Maple News reports that the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) for the Vernon-North Okanagan region is lowering some of its entry requirements starting December 1, aimed at making it easier for local employers to address workforce shortages.
Introduced in February 2020, the RNIP program was initially designed with cautious eligibility criteria to ensure the small community could manage demand. Since launch, Vernon-North Okanagan has received 21 applications, of which 19 have been approved. With community infrastructure now prepared for growth, officials are easing rules to attract more skilled foreign workers and support the region’s economic development.
A central change to the pilot involves lowering the minimum hourly wage requirement from $25 to $23. Additionally, applicants who have worked, studied, or lived in the community for at least six months may qualify even if their wage falls between $18 and $22.99, provided they score a minimum of 30 points on the community’s selection grid.
The points system, used to assess candidates’ integration potential and connection to the region, has also been updated. Those with six months of local work experience will now earn 15 points—up from 10. Similarly, candidates who have studied in the community for at least two years within the last five years will receive 10 points instead of six.
Connections through family are also being given more weight. Candidates will earn three points (up from two) for each adult immediate family member who has lived in the community for at least six months. The maximum number of family-related points has been increased to nine, up from eight.
However, not all changes are increases. Points for prior work experience outside the community have been reduced from a maximum of 15 to 10, emphasizing the importance of local ties. A minor incentive has also been added for younger applicants—those under 25 now receive three points for age, instead of two.
The RNIP is a federal initiative aimed at helping rural and remote Canadian communities attract and retain foreign workers to address labor market needs. It works through partnerships between local governments and the federal government to create pathways to permanent residency for skilled individuals who commit to living and working in these regions.
These recent amendments reflect Vernon-North Okanagan’s proactive steps to foster population growth while supporting employers struggling with talent shortages. As the program evolves, it signals increasing opportunities for internationally trained workers seeking permanent residency through community-based immigration pathways.