RCIP · Nova Scotia

Pictou County Rural Community Immigration Pilot

Pictou County (New Glasgow area)

The first Atlantic-Canada community in the pilot, Pictou County brings RCIP east of Ontario for the first time, covering New Glasgow, Pictou, Stellarton, Trenton, Westville and Pictou Landing First Nation.

Check my eligibility for Pictou County Official Pictou County RCIP site ↗

The local economy

Pictou County's economy includes manufacturing, health care, the trades and a growing service sector along Nova Scotia's Northumberland Shore.

Commonly prioritized sectors

Manufacturing
Health care
Skilled trades
Hospitality
Transport

Sectors shown reflect the region's labour market. The exact priority-occupation list, designated employers and current intake window are set by Pictou County and change often, confirm them on the official site before you rely on them.

Good to know: As the newest addition, Pictou County updates its Priority Occupation List during mid-year reviews, check the current intake window and list.

What you need to qualify for Pictou County RCIP

The federal requirements are the same across every RCIP community. You'll need a full-time, non-seasonal, permanent job offer from a designated Pictou County employer; one year (1,560 hours) of related work experience in the past three years, or the in-community graduate exemption; an approved language test meeting the CLB minimum for your job's TEER; a Canadian credential or a foreign one with an ECA; enough settlement funds for your family size; and a genuine intention to live in Pictou County.

On top of that, Pictou County chooses which employers and occupations it will support and recommends the candidates who best fit its labour needs and are most likely to stay. That's why a strong readiness profile, language above the minimum, relevant experience, and real ties to the community, matters even once you meet the federal floor.

Free tool

Pictou County eligibility & readiness checker

Check your profile against the federal RCIP requirements and see a readiness score for the factors Pictou County weighs when choosing who to recommend.

1 · Job offer

RCIP is employer-driven, a full-time, non-seasonal, permanent offer from a designated employer in Pictou County anchors everything.

Do you have a job offer?

TEER category of the job (2nd digit of its NOC code)

2 · Work experience

Do you have the required experience?

Total related experience

3 · Language

Approved tests: IELTS General, CELPIP-General or PTE Core (TEF/TCF Canada for French), under 2 years old. Your lowest ability counts.

Your CLB/NCLC level (lowest of the four abilities)

4 · Education

Highest completed credential

5 · Settlement funds

Family size (you + partner + dependent children)

Required: $10,507

Can you show this amount?

I'm already working in Canada on a valid work permit (exempt from proof of funds)

6 · Intent & community fitI genuinely plan to live in Pictou County, not just use it as an entry point

The factors below don't change federal eligibility, but communities weigh them when they have more candidates than allocations, so they feed your readiness score.

I have work or study experience in CanadaI have ties to Pictou County (family, or prior study/work there)My occupation is on the community's current priority-occupation list

Other RCIP communities

This page is general information, not immigration advice, and Sure Step Immigration is not affiliated with Pictou County or IRCC. RCIP has no official points grid or public cut-off score; recommendation depends on a genuine priority job offer and community fit. Verify all current details on the official community site and with a licensed representative before applying.