements (based on NOC skill level)
- Hold a Canadian educational credential or an equivalent foreign qualification
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family during settlement
A Strategic Approach to Local Labour Gaps
This program aims to provide long-term solutions to regional workforce shortages by enabling employers to recruit foreign workers for roles that have proven difficult to fill locally. At the same time, it offers newcomers a chance to build stable lives in a welcoming, community-driven environment.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
