Ontario, BC, and Manitoba invite applicants for provincial nominations

In the latest round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, three Canadian provinces have extended invitations to skilled workers and international graduates seeking to move to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), along with provincial governments, shares the responsibility for managing immigration. However, Quebec and Nunavut operate under separate agreements for economic immigration.

Each province and territory in Canada, excluding Quebec and Nunavut, runs its own PNP, which allows them to nominate candidates for permanent residency based on their specific labour market needs and economic conditions. The number of nominations each province can issue is determined by factors such as population size and workforce demands. Ontario, for instance, receives the most nominations due to its large population.

According to the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, IRCC aims to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents through the PNP this year. It’s important to note that receiving a provincial nomination does not automatically mean you will be invited to apply for permanent residency by IRCC; these are separate processes.

Here’s a breakdown of recent provincial immigration results from August 24 to August 30:

Ontario: On August 22, Ontario issued 1,287 notifications of interest to candidates in the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 400 and 435 to qualify. In addition, they were required to have work experience in specific target occupations, each identified by its National Occupation Classification code.

British Columbia: On August 27, British Columbia issued over 158 invitations through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to Skilled Workers and International Graduate candidates, including those in the Express Entry British Columbia stream. The province conducted five targeted draws for specific occupations, with varying minimum scores:

• 40 invitations for childcare occupations with a minimum score of 83.
• 31 invitations for construction occupations with a minimum score of 88.
• 18 invitations for healthcare occupations with a minimum score of 99.
• 69 invitations for tech occupations with a minimum score of 118.
• Fewer than five invitations for veterinary care occupations with a minimum score of 80.

Manitoba: On August 30, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held a draw inviting 150 candidates from two PNP streams. The province invited 126 candidates from the International Education stream, with no minimum score reported. Additionally, 24 candidates from the Skilled Worker Overseas stream under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative were invited, requiring a minimum score of 727. Among the invitations issued, 21 went to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile.

In summary, the latest PNP draws reflect the ongoing efforts of Canadian provinces to address labour market needs and attract skilled immigrants. Each province has its own criteria and procedures, contributing to Canada's diverse and dynamic immigration system.