How can I participate?

Eligible RNIP candidates are invited to apply to any job within the community of Claresholm. This can be done by searching for jobs on sites such as Indeed or Canada Job Bank, watching for job postings in The Claresholm Local Press or on social media, submitting resumes to Claresholm employers, or being referred by a friend, family member, or acquaintance.

All of AHS’s job opportunities are posted on the Alberta Health Services Careers - Jobs, you can search “Claresholm” as a key word and apply for any AHS job opportunities that are there.

If you do not live in Canada, or if you live in Canada but do not have a Valid Open Work Permit then you can submit your job applications to employers via email, or through platforms such as Job Bank or Indeed. 

If you currently live in Canada, and hold a valid Open Work Permit, you can apply for jobs directly with the employer and identify yourself as an Open Work Permit holder or indicate that you qualify for the RNIP program. 

Individuals that provide false or misleading information to the EDC or to any Claresholm employers will not be considered for Community Recommendation.

An employer, or a consultant working on behalf of the employer, cannot request or accept any money from the candidate in exchange for providing a job offer or a job interview. As a candidate you do not need to pay an employer, if an employer is requesting money for a job offer or interview, please report this to eda@claresholm.ca. Learn about the use of a representative here. 

What is the process?

1. Find a job in Claresholm, AB, as defined above and by the Ministerial Instructions. If the employer is not currently enrolled with RNIP, direct them to the Information for Businesses in the Claresholm Area page.
2. Undergo the employer screening process. This may include an interview with the employer, reference checks, etc. Please note, an interview needs to be conducted either in-person, on the phone, or by video conference.
3. Receive a qualifying job offer from the employer on IRCC form IMM 5984**. You and your employer need to work together to complete this step*.
4. Complete the IRCC form IMM 5911*. Gather all the requested documents indicated on the Claresholm RNIP Document Checklist**
5. Submit your completed** application package to eda@claresholm.ca. The EDO or EDA will assess your eligibility using the federal eligibility and community criteria points system.
6. Eligible candidates will be contacted for an RNIP interview to confirm their intent to reside in the community. Candidates deemed ineligible will be informed by the EDO.
7. After the interview, the Economic Development Committee makes a final decision on your application. The Committee meets monthly and will either choose to approve or decline your RNIP application.
8. The EDO or EDA will notify you of the Committee’s decision. Successful candidates will receive an RNIP Community Recommendation form (IMM 0112) and an email with information on next steps. This form is valid for 6 months and is required for making a permanent residency application.
9. Submit your permanent residency application directly to IRCC before your RNIP Community Recommendation expires. Follow IRCC’s guide and document checklist very carefully.
10. Once you have submitted your PR application, you may be eligible to apply for a work permit. A work permit would allow you (and your family, if desired) to come to Claresholm and start work while you are waiting for a decision on your permanent resident application. As with the PR application, IRCC has a step-by-step guide for work permit applicants.
11. You and your family can begin life in Claresholm once your temporary work permit or your permanent resident application is approved (whichever occurs first). The employer and/or a community representative will connect you and your family with services and community connections to support your settlement.

*To complete the IMM forms, please follow IRCC’s (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) instruction guide. You will find form-specific, step-by-step instructions under Step 2: Complete the Application.

**To access the forms mentioned on this page and ensure you include all the necessary and up to date forms in your application package, please send an email to eda@claresholm.ca with the subject “REQUEST: RNIP Application Forms” along with a completed IMM 5984 Offer of Employment form. 

View the Process Map

Eligibility and Evaluation

To be deemed eligible for recommendation by Claresholm Economic Development Committee, a candidate must:

1. Meet federal eligibility criteria related to language proficiency, education and intention to reside, as specified in the Ministerial Instructions, to demonstrate that they have the skill set required in the community and the intention to reside in the community;
2. Have received a genuine job offer in one of the National Occupational Classification groups determined by the Claresholm Economic Development Committee to be in-demand in Claresholm from an eligible employer as established by the Claresholm Economic Development Committee; and,
3. Have past work experience that is valid according to Guide 0118, aligns with the Job Offer TEER, and commensurate with duties and responsibilities required to effectively work in the job specified within their job offer.
4. Have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent. If you did not complete your studies in Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your studies are equal to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, which must be less than five years old on the date we receive your application.
5. Meet the minimum language requirements in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for listening, speaking, reading and writing based on the NOC category that applies to the job offer in the community. Complete mandatory language testing and submit your results with your application, your test results must not be more than two years old on the date your application is received.

Once a candidate has been deemed eligible per the above criteria, the Claresholm Economic Development Committee will prioritize candidates for recommendation who are most likely to settle and reside in Claresholm and contribute to the local economy. Where more candidates meet the required minimum score than can be given a recommendation in a period of time, the highest scoring candidates will be further assessed for recommendation. The Claresholm Economic Development Committee reserves the right to limit the number of recommendations issued by NOC group or occupation, or by employer.

Each candidate will be evaluated per the following community criteria:

1. The candidate’s language proficiency, to assess whether a candidate has the skill set required in the community;
2. The candidate’s age on the day the application is received, to assess whether an applicant has the skill set required in the community;
3. The candidate’s expected wage in Claresholm, to demonstrate that the candidate has a genuine job offer in an occupation or industry sector that is in demand in the community;
4. The candidate’s past residence in, and level of familiarity with, Claresholm; to demonstrate a candidate’s connection to the community;
5. The candidate’s past residence in, and level of familiarity with, rural and remote communities; to demonstrate a candidate’s connection to the community;
6. The candidate’s existing connection to a family member or friend in Claresholm, to demonstrate a candidate’s connection to the community;
7. The candidate’s past social contributions to Claresholm; to demonstrate a candidate’s connection the community;
8. The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner’s demonstrated adaptability to contribute to economic and social life in Claresholm, to establish an intention to reside in Claresholm, in the form of:

- Candidates who demonstrate that their spouse or common-law partner has proficiency in one of Canada’s two official language

- Candidates who demonstrate that their spouse or common-law partner is currently legally authorized to work in Claresholm; 

- Candidates who demonstrate that their spouse or common-law partner has an education credential that meets Claresholm labour needs;

- Candidates who demonstrate that their spouse or common-law partner has work experience or education that could fill Claresholm labour needs.

- Candidates who demonstrate that their spouse or common-law partner has resided in Claresholm.

- Candidates who demonstrate that their spouse or common-law partner has an existing connection to a family member or friend in Claresholm.

- Candidates who demonstrate their spouse or common-law partner has made social contributions to Claresholm in the past.