Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a substantial increase in minimum settlement fund requirements for applicants to the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), effective July 29, 2025.
Key Changes
As of July 29, 2025, foreign nationals need a minimum of $2,544 more in settlement funds to immigrate through the RCIP or the FCIP. For a family of one, the minimum funds required to qualify for the RCIP or the FCIP increased from $7,963 to $10,507 on July 29 – a 31.94% increase.
Updated Settlement Fund Requirements
The following table compares the previous and current minimum settlement fund requirements:
| Family Size | Previous Requirement (CAD) | New Requirement (CAD) | Increase Amount | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $7,963 | $10,507 | $2,544 | 31.94% |
| 2 people | $9,692 | $13,080 | $3,388 | 34.94% |
| 3 people | $12,069 | $16,080 | $4,011 | 33.24% |
| 4 people | $15,056 | $19,524 | $4,468 | 29.67% |
| 5 people | $17,145 | $22,143 | $4,998 | 29.15% |
| 6 people | $19,015 | $24,975 | $5,960 | 31.35% |
| 7 people | $20,884 | $27,806 | $6,922 | 33.15% |
| Each additional person | $1,869 | $2,831 | $962 | 51.50% |
About RCIP and FCIP Programs
The RCIP and the FCIP are employer-focused pathways. All foreign nationals need a job offer from a designated employer to be eligible for these PR pathways. These programs were launched in 2025 to address critical labor shortages in rural communities outside Quebec.
In 2025, Greater Sudbury was allocated 525 nomination spaces under RCIP and 45 nomination spaces under FCIP, according to IRCC’s allocation summary.
Program Requirements
To be eligible for either program, candidates must:
- Secure a job offer from a designated employer in participating communities
- Obtain endorsement from a local economic development organization
- Meet education, work experience, and language proficiency requirements
- Demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their families upon settlement
- For FCIP specifically: Demonstrate French language proficiency
Participating Communities
Currently, there are:
- 14 communities participating in the RCIP
- 6 communities participating in the FCIP
Each community has selected specific priority sectors and occupations based on their economic needs and workforce requirements.
Acceptable Proof of Funds
According to official IRCC guidelines, acceptable proof of funds includes:
- Bank account statements
- Bank drafts
- Cheques
- Money orders
Important: The funds must be available both when applying for the program and when the permanent resident visa is issued.
Family Size Calculation
Your family size includes:
- Yourself
- Your spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children (yours and your partner’s)
Note: You must include spouse/partner and dependent children even if they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or not accompanying you to Canada.
Policy Context
This year’s increase is in line with the rising cost of living in Canada. The 2025 adjustment reflects a 3.9% increase, or $573 more for a single applicant compared to 2024 for other immigration streams like Express Entry. However, the RCIP and FCIP increases are significantly higher than other programs.
For a family of one, the minimum funds required to qualify for AIP increased from $3,672 in 2024 to $3,815 in 2025 – a 3.89% increase, showing that the rural pathway increases are dramatically higher than other immigration programs.
Impact Analysis
This substantial increase may have several implications:
Accessibility Concerns
The 30%+ increase creates a significant financial barrier that could exclude qualified candidates who have secured job offers but cannot meet the elevated settlement fund requirements.
Rural Labor Market Impact
Since these programs were designed to address labor shortages in rural communities, the higher barriers might work against this objective by reducing the pool of eligible international workers.
Comparison with Other Programs
The RCIP/FCIP increases are notably higher than other immigration streams, which typically saw modest 3-4% increases in 2025, raising questions about the rationale for such steep increases in rural pathways.
Resources and Next Steps
For prospective applicants:
- Review the official RCIP proof of funds requirements
- Consult with participating communities about designated employers and priority occupations
- Consider seeking employer assistance or community support programs where available
- Plan financially well in advance given the substantial fund requirements
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