The most recent Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw in Canada involved four provinces: BC, Ontario, Manitoba, & Quebec, and the results of this draw have been released.
BC, Ontario, Manitoba, & Quebec released PNP draw results
Ontario
Ontario held a general draw for its French-speaking skilled Worker Stream during July 25. 95 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) were given out in this draw by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to applicants with CRS scores ranging from 321 to 374. The NOIs act as an invitation for these applicants to submit an application for provincial nomination. Moreover, it is an essential step on the road to eventual permanent residence in Canada.
British Columbia
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), which has six different streams, held two separate drawings on July 25th. Notably, the BCPNP has the federal Express Entry system’s equivalent Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) Options Streams. With these improved nominations, individuals in the Express Entry pool can increase their chances of being selected for immigration to British Columbia by receiving 600 more CRS points after receiving a nomination from the province.
With corresponding CRS cut-off scores, the first draw generated 175 ITAs across the following streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream had a 106 CRS cut-off.
- Skilled Worker Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) Option Stream also had a 106 CRS cut-off.
- International Graduate Stream required a minimum CRS of 109.
- International Graduate EEBC Option Stream had a 109 CRS cut-off as well.
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Stream had the lowest CRS cut-off of 87.
The second draw targeted candidates with experience in particular professions. And was notably focused on the Skilled Worker International Graduate Stream, which offers an EEBC option.
- Early childhood educators and assistants with a CRS score of 60 obtained 30 ITAs.
- Healthcare professionals scoring 60 CRS points also secured 30 ITAs.
- Other priority occupations, including Veterinarians and Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians, with a CRS score of 60 or above, received a minimum of four ITAs in the recent draw.
Manitoba
On July 28, Manitoba held three separate draws in distinct streams. They involved the following:
- Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream issued 299 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) with a minimum CRS score of 633.
- International Education Stream granted 41 LAAs to candidates with unreported minimum CRS scores.
- Skilled Worker Overseas Stream awarded 15 LAAs to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 726, under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.
Furthermore, a valid Express Entry profile was required for 56 of the 354 LAAs awarded, indicating that they are likely upgraded nominations.
Quebec
Quebec’s independent provincial immigration program held a draw on July 20th, inviting 1633 applicants from the Arrima portal (Quebec’s own immigration portal). Also, according to Quebec’s immigration laws, the chosen individuals satisfied a set of prerequisites.
- Possessed a level 7 proficiency in French, as per Quebec’s scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants, or its equivalent.
- Attained a minimum CRS score equal to or greater than 596 points.
- Held a valid job offer outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montreal Metropolitan Area).
Provincial Nominee Program – An overview
Introduced in 1998, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was designed to disperse the benefits of immigration evenly across Canada. Traditionally, most immigrants settled in populous provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, or Quebec. The PNP empowers provinces to nominate individuals based on their labor market or demographic requirements, encouraging immigration to specific regions.
Each province in Canada, except Quebec (with its distinct immigration program) and Nunavut, operates its own PNP. As well as, these programs have proven successful in diversifying immigration throughout the country and are now the primary pathway for economic immigration. Furthermore, an estimated 333,000 new Canadians are expected to be welcomed through PNPs between 2023 and 2025.
There are PNP streams designed for alternative skill sets and qualifications, despite the fact that the majority of PNP streams concentrate on professionals, notably in certain occupations. These comprise streams for people with special language proficiency, often in French, as well as those who have studied abroad in a particular province.
