The city of Steinbach in Manitoba has officially launched its own immigration stream under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). This program is designed to help foreign workers get permanent residence (PR) by working in one of Steinbach’s priority sectors through a job offer from a designated local employer.
Steinbach is Manitoba’s third-largest city and this new immigration pathway includes surrounding areas like the rural municipalities of Ste. Anne, Piney, La Broquerie, and the towns of Landmark and Vita.
If you’re a foreign worker looking to settle in a welcoming, growing community in Canada, Steinbach’s RCIP could be your gateway — especially if your job falls under one of the approved occupations listed below.
How the Steinbach RCIP Works
This is an employer-driven program, which means you need a valid job offer from an approved employer in Steinbach to apply. The employer must be operating in one of the city’s priority sectors, and your job offer must match one of the approved occupations under Steinbach’s list.
Once you get the job offer, and if you meet the program’s other requirements (like education, language, experience, and settlement funds), the local development office — called Steinbach Economic Development (SED) — will issue a certificate of recommendation. You can then use this to apply directly for PR with the federal government.
Priority Sectors in Steinbach
Each community in the RCIP can select up to five sectors that are important for local development. Steinbach has chosen:
- Health
- Education, Law and Community Services
- Sales and Service
- Trades and Transport
- Manufacturing and Utilities
Priority Occupations in Steinbach
To be eligible, your job offer must match one of the following roles and NOC (National Occupation Classification) codes:
| Occupation Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Agriculture representatives, consultants and specialists | 21112 |
| Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers | 72410 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 |
| Construction managers | 70010 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 |
| Drafting technologists and technicians | 22212 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 |
| Food service supervisors (excluding fast food restaurants) | 62020 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 |
| Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 |
| Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 |
| Lawyers and Quebec notaries | 41101 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Massage therapists | 32201 |
| Nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
| Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations | 11202 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 60020 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 |
Application and Recommendation Rules
- The intake period opens on the 1st of each month and closes on the 15th, or earlier if 7 applications are received.
- SED will issue a maximum of 5 recommendations per month, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Each NOC code can receive only 1 recommendation per month, and only 2 per year.
- Exceptions: These NOC codes are not limited by the above rule: 31102, 31301, 32101, and 33102 (which relate to healthcare roles).
Important Reminders
- Employers must belong to one of the priority sectors to participate.
- The job offer must match one of the approved NOC codes.
- The Food Service Supervisor role does not include fast food jobs.
- Applicants still need to meet standard immigration requirements:
- Work experience in the same job field
- English or French language test results
- Educational credentials
- Proof of settlement funds
If you meet all these conditions and receive a recommendation certificate, you can move ahead and apply for permanent residence through IRCC.
1. What makes Steinbach’s RCIP different from other immigration pathways?
It’s community-based and employer-led, meaning the city decides which jobs are needed most. You need a job offer from a designated local employer in a priority sector.
2. Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
No. One of the biggest advantages is that RCIP doesn’t require an LMIA, which usually makes hiring foreign workers slower and harder for employers.
3. How many people can apply each month?
Only 7 applications are accepted each month, and just 1 per job type (NOC code). This means it’s important to act quickly when the intake opens on the 1st of each month.
4. Can I apply without a job offer?
No. You must have a job offer from a designated employer in Steinbach in order to apply.
5. What are the chances for healthcare workers?
Very good. Roles like registered nurses, practical nurses, and care aides are not limited by monthly or yearly caps, which gives healthcare workers more opportunities to get selected.
6. What if I work in a fast food restaurant?
You won’t qualify under the Food Service Supervisor category. The RCIP for Steinbach excludes fast food jobs from eligibility.
Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!
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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.