Four Canadian Provinces Select Candidates Through PNP Programs

This week, four Canadian provinces held immigration draws under their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), targeting candidates based on their professional experience, employment status, education, and other work-related factors. The draws aimed to address the labor needs in various sectors and invited eligible individuals to apply for permanent residency.

Alberta’s draw, held on November 21, was part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). This draw targeted healthcare professionals, specifically those with a valid job offer in Alberta's healthcare sector. Candidates needed to meet several criteria: a minimum score of 42 based on AAIP’s scoring system, a valid work permit, language proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher, a valid Express Entry profile expiring in 2025 or later, and a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 300. In total, 96 candidates were invited under the Alberta Express Entry – Priority Sectors stream. This initiative reflects Alberta’s ongoing need for healthcare professionals.

On November 26, British Columbia held two draws under its PNP. The first draw was a general selection across three immigration streams: Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker – Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC), and International Graduate. Candidates were required to meet minimum scores ranging from 125 for Entry Level & Semi-Skilled workers to 146 for Skilled Workers and graduates. Seven invitations were issued in total.

The second draw focused on Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, targeting sectors experiencing labor shortages. Sectors included childcare, construction, healthcare, and veterinary care, with minimum required scores ranging from 80 for veterinary care to 121 for healthcare professionals. At least four candidates were selected based on their employment within these in-demand sectors.

Manitoba held three separate draws on November 22, each targeting different immigration streams. The first draw was for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream, which issued 89 invitations to candidates with a score of at least 840 under Manitoba’s scoring system. Candidates also had to have a close relative residing in Manitoba for at least a year. The second draw targeted Skilled Worker Overseas candidates, inviting 25 individuals with a score of at least 617. To qualify, these candidates had to be nominated under a strategic recruitment initiative. The third draw under the International Education Stream issued 165 invitations. In total, 279 invitations were sent out, with 55 of the candidates also holding valid Express Entry profiles.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) held its first draw in nearly a month on November 21 under the Labour and Express Entry stream. This draw invited 59 candidates, with eligibility requirements including current employment in PEI’s healthcare, construction, or manufacturing sectors. Additionally, candidates needed a work permit set to expire in 2024. PEI has issued 1,113 invitations in the past year, reflecting its commitment to attracting skilled workers in high-demand industries.

These immigration draws are part of the provinces’ efforts to address labor shortages and strengthen their local economies. By targeting specific sectors, the programs aim to bring in skilled workers who can contribute to the ongoing growth and development of these regions.