Sault Ste. Marie RCIP Employer Guide: Designation, Training & Hiring Foreign Workers for Permanent Residence

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is an employer-led program that allows businesses in Sault Ste. Marie to fill critical labour gaps by hiring skilled foreign workers and helping them obtain permanent residence in Canada.

This guide covers everything employers need to know:

• ✅ Step-by-step process to become a designated employer

• ✅ 2026 priority sectors and NOC codes

• ✅ Mandatory employer training requirements

• ✅ Intake dates and application limits

• ✅ How to submit a candidate recommendation

Key point: The RCIP is an employer‑driven pathway. Foreign workers cannot apply without a job offer from a designated employer. Employers who need workers should act now.

On This Page

• What Is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?

• 2026 Priority Sectors for Sault Ste. Marie

• Complete List of 2026 Priority NOC Codes

• Step-by-Step Process to Become a Designated Employer

• Mandatory Employer Training

• Intake Dates & Application Limits

• List of Designated Employers (2025 & 2026)

• Candidate Recommendation Process

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Official Resources

1. What Is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?

The RCIP is a federal immigration pathway that replaced the former Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). It helps rural communities like Sault Ste. Marie attract and retain skilled workers to address local labour shortages.

Key features of the RCIP:

Source: Sault Ste. Marie was selected as one of 14 communities across Canada to participate in the RCIP, announced January 31, 2025.

Foreign nationals must have a valid, full‑time, non‑seasonal job offer from a designated employer in Sault Ste. Marie and meet federal eligibility criteria (work experience, language proficiency, education, settlement funds).

2. 2026 Priority Sectors for Sault Ste. Marie

For 2026, Sault Ste. Marie has updated its priority sectors. Employers must operate within these sectors to be eligible for RCIP designation.

Important: The Sales and Service sector was removed for 2026 due to low retention rates and high turnover, as reported to IRCC.

Employers who have already employed or are currently hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) in a priority NOC can participate in the pilot.

3. Complete List of 2026 Priority NOC Codes

Below is the official list of 2026 priority occupations for Sault Ste. Marie’s RCIP, organized by sector. All NOC codes are based on the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

🏥 Health

👩‍🏫 Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services

💼 Business and Finance

🔧 Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators

🏭 Manufacturing and Utilities

🔬 Natural and Applied Sciences

Source: Official RCIP employer page

4. Step-by-Step Process to Become a Designated Employer

The RCIP is employer‑driven. Employers must first become designated by the local economic development organization (Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation) before they can hire foreign workers through the pilot.

Step 1: Confirm Your Sector & Occupation

Ensure your business operates within one of the six priority sectors and that the position you want to fill is on the 2026 priority NOC list.

Step 2: Complete Mandatory Training

Employers must complete two free online training courses (see Section 5 below).

Step 3: Submit Employer Designation Application

Download and complete the SSM-EN-RCIP Employer Designation Application Form. The form is available on the official website.

Submit your completed application to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation via email at: labourforce@cityssm.on.ca

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Processing takes approximately six weeks from the date a complete application is received.

Step 5: Receive Designation & Portal Access

Once approved, your business will be listed on the official designated employers page and granted access to the RCIP web portal to submit candidate recommendation applications.

Step 6: Hire a Foreign Worker

After designation, you can:

• Hire a foreign national already in Canada (on a valid work permit)

• Recruit a foreign worker from abroad

The candidate must meet all federal RCIP eligibility criteria (work experience, language, education, settlement funds).

Step 7: Submit Candidate Recommendation

Use the RCIP web portal to submit a recommendation application for your chosen candidate. The community will review and, if approved, issue a recommendation letter.

Step 8: Candidate Applies for Permanent Residence

With the community recommendation and a valid job offer, the foreign worker can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence.

5. Mandatory Employer Training

Employers must complete two free online training courses before submitting a designation application.

Training 1: IRCC Employer Onboarding Training

This course provides an overview of Canada’s immigration system and an understanding of the RCIP pilot. It is mandatory for all designated employers.

Training 2: Building Welcoming Workplaces (Intercultural Competency Training)

This training helps employers create inclusive workplaces for foreign workers. It is also mandatory.

Available in English and French:

• English: ARAISA | Building Welcoming Workplaces

• Français: ARAISA | Créer un environnement de travail accueillant

Note: Once designated, the employer will be listed on the official website and given access to the RCIP web portal.

6. Intake Dates & Application Limits (2026)

Employers must submit their designation applications during the designated intake windows. There is a limit of no more than 20 applications per employer.

2026 Intake Dates

Important: Applications submitted outside of these windows will not be accepted. Plan accordingly.

Employers should aim for the May or June intake window.

7. List of Designated Employers (2025 & 2026)

The following employers have been designated to participate in the RCIP. Note that not all are currently hiring, and many receive a high volume of inquiries. You should never pay anyone for a job offer or employment in Canada.

Partial list of designated employers:

For the full, up‑to‑date list, visit the official designated employers page.

Note: Designation is permanent – employers only need to be designated once. However, they must still be in a priority sector to submit applications in 2026.

8. Candidate Recommendation Process

Once an employer is designated and has identified a qualified foreign worker, they must submit a recommendation application through the RCIP web portal.

What the community looks for:

• Genuine job offer – The offer must be full‑time, non‑seasonal, and in a priority occupation.

• Labour market need – The position must be difficult to fill locally.

• Candidate qualifications – The candidate must meet federal RCIP criteria (work experience, language, education, settlement funds).

• Settlement plan – The candidate must intend to live and work in Sault Ste. Marie.

After recommendation:

The community issues a recommendation letter. The foreign worker then applies for permanent residence directly to IRCC.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between RCIP and RNIP?

The RCIP replaced the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) on January 31, 2025. The RCIP is more employer‑driven and has updated community priorities.

Q2: How long does it take to become a designated employer?

Processing takes approximately six weeks after submitting a complete application.

Q3: Can my business apply if we are not in a priority sector?

No. Only employers in the six priority sectors (Health, Education/Law/Social/Government, Business/Finance, Trades/Transport, Manufacturing/Utilities, Natural/Applied Sciences) can apply for designation.

Q4: What is the limit on Trade Helpers and Labourers (NOC 75119)?

There is a maximum of 50 Trade Helpers and Labourers per year under the RCIP.

Q5: How many RCIP spots are available for Sault Ste. Marie?

For 2025, Sault Ste. Marie was allocated 300 permanent residence spots. 2026 allocations have not yet been announced.

Q6: Can a foreign worker apply directly to IRCC without a job offer?

No. The RCIP is employer‑driven. A valid job offer from a designated employer is mandatory.

Q7: Do I need to pay any fees to become designated?

No. The RCIP employer designation process is free. There are no application fees.

Q8: Can I hire a foreign worker who is already in Canada on a work permit?

Yes. Employers can hire foreign nationals already in Canada (e.g., on a PGWP or closed work permit) as long as they meet RCIP criteria.

Q9: What if my desired occupation is not on the priority NOC list?

Only priority NOC occupations are eligible for RCIP in 2026. However, employers can contact the economic development office to inquire about case‑by‑case exceptions for other occupations within priority sectors.

Q10: Where can I find the official RCIP employer page?

The official page is: welcometossm.com/rcip_employer/

10. Official Resources

Final Bottom Line

Sault Ste. Marie’s RCIP offers a powerful tool for employers facing labour shortages. By becoming a designated employer, you can hire skilled foreign workers and help them obtain permanent residence in Canada.

Key steps to get started:

Deadlines: The next intake window is May 11–17, 2026. Submit your application early to secure your spot.

For further information, contact: labourforce@cityssm.on.ca