British Columbia, Manitoba Issue Invitations To PNP Candidates

British Columbia and Manitoba have recently extended invitations to candidates through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), targeting skilled individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada. These programs, designed to attract talent to specific provinces, help fill labor shortages in high-demand industries. The PNPs, however, use distinct scoring systems to determine eligibility, making it important for candidates to understand that scores aren’t directly comparable between provinces.

British Columbia’s Latest Draw

On November 20, British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted a targeted draw focusing on skilled workers and international graduates. This included the popular Express Entry BC (EEBC) option, which fast-tracks both the PNP and permanent residency application process for qualified candidates. In total, 16 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with different cut-off scores based on the industry and occupation.

For example, candidates in the childcare sector needed a minimum score of 102, while those in construction required a score of 107. Health care professionals had a slightly higher threshold at 116, and those in the tech sector had to score 141. Interestingly, veterinary care professionals were invited with a much lower score of 80, but the number of invitations in this category was fewer than five.

Candidates can apply through BC PNP either directly or by linking their application to the federal Express Entry system through the EEBC stream. This dual pathway stream allows faster processing for both the provincial nomination and the permanent residence application if selected.

Manitoba’s Immigration Draws

Manitoba held three separate draws on November 8, inviting a total of 274 candidates. The first draw targeted skilled workers in Manitoba, focusing on candidates with experience as restaurant and food service managers. Under this specific draw, 41 candidates received Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs), with a minimum score of 672 required to be eligible.

The second draw, part of the International Education stream, saw 188 candidates receiving invitations. The third draw targeted skilled workers under the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, issuing 45 invitations. These candidates were invited as part of a strategic recruitment initiative and needed a minimum score of 703 to qualify.

PNPs are critical in Canada’s immigration system. These programs were introduced in 1998 to spread the benefits of immigration across the country and help provinces address local labor market shortages. Today, there are over 90 provincial immigration streams, each designed to attract individuals whose skills and work experience match the needs of the province.

PNPs are tailored to each province’s economic needs, and candidates are selected based on their ability to contribute to the local economy. Whether through specific occupations or broader workforce needs, PNPs provide an opportunity for immigrants to settle in a province while benefiting from faster processing times. For many, it serves as a viable path to Canadian permanent residency.