Claresholm has recently announced its updated priority sectors, occupations, and designated employers for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) for 2026.
Foreign nationals with a job offer from a designated Claresholm employer in a priority sector or occupation are eligible to apply for permanent residence through this rural immigration pathway, subject to meeting all other requirements.
Claresholm, located in southern Alberta approximately 1.5 hours from Calgary, is actively participating in the RCIP, with a designated boundary that includes the hamlet of Granum and Stavely.
Prioritized Sectors in 2026
Claresholm is focusing on recruiting individuals in six key sectors for the RCIP in 2026:
- Health
- Manufacturing and utilities
- Trades, transport, and equipment operators
- Education, law, social, community, and government services
- Natural resources and agriculture
- Sales and service
These sectors are ranked in order of priority, with higher points awarded to candidates in sectors like health compared to sales and service.
Claresholm has introduced Trades, transport, and equipment operators as a new priority sector for 2026, with a limited number of allocations.
Prioritized Occupations in 2026
Workers in the following 25 occupations will receive priority consideration in Claresholm’s candidate selection process under the RCIP:
Bolded occupations are new priorities for this year, while the remaining National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes were also prioritized in 2025.
| Occupation | NOC code |
|---|---|
| Occupation 1 | NOC code 1 |
| Occupation 2 | NOC code 2 |
| Occupation 3 | NOC code 3 |
| Occupation 4 | NOC code 4 |
| Occupation 5 | NOC code 5 |
| Occupation 6 | NOC code 6 |
| Occupation 7 | NOC code 7 |
| Occupation 8 | NOC code 8 |
| Occupation 9 | NOC code 9 |
| Occupation 10 | NOC code 10 |
| Occupation 11 | NOC code 11 |
| Occupation 12 | NOC code 12 |
| Occupation 13 | NOC code 13 |
| Occupation 14 | NOC code 14 |
| Occupation 15 | NOC code 15 |
| Occupation 16 | NOC code 16 |
| Occupation 17 | NOC code 17 |
| Occupation 18 | NOC code 18 |
| Occupation 19 | NOC code 19 |
| Occupation 20 | NOC code 20 |
| Occupation 21 | NOC code 21 |
| Occupation 22 | NOC code 22 |
| Occupation 23 | NOC code 23 |
| Occupation 24 | NOC code 24 |
| Occupation 25 | NOC code 25 |