Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have issued invitations to apply to candidates through provincial immigration programs this week.
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 has grown in prominence significantly since its launch in 1998 and now accounts for over 80,000 PR admissions per year. The increase in the number of PNP admissions in Canada is because the federal and provincial governments consider it an effective tool to promote the economic development of the country.
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).
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
Provincial immigration results September between 16- 23
Ontario
On September 20, Ontario issued invitations to apply to 823 candidates in the Masters Graduate stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Candidates required a minimum score of 33 or higher to be eligible.
Additionally, candidates in this stream must meet a baseline of eligibility criteria such as the following:
- Must have a masters degree from an eligible university in Ontario.
- Language requirement: CLB level 7 or higher (English or French)
- Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and welcomes the highest number of newcomers each year. It also has the largest allocation of invitations to apply available under any PNP in Canada. For 2022, Ontario is able to issue invitations to 9,750 candidates.
Quebec
Quebec invited 1,202 skilled workers to apply for permanent selection on September 8, 2022. This is the tenth, and largest, draw in the Arrima Expression of Interest system in 2022. Quebec does not typically release draw results until one to two weeks after draws occur.
The invitations were issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to immigration candidates applying under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
Candidates had to have profiles in the Arrima Expression of Interest system with scores of at least 620 points.
Those who are invited to apply for permanent selection by Quebec have a maximum of 60 days to submit their application and pay processing fees. Quebec aims to process complete applications within six months, starting on the date all the required information has been received. This includes all forms and documents.
If successful, candidates will get a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ or Quebec Selection Certificate). They can then use this document to apply for permanent residence to the Canadian federal government.
British Columbia
More than 352 candidates were invited to apply for provincial nomination in British Columbia on September 21. BC typically holds a provincial nomination draw each week.
Most candidates, 341, were invited in a targeted draw for tech occupations. The invitations were issued to candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduates categories and included Express Entry candidates. The draw also included Entry Level and Semi-Skilled candidates.
The minimum SIRS score for the targeted regional draw ranged between 91 for Skilled Workers with Express Entry to 70 for Entry Level and Semi-Skilled candidates. 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.
- 11 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) with scores of at least 60 points; and
- Healthcare workers with scores of at least 60 points
