Hi Friends🖐️,

In today’s edition, we’ve got 3 key updates you definitely don’t want to miss:

1. Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) eligible occupations

2. British Columbia PNP will focus on healthcare, entrepreneurs and high economic impact candidates in 2025 

3. Tax Filing Deadline: April 30, 2025

4. Occupations That Can Help You Get PR in the Next 2 Years

So, why wait?

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And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected]

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) eligible occupations

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot offers permanent residence (PR) to skilled workers who want to work and settle in rural and more remote communities.

We chose 14 communities who showed they can support and benefit from skilled migrants. They will approve certain employers to hire for jobs that they can’t fill with local workers.

Ontario

North Bay, ON: The program is not yet live. The team is actively preparing for its launch. [March 12, 2025] Website is under construction—updates will be posted here. For eligibility and process details, visit the IRCC website.

Sudbury, ON: Program is in development and not yet accepting applications. Launch expected later this spring.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON: Below is a list of the city's priority sectors. For eligibility requirements, click here.

Thunder Bay, ON: The program has not yet launched. The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission CEDC team is preparing for its release—stay tuned for updates!

Timmins, ON: A list of eligible occupations has been released. To qualify, you must meet IRCC requirements and have a community recommendation letter. The list of designated employers and more program details will be updated here soon.

Priority Sectors:

• Health

• Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services

• Trades and Transport

• Natural Resources and Agriculture

• Business, Finance and Administration

Priority Occupations

• 11102 Financial advisor*

• 12200 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers

• 13100 Administrative officers*

• 22101 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians*

• 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers*

• 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

• 32101 Licensed practical nurses

• 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

• 32120 Medical laboratory technologists

• 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

• 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

• 42201 Social and community service workers

• 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants

• 44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations

• 72106 Welders and related machine operators

• 72201 Industrial electricians

• 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

• 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

• 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

• 73300 Transport truck drivers

• 73400 Heavy equipment operators

• 74203 Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers

• 75110 Construction trades helpers and labourers

• 83100 Underground production and development miners

• 95103 Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

*Occupation unique to RCIP

Excluded occupations under Trades and Transport: 14404 Dispatchers (employed with taxi companies) and 75200 Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs

Nova Scotia

Pictou County, NS: The program is in development, with training and planning underway. Launch date is yet to be determined. It will focus on priority sectors and in-demand occupations, with a limited number of PR recommendations to support sustainable growth.

Manitoba

Steinbach, MB: Steinbach has been approved to join the RCIP, aiming to address workforce shortages in Southeast Manitoba. The program launches in May 2025, starting with employer designation. The first intake is expected on June 1.

Priority sectors and 25 NOC codes will be shared in early May.

Altona/Rhineland, MB: We are working with IRCC to identify critical labour gaps and designate trusted employers and we will share details and timelines for employers and prospective PR candidates soon.

Brandon, MB: There are no designated employers yet. Once employers are designated, a list will be available on our website.

Saskatchewan

Moose Jaw, SK: No updates

Alberta

Claresholm, AB: The program has not yet launched. We are preparing for its release, and more details will be available soon. Stay tuned for updates.

British Columbia

There are no updates for all three communities as they are still in the development phase. Please check the respective community websites, or we will post updates here once available.

West Kootenay, BC

North Okanagan Shuswap, BC

Peace Liard, BC

BC PNP

In 2025, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) will focus on healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and high economic impact candidates due to a 50% reduction in nominations (4,000 total). Around 1,100 new applications will be accepted from priority groups, while 2,900 nominations will go to applicants already in the system.

Key updates:

• General and priority ITAs paused for 2025; about 100 high-impact candidates will be invited starting May.

• Entrepreneur stream will continue issuing ITAs.

• Health Authority stream eligibility tightened to direct healthcare roles (e.g., doctors, nurses).

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE) roles will be prioritized; ECE Assistants removed from targeted draws.

• New student streams paused, and waitlists introduced for some IPG applications.

• B.C. will work with the federal government to extend work permits and push for higher allocations.

Draws for BC PNP programs will remain limited in 2025, as only 1,100 new applications will be accepted.

More details are in the updated Skills Immigration Program Guide check here!

Tax Filing Deadline: April 30, 2025

The tax due date for most individuals in Canada is April 30, 2025. This is the deadline to both file your 2024 income tax return and pay any taxes owed to avoid late-filing penalties and interest.

Students can also take advantage of several benefits and credits when filing their taxes, including:

• Tuition Tax Credit – Claim eligible tuition fees to reduce the amount of tax owed. Unused amounts can be carried forward or transferred to a parent, grandparent, or spouse.

• Canada Training Credit (CTC) – Eligible students may claim up to $250 annually (up to a lifetime max of $5,000) to offset training costs.

• GST/HST Credit – A tax-free quarterly payment for low-income individuals, including many students.

• Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) – A refundable tax credit for low-income workers, which students may qualify for if they meet income and work requirements.

• Interest on Student Loans – Claim interest paid on eligible student loans as a non-refundable tax credit.

Filing your taxes, even if you have little or no income, can help you access these credits and future benefits.

Occupations That Can Help You Get PR in the Next 2 Years

On March 25, 2025, IRCC announced that candidates will no longer receive extra CRS points for arranged employment, including those with an LMIA-supported job offer. This change will likely lead to lower CRS cutoffs in upcoming draws.

At the same time, immigration draws have been paused, likely due to the upcoming federal election on Monday, April 28, 2025.

What This Means for You

Previously, many candidates boosted their CRS score by securing a valid job offer supported by an LMIA. With those points removed, the playing field is more level. Now, candidates with strong human capital factors—such as Canadian education, high IELTS scores, higher degree, and relevant work experience—will have a better chance even without a job offer.

If you have a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree and a high IELTS score (CLB 9 or above), you may still remain competitive in the Express Entry pool. However, the removal of LMIA points means overall CRS cutoffs could gradually decrease, creating more opportunities for skilled workers from abroad.

In-Demand Occupations (2025–2027)

Based on recent Express Entry category-based selections and provincial nominee trends, the following occupations are expected to remain in demand over the next two years:

Requirement:

• At least 6 months of continuous work experience in a category occupations (inside or outside Canada) within the last 3 years.

• Must meet general Express Entry eligibility (FSW, FST, or CEC).

• Meet the score in category based draw to get invited.

Scenario: Raj’s Plan to Improve His Chances for PR

Raj is working in Canada as a Department Manager at Walmart (NOC 60020). He has been working for the last 6 months, and to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), he needs a total of 1 year of experience. However, the CRS cutoffs for CEC candidates have been high recently, and he is worried about not receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Raj’s New Plan:
Raj is considering a new approach to increase his chances of obtaining permanent residency. Since the CRS cutoffs for CEC have been high, he plans to improve his eligibility by gaining additional experience in a trade occupation. Specifically, Raj is considering working as a welder (NOC 72106), which is a TEER 2 occupation.

How This Helps:
Raj will still remain eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) as his 6 months of work experience as a Department Manager (NOC 60020, TEER 2) qualifies under CEC. By gaining another 6 months of Canadian work experience as a welder (NOC 72106, TEER 2), he will complete 1 year of experience in eligible TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations under the Express Entry CEC program.

Raj also need to meets the language proficiency requirements and hold a valid work permit, ensuring that he continues to qualify for the CEC program.

Dual Eligibility:
By combining his experience as a Department Manager (NOC 60020) with his future welder role (NOC 72106), Raj will have the chance to be invited in both general CEC draws and category-based draws targeting trade occupations. This increases his chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency.

For full details of eligible occupations in different category based draws check here!

Find NOC Codes, Draws, and PR Pathways for Canada – Complete Guide!