Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba open applications for provincial nominations

This week, three provinces in Canada invited candidates to apply for their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). This initiative, introduced in 1998, aims to share immigration benefits more evenly across the country. It allows provinces and territories to work alongside the federal government to manage immigration and attract skilled workers.

The Provincial Nominee Program has become a popular pathway for skilled workers looking to settle in Canada. However, receiving a nomination from a province does not automatically grant permanent residency (PR) status. Candidates must still go through the application process with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Nevertheless, a provincial nomination greatly enhances a candidate's application. Those who receive a nomination through the Express Entry system gain an extra 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This significant boost almost ensures they will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in an upcoming Express Entry draw.

Here’s a look at the recent results from the PNPs in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba for the week of October 5 to 11.

Ontario

On October 8, Ontario's Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to candidates under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream. A total of 885 invitations were sent out to individuals in skilled trades occupations, with a minimum score requirement of 48. Additionally, the province held a targeted draw under the same stream, issuing 841 invitations for priority occupations. To qualify for this draw, candidates needed a score of 52 or higher and must have had a job offer in one of the designated priority occupations.

British Columbia

On the same day, British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) invited over 173 candidates through the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams. The minimum cut-off scores varied by industry, reflecting the specific needs of each sector. Here’s a breakdown of the invitations:

• Childcare: 44 invitations with a minimum score of 83
• Construction: 25 invitations with a minimum score of 89
• Healthcare: 21 invitations with a minimum score of 99
• Tech: 83 invitations with a minimum score of 116
• Veterinary care: Fewer than 5 invitations with a minimum score of 80

Manitoba

On October 10, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted three draws. The first draw targeted specific occupations within the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream, issuing 82 invitations to candidates who completed post-secondary studies in the province. The cut-off score for this draw was 845 points.

On the same day, 114 candidates were invited to the International Education stream. Lastly, the MPNP held a draw for the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, inviting 38 individuals with a minimum score of 711. Candidates for this draw were required to be invited through the MPNP's "Strategic Recruitment Initiative."

Overall, these recent draws highlight the ongoing efforts by Canadian provinces to attract skilled workers to address labour shortages and support local economies. Candidates looking to settle in Canada should keep an eye on these opportunities as they continue to arise.