This week, Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba have extended invitations to candidates through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), offering a pathway to permanent residence in Canada for eligible candidates.
Each Canadian province and territory, except for Quebec and Nunavut, operates its own PNP, designed to nominate economic immigration candidates who are a good fit for the province’s labor market and economy.
Candidates interested in these programs must first catch the attention of the provinces by either applying directly or being selected from the Express Entry pool. After receiving an Expression of Interest (EOI) from a province, candidates can then apply for a provincial nomination. A successful nomination significantly boosts a candidate’s chances of securing permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Provinces use their unique scoring systems to evaluate candidates based on various factors, similar to the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry.
Recent PNP Activity (March 9-15)
Ontario’s Busy Week
Ontario had a bustling week with three draws under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), specifically targeting international students and skilled professionals in various fields.
On March 12, Ontario sent out EOIs in three separate rounds under the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream. One general draw issued 1,306 invitations with scores of at least 72. Another draw focused on skilled trades, inviting 649 candidates with scores starting from 66. The third draw targeted 684 candidates in healthcare and tech, requiring scores of 72 or above.
Additionally, Ontario reached out to 11 candidates through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream as part of the Economic Mobility Pathways Project.
British Columbia Focuses on Specific Sectors
Also on March 12, British Columbia invited over 187 candidates through targeted draws in the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories, focusing on specific job sectors.
Tech occupations saw the largest draw with 65 candidates needing scores of at least 113 to qualify. Other targeted draws included 30 candidates in construction (minimum score of 80), 38 in healthcare, 54 in childcare, and less than five in veterinary care, with the latter three requiring minimum scores of 75.
Manitoba’s Selective Invitations
On March 8, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program chose 104 candidates from the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream, requiring a minimum score of 614 for consideration. Notably, 20 of these EOIs were issued to candidates with valid profiles in the federal Express Entry system.
Navigating Provincial Nominee Programs
For those looking to immigrate to Canada, these provincial nomination rounds highlight the opportunities available across different regions and sectors. Successful navigation of these programs can lead to a new life in Canada, tailored to the economic needs of each province.
