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Guide for Employers: Submitting a Community Recommendation Application

Application Launch

Please note, West Kootenay RCIP is not accepting applications for community recommendations from employers until July 2025, when staff have capacity to begin processing applications.

Once an employer is designated through West Kootenay Rural Community Immigration Pilot, they will be given access to the Application Form.

Step 1: Identify a Candidate

Make sure your candidate: 

  • Has a valid job offer in a full-time, non-seasonal, permanent position in the West Kootenay region.
  • The job is a priority occupation (unless West Kootenay RCIP has given permission to submit for an emerging needs occupation).
  • Meets all federal eligibility criteria:
    • Language proficiency based on the job’s TEER category.
    • Education: Canadian high school diploma or foreign equivalent with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
    • Work experience: at least 1,560 paid hours (equivalent to one year full-time work) in the past three years, unless exempt as an international graduate from a local institution.
    • Settlement funds, if not already working in Canada.
    • Intent to reside in the West Kootenay region.
  • Has valid immigration status. Candidates must either be outside Canada or hold valid temporary resident status (e.g. work or study permit) if applying from within Canada. Candidates on visitor visas or without valid status in Canada are not eligible for a community recommendation, as they are not eligible to apply for a work permit and cannot meet federal requirements for permanent residence

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

You will be asked to upload these items when filling out the West Kootenay RCIP Recommendation Application Form:

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Once you are a West Kootenay RCIP Designated Employer, you will be given access to the Application for Community Recommendation webform.

Fill out the West Kootenay RCIP Community Recommendation Application webform completely and accurately. You will be asked to provide:

  1. Employer and Candidate Information
  2. Eligibility Criteria: Job offer details, TEER category, language and education verification, work experience (or international graduate exemption).
  3. Commitment to Settlement Supports: Name the local settlement service provider you’ll refer your newcomer to. And list 1–2 specific actions you’ll take to support the candidate and their family (e.g., helping with housing, transportation, or school registration).
  4. Recruitment Activities: Demonstrate your efforts to hire locally. Include a copy of job advertisements, number of applicants/interviews, and explain why a Canadian or permanent resident was not hired.
  5. Use of Immigration Representatives or Recruiters: Declare if you used any recruiters or consultants, even if unpaid.
  6. Declarations: Employer and candidate must read, initial, and sign to confirm their understanding and agreement

*Applications are processed in the order they are received. Your application may not be processed in the same month it was submitted. 

*Incomplete applications will be returned with explanation about what is missing. Applications may be resubmitted but will be processed according to the date it was resubmitted.

Note: only designated employer will be given access to the recommendation application form.

Step 4: Wait for the Decision

After the application form has been processed by the RCIP Coordinator, it will enter the queue for review by the West Kootenay RCIP Steering Committee.

The West Kootenay RCIP Steering Committee meets monthly to review and decide whether to approve the applications for community recommendation.

Depending on the number of applications waiting for review, your application may not be reviewed in the same month it was completed. 

  • If approved, you and your candidate will be notified. The candidate will receive a Recommendation Certificate.
  • If declined, you’ll receive a written explanation with the reason(s).

Step 5: Support Candidate

If your application for community recommendation is approved, the candidate will be eligible to apply for permanent residency (PR) through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Employers play a supporting role at this stage.

Permanent Residence Application

  • The candidate can now apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency.
  • As the employer, you must ensure the candidate has the following:
    • A genuine, full-time, non-seasonal, permanent job offer in the community.
    • The previously signed and submitted IMM 0247 – Offer of Employment to a Foreign National from your Community Recommendation application.
    • Proof of designation as an employer (already validated by West Kootenay RCIP).
    • Contact information and willingness to respond to verification requests from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, if needed.

Support RCIP 2-Year Work Permit (Optional)

If the candidate applies for the 2-year employer-specific work permit while their permanent residency application is being processed:

Important Reminders to Employers

At least 75% of job duties must take place in the West Kootenay region.

Employer caps apply unless hiring in:

  • Healthcare (NOC 33102 – health care aides, etc.)
  • Child Care (NOC 42202 – early childhood educators).

The job offer meets the federal and West Kootenay wage requirements (learn more).

You must remain in good standing and support your candidate for up to three years.

Visit the West Kootenay RCIP’s Eligibility Requirements page and Priorities page to learn more.

Questions?

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions page to address common questions related to this pilot. If you do not find the answer you are looking for, then please contact West Kootenay RCIP.