Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec are inviting applicants for provincial immigration.

Three provinces in Canada have opened the door for new immigrants by inviting candidates to apply for their provincial immigration programs. Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec are at the forefront of this initiative, each offering unique pathways for prospective newcomers.

Ontario and British Columbia utilize their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which were established in 1998. These programs aim to distribute the benefits of immigration more evenly across Canada, particularly in areas that haven't seen a large influx of newcomers in the past. The PNPs allow provinces to nominate individuals who they believe will successfully integrate into their local economies.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works alongside provincial governments to manage immigration across the country. Through these PNPs, the IRCC allocates a specific number of nominations to each province and territory, allowing them to select candidates who meet their economic needs.

It's important to note that receiving a nomination from a province does not automatically grant permanent residency. Instead, it strengthens the candidate's application when they apply for permanent residency through IRCC. For instance, candidates in the Express Entry system who receive a provincial nomination gain an extra 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in future draws.

Quebec operates differently than the other provinces as it has a unique agreement with the federal government. This agreement gives Quebec the authority to choose all of its economic immigration candidates and set its own targets for the number of newcomers it wishes to admit each year.

Here’s a snapshot of the recent provincial immigration results from September 14 to 20:

Ontario:
On September 17, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) sent out invitations to candidates in the Master's and PhD Graduate streams. A total of 1,249 invitations were extended to Master's graduates with scores of 53 or higher, while 194 invitations went to PhD graduates with scores of 45 or above. Two days later, on September 19, another draw was held for the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream, targeting 1,424 candidates from "other priority occupations." Candidates needed a CRS score between 505 and 528 to qualify.

British Columbia:
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) also conducted draws on September 17, inviting over 163 candidates. The largest draw was a general invitation that included Skilled Workers, International Graduates, and those in Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams. Candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories needed a minimum score of 128, while those in Entry Level and Semi-Skilled streams required a score of at least 110. Additional draws targeted specific occupations, inviting 43 candidates in childcare, 29 in construction, and 29 in healthcare, with varying minimum scores.

Quebec:
Quebec’s Skilled Worker Program conducted a draw on September 5, inviting 1,417 candidates to apply for permanent selection. These candidates needed a minimum score of 575 points and had to demonstrate level 7 oral proficiency in French, according to Quebec's language proficiency scale. Additionally, candidates could be considered if they had a job offer outside the Montreal metropolitan area.

This recent wave of immigration opportunities highlights Canada's commitment to welcoming newcomers and fostering economic growth through diverse skill sets and backgrounds.