Canada’s two provinces British Columbia and Prince Edward Island conducted the latest PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) draw and published its result. As the government and the provinces have shared responsibility for immigration, the PNP is seen as an effective way to select candidates who will contribute to Canada’s economic development as requested by the immigration minister.
Economic immigration applicants are selected by provinces via PNPs based on their belief that they will benefit the provincial economy and integrate quickly. Consequently, they are more likely to choose the province as a place to live.
When a province nominates an applicant for Express Entry, IRCC is more likely to issue an ITA. CRS gives Express Entry applicants in the PNP 600 points more automatically, since Express Entry applicants are given 600 points more under the CRS. Higher CRS scores increase the likelihood of applicants receiving an Express Entry ITA for permanent residence.
Aims are set for permanent resident admissions under Provincial Nominee Programs in the Immigration Levels Strategy 2023-2025. The proposal anticipates that 105,000 people will be accepted into PNP by 2023, growing to 117,000 people by 2025.
The latest PNP draw result was released between March 25 -31
British Columbia
Over 211 candidates have been invited by British Columbia under the provincial lottery program on March 30. Weekly draws take place in the province regularly.
165 candidates were invited from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate stream (including the EEBC option) for the tech vocations draw. The Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), which operates in a similar manner to the Comprehensive Ranking System, requires a minimum score of 65 to be considered for admission.
Provinces could also invite workers to work in the following occupations.
- In total, 23 early childhood educators and helpers scored at least 60 on the survey.
- Skilled Worker, International is comprised of 23 medical professionals. All categories, including Express Entry, require a minimum of 60 points.
- A 60 or higher is required for other high-priority careers.
Prince Edward Island
113 applicants were also invited to apply on March 30 for the PEI PNP and Express Entry streams. Usually, PEI has only one draw per month, so this third draw in March isn’t unusual.
Furthermore, this is the second time in March that PEI entrepreneurs were excluded from the draw. Candidates from this stream are almost always included in each draw, so this is unusual. December 2022 was the most recent time this happened.
