Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Launches Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) with Priority Sectors and Occupations
The city of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, has officially unveiled its participation in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), releasing a list of priority sectors and occupations eligible under the program. With this announcement, Moose Jaw becomes the final community among 14 across Canada to launch its version of the program.
The RCIP is an employer-driven immigration pathway designed to help rural employers fill labour market shortages while offering foreign nationals a route to permanent residence (PR).
To qualify, applicants must:
Have a job offer from a designated employer;
Work in a priority sector and eligible occupation (NOC code);
Be recommended by the local economic development organization;
Meet all other program eligibility requirements.
Moose Jaw’s Priority Sectors for RCIP
According to the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, the following sectors are prioritized:
Business, finance, and administration
Sales and service
Trades and transport
Manufacturing and utilities
Education, law, social, community, and government services
Sector restrictions
Moose Jaw has introduced specific limits and exclusions:
Gas stations (excluding truck stops) are not eligible
Convenience stores are not eligible
IT/Web development is not eligible
Food service businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are limited to one community recommendation per year (across all NOC codes)
Financial institutions with fewer than 10 full-time employees are limited to one recommendation per year
Transport companies with fewer than 10 full-time employees are limited to one recommendation per year
TEER 5 applicants: capped at 25% of all applications per year, with a maximum of 3 per intake period per employer
Moose Jaw’s Priority Occupations (RCIP Eligible NOC Codes)
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Administrative officers | 13100 |
| Agricultural and fish products inspectors | 22111 |
| Automotive & heavy truck/equipment parts installers & servicers | 74203 |
| Automotive service technicians, mechanical repairers | 72410 |
| Banking, insurance, and financial clerks | 14201 |
| Carpenters | 72310 |
| Construction trades helpers and labourers | 75110 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 |
| Estheticians, electrologists, and related occupations | 63211 |
| Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and support | 65201 |
| Food service supervisors | 62020 |
| General building maintenance workers & superintendents | 73201 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 |
| Home support workers, caregivers | 44101 |
| Hotel front desk clerks | 64314 |
| Janitors, caretakers, heavy duty cleaners | 65312 |
| Light duty cleaners | 65310 |
| Material handlers | 75101 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates | 33102 |
| Retail salespersons, visual merchandisers | 64100 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
| Supervisors, food & beverage processing | 92012 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 |
👉 Moose Jaw has not yet published its official list of designated employers.
Why Priority Sectors and Occupations Matter
Only candidates working in both a priority sector and priority occupation are eligible for community recommendation under Moose Jaw’s RCIP.
For example:
If someone works in an eligible occupation but for an employer outside the priority sector, they do not qualify.
The employer must also be designated by the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce.
General Eligibility Requirements for Moose Jaw RCIP
In addition to a valid job offer, candidates must:
Have at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past 3 years, OR be a recent graduate of a post-secondary institution in Moose Jaw.
Meet minimum language requirements (CLB 4–6 depending on occupation) with a valid test (IELTS, CELPIP, etc.) taken in the last 2 years.
Hold a Canadian secondary school diploma or higher, or a recognized foreign equivalent.
Show proof of sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family.
Application Process
Employer submits a recommendation to the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce during an intake period.
The Chamber reviews whether the job offer and candidate meet RCIP requirements.
If approved, the candidate receives a community recommendation.
With the recommendation, the candidate applies to the federal government for permanent residence under the RCIP.
Candidates may also be eligible for a work permit to start working in Moose Jaw while waiting for PR processing.