IRCC introduces updated guiding principles for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation distribution, aiming to streamline and enhance the immigration process. Discover the key updates and their implications.
The federal government of Canada annually sets a cap on the number of provinces that can receive candidates for the PNP. Through this scheme, provinces can choose economic immigrants who best fit their labor and financial requirements. They can do so by considering specific skills and qualities. The federal government and the provinces share immigration responsibility. Each Canadian province and territory, except Nunavut, operates a PNP. Quebec, on the other hand, has a distinct agreement with the federal government.
Candidates nominated by a province may apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Furthermore, candidates for Express Entry who receive an enhanced nomination from a province are eligible to receive an additional 600 points under the CRS, provided they accept the nomination and submit an approved PNP application to the inviting province. This significant point increase enhances the chances of the candidate receiving an invitation to apply in an Express Entry draw.
IRCC introduces updated principles for the PNP – Guiding concepts for allocation
Under the PNP, IRCC employs guiding principles to determine how many nominations each provincial government should receive. The following are the main goals of these guiding principles:
- Systematic Allocation Framework: IRCC is dedicated to establishing an evidence-based framework that systematically allocates PNP nominations each year.
- Improved Operational Predictability: These principles aim to enhance the predictability of operations when making allocation decisions. This involves a thorough assessment of historical usage and trends, ensuring a more accurate distribution between base and enhanced nomination spaces.
- Enhanced Transparency: IRCC is committed to boosting transparency in its dealings with provinces and territories (PTs). This includes sharing the considerations used to advise the Minister on allocation recommendations. Collaborative efforts with PTs are focused on enhancing the predictable utilization of allocations, which may involve setting limits on the size of reallocation and redistribution requests.
With the aim of improving predictability and, eventually, processing times for base PNP applications, the IRCC’s PNP guidelines are further segmented into qualitative and quantitative parameters.
With these principles, provinces and territories (PTs) will be better able to predict the allocation process, which will reduce the number of change requests.
Regional immigration programs such as the PNP and the Atlantic Immigration Program will have their objectives and intended outcomes reflected in quantitative calculations.
IRCC will utilize this data to calculate the allocation of nominations, taking into account the proportion of economic immigrants within each province and territory. This data-driven approach ensures a more informed and equitable distribution.
After determining the allocation, IRCC considers qualitative factors by actively seeking input through consultations with PTs and stakeholders to better understand needs and drive improvements. This collaborative approach supports effective planning and policy adjustments, also considering allocations that support regional needs like the AIP and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Atlantic Immigration Program – An overview
The Atlantic Immigration Program is an employer-driven initiative that aims to address labor market needs and promote regional growth. It allows designated local employers in Atlantic Canada to hire foreign nationals with job offers, without requiring a LMIA. Employers offer jobs, and candidates must have individualized settlement plans. Those needing quick hires can access temporary work permits, with a commitment to apply for permanent residence within 90 days. The program is successful in granting permanent resident status to immigrants, fulfilling local labor demands. And fostering population and economic growth in the Atlantic region.
The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) report highlights the AIP. In its inaugural year, the AIP employed a population-based model, where each province’s share of the regional population determined allocations. This model is retained for the first 2,000 allocations.
Once these initial allocations are assigned, IRCC employs a different approach, taking into account historical allocation usage, provincial strategies for immigration growth. And the distribution of economic immigration spaces, including those allocated through Express Entry and the PNP.
Multi-year distribution for PNP allocations
The recently adopted multi-year plans for the Atlantic Immigration Program and the PNP likewise follow these guiding principles.
The multi-year plan, like the Immigration Levels Plan, provides PT governments with allocations for three years in advance. Nevertheless, these allocations remain subject to potential changes.
Previously, the allocation process occurred on an annual basis. This created challenges for PTs in terms of infrastructure development, including housing, healthcare, and services for newcomers settling in those areas. Furthermore, it was announced that there would be a 44% overall increase in PNP grants in 2023.
Canada’s immigration-level plan
Canada will release a new Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026 by November 1st. This plan will set permanent resident admission targets for the upcoming three years. This plan will be pivotal in shaping the nation’s immigration strategy.
In the 2023-2025 Plan, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) featured as the largest contributor to permanent resident admissions. The targets began at 105,500 in 2023 and will reach 117,500 PNP admissions annually by 2025.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has expressed his expectation that the forthcoming plan will not reduce these targets. The prevailing high admission goals and increasing pressure from provincial governments to enhance allocations make it increasingly likely that any modifications to the current PNP admission targets will necessitate an increase.
Seek professional assistance from Immigtoronto for a hassle-free immigration process. Our skilled consultants are focused on guiding potential immigrants. If you have inquiries, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
