British Columbia, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island released nominations for the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) this week.
Through the PNP, provincial governments select the most suitable economic immigrant candidates to become economically established and issue them an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for a provincial nomination. Being nominated by a province strengthens a candidate’s application for permanent resident status in Canada.
If a province issues an EOI, the candidate must apply to the provincial government for a nomination. This means they must submit all the required documents and may have to pay a separate fee to the province. This is in addition to any fees they pay to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry or their permanent resident application.
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Candidates can apply directly to the PNP program (known as Base Nomination) or they can be selected by the provincial government through the Express Entry application pool (known as Enhanced Nomination). Express Entry candidates automatically receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points on their Express Entry application if they are successful in being nominated by a province.
Provincial Immigration Results January 27-February 2
British Columbia
British Columbia held five targeted draws for skilled workers and international graduates in the BC PNP. The draws took place on January 30 and invited over 194 candidates in specific occupations. The most invitations went to 89 candidates in technical occupations, with a minimum score of 103.
The province also invited 29 candidates with a minimum of 75 points in the construction trades.
For the remaining three draws, candidates were required to have a minimum marks of 60.
- Babysitting: 49 Invitations
- Healthcare: 27 invitations
- Veterinary care: less than five invitations
Manitoba
Manitoba issued 117 advice letters to apply for those affected by the current situation in Ukraine.
Candidates were considered if they were citizens of Ukraine and met the requirements for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream of the Manitoba PNP (MPNP). They also needed a close connection to the province such as family, work experience, study experience or community ties.
The province has also advised that it is currently dealing with a backlog of MPNP applications and that processing times can exceed six months. It added that if additional information is needed, the MPNP will contact candidates using the email and/or phone number provided on their application.
Prince Edward Island
On February 1, PEI issued letters of interest to 78 individuals in the Labour and Express Entry streams of the PEI PNP who are working in the healthcare, construction, manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, and early childhood education sectors. This was the second PEI PNP draw of 2024.
The province says it also considers candidates based on other characteristics, such as:
- Language: English or French;
- Education: level and field of education and where completed;
- skill and work experience level;
- Strategic Priorities: Features that will meet immediate labour market needs in PEI;
- Other factors relevant to employment prospects: including, but not limited to, a job offer in PEI and/or prior Canadian work experience.
Know if you are eligible for Canadian immigration