BC and PEI issue new invitations in latest provincial nomination draw

Two Canadian provinces recently issued invitations to immigration candidates as part of their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. The PNP, first launched in Manitoba in 1998, was designed to help spread the benefits of immigration across Canada, particularly in areas that immigrants may not typically consider when moving to the country. Today, every Canadian province and territory, except for Quebec and Nunavut, operates its own PNP. The program allows provincial governments to select economic immigration candidates who are most likely to integrate successfully into their local job markets and communities.

Each province has a specific number of nominations it can issue, as determined by the federal Immigration Levels Plan. This plan, which outlines how many immigrants will be accepted into Canada, was recently updated on October 24, 2023. A major change in the plan for 2025 is a significant reduction in the number of PNP nominations, dropping from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 next year. Despite this cut, receiving a provincial nomination remains a highly sought-after advantage for immigrants, as it greatly strengthens their permanent residency applications.

For candidates in the Express Entry system, a provincial nomination can be especially powerful. It adds an additional 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly increasing their chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence. The PNP remains one of Canada’s most popular and effective immigration pathways, especially for newcomers looking to build a life in the country through permanent residency.

Between October 26 and November 1, two provinces, British Columbia (BC) and Prince Edward Island (PEI), held provincial draws.

On October 30, British Columbia issued over 83 invitations to apply for nomination through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The province held a general draw inviting 31 candidates from various streams, including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled streams. The minimum score for Skilled Workers and International Graduates was 134, while the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled candidates needed a score of 117.

Additionally, British Columbia conducted targeted draws for specific occupations in childcare, construction, healthcare, and veterinary sectors. In these draws, 20 childcare workers with a minimum score of 90, 20 construction workers with a minimum score of 96, 12 healthcare professionals with a minimum score of 104, and fewer than five veterinarians with a minimum score of 80 were invited to apply.

Prince Edward Island also held its provincial draw, issuing 89 invitations to candidates in its Labour and Express Entry category. PEI targeted candidates already working in the province’s healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors. In addition, two invitations were issued in the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur category for candidates with a minimum score of 92. Over the past year, PEI has invited 1,237 candidates through its PNP, with 98% of those invitations going to Labour and Express Entry candidates.