British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have issued invitations to apply to candidates through their Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) this week.
Although provincial nomination is not in itself the same as a permanent residence, it can act as the first step towards gaining permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Most Canadian provinces and territories (with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own Provincial Nomination Programs. Through these programs, interested candidates may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Quebec’s immigration programs are administered by the province and are distinct from Canada’s immigration programs.
The PNP accounts for 105,000 PR admissions per year. It began in 1998 and the annual number of PNP admissions has since increased steadily. Both federal and provincial governments consider it an effective tool to promote economic development outside of urban centers.
Provincial immigration results December 9-December 16
Ontario
On December 13, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 160 letters of interest to candidates from the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream. Candidates had to already be in the Express Entry pool with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 341-490. The draw targeted candidates with work experience in specific National Occupational Classification codes.
To be eligible for this stream, candidates must be in the pool for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class. They must be able to understand, read, write, and speak French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.
Additionally, they should be able to understand, read, write, and speak English at CLB level 6 or higher.
British Columbia
More than 212 candidates were invited to apply for provincial nomination in British Columbia on December 13.
The province invited 180 candidates in a general draw that included tech occupations. The invitations were issued to candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduates categories and included Express Entry candidates.
Invitations were also issued to Entry Level and Semi-Skilled candidates. The SIRS score for the general draw ranged from 80- 104.
SIRS acts much like the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) but is only used for British Columbia’s PNP.
The province also held rounds of invitations for candidates working in the following occupations.
- 19 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) with scores of at least 60 points;
- 13 healthcare workers from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, including Express Entry category, with scores of at least 60 points and;
- Other priority occupations with minimum scores of 60.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan held its first draw in over a month on December 15. The province invited 348 candidates under the Express Entry stream, and 285 under Occupations-In-Demand stream of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), for a total of 633 invitations issued. Candidates from both categories required scores of 82.
Two invitations were also issued to candidates with scores of 62, whose country of residence is Ukraine.
Manitoba
Manitoba invited a 1,030 candidates under the Skilled Workers Overseas stream of Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program. To be invited, candidates must meet a baseline of criteria specific to their program. Of the the total number of candidates who received an Expression of Interest (EOI), 656 had profiles in the Express Entry system.
