Manitoba Designated Employers and Rural Immigration Pilot 2025

For those who dream of settling in a quiet part of Canada, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP) is an excellent opportunity. Recently, Brandon and the community of Altona/Rhineland, in the province of Manitoba, unveiled their lists of designated employers under this program, which is good news for skilled foreign workers who wish to change their immigration status and achieve permanent residency.

Today we will learn about the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP), what the rural communities of Brandon and Altona/Rhineland offer to live and work permanently in Canada and how to make a successful immigration application. Let's get started!

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What is the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP)?

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The Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP) is a Canadian government initiative designed to attract skilled immigrants to rural and small communities, helping them to grow economically and meet their labour needs. 

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The RCIP primarily consists of participating communities recommending specific candidates for permanent residence based on their job offers and demonstration of a strong commitment to rootedness in that community. They do this through a designated employer, which is a Canadian company or institution approved by a provincial or territorial government to participate in the Regional Pilot Programs, such as the RCIP, and the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Unlike an ordinary employer, who may need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign workers, designated employers generally have a simplified process, as they have demonstrated to the province that they have genuine labour needs and can provide a suitable work environment for immigrants.

Below are the priority sectors and lists of designated employers in Brandon and Altona/Rhineland. These lists will be updated as more employers receive designation.

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Priority Sectors for the Rural Communities Pilot Immigration Program (RCIP)

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Priority sectors for labor occupations in these communities include:

• Education, law and social, community and governmental service.
• Sales and services.
• Trades and transportation.
• Natural resources and agriculture.
• Manufacturing and utilities.

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Brandon Designated Employers 

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• Brandon Clinic*: actively seeking family physicians and specialists. It is important to note that candidates must be licensed in Canada or in the process of becoming licensed.
• Gateway Mechanical Services Inc.
• Glendale Industries Limited.
• Keller Developments.
• Koch Fertilizers Canada ULC.
• Kumon Brandon.
• Maple Leaf Foods.
• Brandon Modular Industrial Structures (MISB).
• Prairie Mountain Health: Only the Brandon location is approved for this program. Candidates must work for PMH or be licensed to practice in Canada.
• Saputo Dairy Products Canada GP.
• The Wellness Clinic*: hiring for positions related to family physicians and allied health services, with a Canadian license requirement or in the process of obtaining one.
• Walsh Construction.

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Altona/Rhineland Designated Employers

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• Welding and fabrication by Elmer Ltd.
• Greenvalley Team (2009) Inc.
• Buffalo Creek Mills (2017) Inc.
• Kiddie Sunshine Center Inc.
• Metro, Altona.
• Pioneer Meats Ltd.
• Raw Materials ETG Inc.
• Access Credit Union Ltd.
• Friesens Corporation.
• Hotel Altona - List of designated employees in Altona/Rhineland

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Basic requirements to apply for RCIP

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The RCIP distinguishes itself as a migration pathway that is highly focused on the specific labor needs of the participating communities. 

Brandon, located in southwestern Manitoba, encompasses the city and surrounding areas, including Brandon Hills, Chater, Cornwalis and Riverdale, and is expanding settlement opportunities beyond the urban center.

Altona is a specific city within the rural municipality of Rhineland, located in the southern part of Manitoba, about 100 km from Winnipeg. 

Qualified foreign nationals who obtain a job offer from a designated employer in these communities can apply directly for permanent residence in Canada!

Interested parties must be certain that the job offer falls within the Brandon and Altonia/Rhineland priority occupations for the RCIP and must meet these requirements:

• Possess work experience related to the offer, or meet the criteria for exemption if an international graduate.
• Meet language proficiency requirements (English or French).
• Satisfy educational credential requirements.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover settlement expenses for you and your family in Canada.

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Candidates who are able to meet all of these criteria may receive a certificate of recommendation to apply directly to the federal government for permanent residence. In addition, in many cases, they may be able to obtain a work permit exempt from the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) while their application for permanent residence is being processed.

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Recommendations for a successful RCIP application 

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For an effective and successful application to the rural community immigration pilot, it is necessary to identify these designated employers beyond the general public listing, and to keep in mind that this designation is granted under specific programs and the list of employers may vary or be managed directly by the province/territory. 

To evaluate your immigration profile and find out if you are eligible to participate in the RCIP, follow these recommendations:

1. Investigate if the program aligns with your professional profile and language skills (English and French).
2. Visit regional economic development or provincial immigration websites to confirm designated employers.
3. Tailor your resume and cover letter for offers from these employers, highlighting how your profile fits the needs of the program.

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Why are designated employers important in your immigration process?

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Programs using designated employers are the primary tool for directing immigrants to where they are most needed in Canada, especially in rural and remote communities, or in industries with high labour demand.

For many applicants, securing a job offer from a designated employer can be a critical, and sometimes even more direct, step in their immigration transition process towards permanent residency. These programs often have specific requirements that, when met, facilitate provincial nomination and, therefore, application for permanent residence.

It is important to know that an offer from a designated employer usually exempts the candidate from the complex LMIA process, which speeds up times and simplifies the processing of the work permit.

In addition, these programs also seek to ensure that newcomers successfully establish themselves in the community. Designated employers often commit to providing integration support, such as help with housing or access to community services. 

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Do you have questions about the RCIP application process? At Immiland Canada, we can guide you through a regulated immigration consultant or a Canadian lawyer to prepare a successful application. If you would like a CICC consultant from Immiland Canada to handle your case, please contact us.

You can also request a free profile evaluation or schedule a consultation by clicking here.

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I hope this topic will be of great help for your migration plans. 

Thank you very much for reading! See you in the next blog!

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada