West Kootenay, a community located in south eastern British Columbia, has revealed its list of designated employers for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP).
West Kootenay’s RCIP designated area’s southern boundary runs along the US border from Rock Creek on the West to Yahk on the East. It’s northwestern boundary extends to the area around Hughes Peak and its northeast boundary to the area around Duncan Lake.
Assess your eligibility for the RCIP
Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kaslo, and Nakusp, are among the communities within this area.
The RCIP is an employer-focused pathway to permanent residency in Canada. To be eligible, a foreign national must have a job offer from a designated employer, and the job offer must be endorsed by a local economic development organization.
The foreign national must also meet the RCIP’s other eligibility criteria.
West Kootenay RCIP-designated employers
| Sector | Designated Employer |
| Health | Ancron Medical Services, Nelson |
| CareCorp (Mountain Lake Village), Nelson | |
| Castleview Care Centre, Castlegar | |
| Misha Zibin Society, Grand Forks | |
| Trail Association for Community Living | |
| Education, Law, Social, Community & Government Services | Blueberry Creek Community School, Castlegar |
| Brent Kennedy Learning Centre, South Slocan | |
| Community Connections Support Services, Trail/Nelson | |
| Four Winds Daycare | |
| Golden Bears Children’s Centre, Rossland | |
| Growing Steps Academy, Trail | |
| Kootenay Employment Services – Creston office | |
| Kootenay Family Place, Castlegar | |
| Kootenay Society for Community Living, Castlegar | |
| Silly Monkeys Childcare, Castlegar | |
| Songbird Early Learning Centre, Nelson | |
| Sunningdale Childcare Centre, Trail | |
| The Schoolhouse ECLC, Nelson | |
| Accommodation, Food Services, Retail & Other Services | 0807658 BC Ltd |
| 0081392 BC Ltd | |
| The Adventure Hotel, Nelson | |
| Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, Ainsworth | |
| Amanda’s Restaurant, Nelson | |
| Ashley Furniture, Trail | |
| Ashman’s Burgers, Nelson | |
| Baker Street Inn Best Western, Nelson | |
| Bayleaf Indian Fusion, Creston | |
| Blue Barn Pet and Hobby Farm, Castlegar | |
| Boaz Enterprises Ltd., Trail | |
| Boston Pizza, Castlegar | |
| Broken Hill, Nelson | |
| Busaba Thai, Nelson | |
| Canadian Tire, Trail | |
| Cantina Del Centro, Nelson | |
| Castlegar Shell, Castlegar | |
| Chahko Mika Mall, Nelson | |
| Chopsticks, Castlegar | |
| Columbia River Hotel Best Western, Trail | |
| Creston Hotel/ Jimmy’s Pub, Creston | |
| Cuisine of India, Castlegar | |
| Cut Rite Meats and Deli, Nakusp | |
| Edgewood General Store, Edgewood | |
| El Taco, Nelson | |
| Ferraro Foods, Trail/ Rossland | |
| Finley’s Bar & Grill, Nelson | |
| Golden Chopsticks II, Grand Forks | |
| Grand Forks Inn, Grand Forks | |
| The Handy Store, Trail | |
| Haryanvi Retail Ltd., Trail/Castlegar/Nelson | |
| HG Insurance Agencies, Castlegar | |
| Hume Hotel, Nelson | |
| JMJ Building Maintenance, Castlegar | |
| The Josie Hotel, Rossland | |
| Kaslo Hotel, Kaslo | |
| KC Restaurant, Nelson | |
| Kokanee Glacier Resort, Nelson | |
| Kootenay Bakery Cafe Coop, Nelson | |
| Kootenay Co-op Grocery Store, Nelson | |
| Kootenay Tamil Kitchen Food & Beverage, Nelson | |
| Kootenay Tamil Kitchen Ethnic Foods, Creston | |
| Kootenay Tamil Kitchen Masala Shop, Nelson | |
| Kurama Sushi Japanese Restaurant, Nelson | |
| L&C Bakery, Nelson | |
| Mainstreet Diner, Nelson | |
| Maple Leaf Store, Slocan | |
| MapleMirch Foods Ltd, Castlegar | |
| Milano Pizza, Fruitvale | |
| The Nineteenth (RFV Holdings), Castlegar | |
| Oso Negro Coffee, Nelson | |
| Outer Clove Restaurant, Nelson | |
| Port 701, Nelson | |
| Prestige Lakeside Resort, Nelson | |
| Red Fin Sushi, Castlegar | |
| Rel-Ish Bistro, Nelson | |
| Serendipity Nail Studio, Nelson | |
| Shatti Esthetics Studio, Trail/Rossland | |
| Simran’s No Frills, Grand Forks | |
| Sunner Barber Shop Ltd, Trail/ Castlegar | |
| Sushiwood, Nelson | |
| Supersave Gas, Grand Forks | |
| SureStay Best Western, Castlegar | |
| Tahnam Thai | |
| Taste of India, Trail | |
| Thor’s Pizza, Nelson | |
| The Uphill Market, Nelson | |
| Valet Restorations, Castlegar | |
| Villa Motel, Nelson | |
| Western Traveler Motel, Grand Forks | |
| Working Ventures Insurance Solutions, Trail | |
| Yum Son, Nelson | |
| Trades, Transport, & Equipment Operators | A3 Plumbing, Nelson |
| Ace Couriers, Castlegar/ Grand Forks | |
| Babe’s Automotive, Slocan | |
| BC ECO Industrial Services, Nelson | |
| Castle Fuels, Grand Forks | |
| Martech Electrical Systems, Castlegar | |
| Marwest Industries Ltd., Castlegar | |
| Mercer Forestry Services | |
| Mountain City Painting, Trail | |
| OK Tire/ Practicar, Trail | |
| Paradise Painters, Nelson | |
| Rokform Solutions, Castlegar | |
| RSD Holdings, Castlegar | |
| The Sutherland Group, Salmo | |
| Valor Painting, Nelson | |
| Manufacturing & Utilities | Kalesnikoff Lumber, Thrums |
| Kalesnikoff Mass Timber, Castlegar | |
| KC Recycling, Trail | |
| Nelson Naturals, Nelson | |
| Popov Leather, Nelson | |
| Spearhead, Nelson | |
| Treasure Life Flour Mills, Creston |
Who is eligible for the West Kootenay RCIP?
To be eligible, a foreign national must have a job offer from a designated employer participating in the RCIP. The job offer must also fall within a priority occupation.
Once an employer has identified a foreign national they wish to hire through the RCIP, they must first submit a recommendation application through the appropriate community.
Foreign nationals who receive a successful recommendation can then apply to the federal government for PR.
Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Have at least one year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience within the last three years;*
- Meet the language proficiency standards set for the program;
- Hold a Canadian secondary school educational credential or an equivalent foreign qualification; and
- Demonstrate they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any accompanying family members during the settlement process.
*Note: International graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions in the region may be exempt from the work experience requirement.
Assess your eligibility for the RCIP