In the most recent provincial immigration updates, six provinces in Canada – Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) – have extended invitations to candidates to apply for provincial immigration programs. These invitations are part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows provinces and territories, excluding Quebec and Nunavut, to nominate economic immigrants for permanent residency.
The PNP nomination plays a vital role in strengthening a candidate’s application for permanent residency when they apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, it’s important to note that Quebec has its own agreement with the federal government, granting it full autonomy over selecting economic immigrants for permanent residency.
To streamline and coordinate the immigration process effectively, IRCC releases an annual Immigration Levels Plan that sets targets for the number of permanent residents to be invited over a three-year period. The recently published plan for 2024-2026 reveals that IRCC aims to admit 110,000 newcomers through the PNP in 2024, followed by 120,000 in both 2025 and 2026.
The Immigration Levels Plan aligns with IRCC’s Strategic Immigration Program, which focuses on improving efficiency, facilitating settlement for newcomers, and considering infrastructure requirements and settlement services. By engaging with provincial governments and other stakeholders, IRCC aims to understand local needs and capabilities, ensuring successful integration for newcomers while maintaining affordability and balancing the interests of all Canadians.
Let’s take a closer look at the provincial immigration results from the latest draws conducted between October 28 and November 3:
Ontario:
Ontario invited candidates in the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). A total of 1,051 Master’s Graduate stream candidates with a minimum score of 43 and 66 PhD Graduate stream candidates with a minimum score of 42 were invited to apply.
British Columbia:
British Columbia held four separate draws, inviting over 203 PNP candidates. The draws included Skilled Workers, International Graduates, Entry-Level, and Semi-Skilled candidates. Minimum scores ranged from 60 to 113, depending on the occupation and stream.
Quebec:
Quebec released its own Immigration Levels Plan, setting targets for economic immigrants’ selection in 2024 and 2025. Recent draws targeted multiple trades occupations, as well as candidates in tech, healthcare, and other priority occupations. Proficiency in French was also a requirement for both draws.
Alberta:
Alberta conducted draws on October 24 and 26, inviting candidates through the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, Family Connection, and Primary Occupation In-Demand streams. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores ranged from 326 to 369.
Manitoba:
Manitoba invited 400 candidates through the Manitoba PNP, including Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Overseas, and International Education Stream candidates. Minimum scores varied based on the stream and recruitment strategy.
Prince Edward Island (PEI):
PEI invited 41 Labour and Express Entry candidates, specifically targeting those working in healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, and agriculture sectors.
These recent provincial immigration results demonstrate the ongoing efforts of Canadian provinces to attract and retain skilled immigrants. By participating in the PNP, candidates have increased opportunities for permanent residency in Canada, contributing to the country’s diverse and vibrant society.