Ontario Introduces Pilot for Skilled Immigration in Rural Regions

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program, aimed at addressing labor shortages in four rural and northern regions: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. Running from January 2 to December 31, 2025, the program will bring up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to Ontario.

Program Details
The REDI pilot processes applications through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams, allocating 200 additional nominations per region. It targets critical sectors like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades to support local economic growth. Approved candidates will receive a provincial nomination, which they can use to apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must meet the criteria for one of the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams, including having a full-time, permanent job offer from a business in one of the targeted regions. They must also intend to reside in Ontario and meet licensing or authorization requirements for regulated occupations.

Each stream—Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills—has specific criteria regarding job offers, education, work experience, and wages. For detailed requirements, including eligible occupations and wage thresholds, candidates can consult Ontario’s Job Bank and the OINP’s website.

Background and Objectives
Building on the success of the 2020 Regional Pilot, which addressed labor shortages in Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, and Belleville/Quinte West, the REDI program aims to enhance Ontario’s GDP by up to $100 billion over five years by matching skilled newcomers with their trained professions.

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