The immigration ministers at different levels of the government of Canada have agreed to increase the PNP allocations to facilitate immigration.
Recently, Canada’s PNP (Provincial Nominee Programs) has replaced the Express Entry system as the primary means of obtaining permanent residence in Canada.
As a result, it is expected that over 105,000 immigrants will enter Canada under the PNP every year during the next three years. This year, the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 foresees up to 105,500 Canadians entering the country through the Provincial Nominee Program, with that number projected to rise to 117,500 by 2025.
IRCC launched the PNP in 1998, but only 400 immigrants arrived under its program the following year.
The objective of the PNP – An overview
Recent and upcoming rises in PNP immigration to Canada are attributed to the need and demand for more qualified immigrants to fill specific labor shortages in their respective regions. This indicates that in order to enhance the fiscal, social, and cultural advantages of immigration throughout the nation. Canada is boosting the number of immigrants through the PNP.
The PNP helps provinces and territories achieve this objective by offering permanent residence to carefully selected immigration candidates who want to live in the province or territory.
Quebec and Nunavut do not have a PNP, so 11 provinces and territories in Canada administer them. Quebec has its own immigration program based on economic class, under a separate arrangement with the federal government.
Canada increases PNP allocations – PNP developments in recent years
Canada’s federal, territorial, and provincial immigration ministers gathered to discuss attracting more talented immigrants to each province and territory around the nation after agreeing to develop a new multi-year immigration plan specifically for the PNP last July. To gain a more remarkable ability to plan immigrant settlement and attraction across the country. This plan was designed to provide both levels of government with more flexibility.
The biannual Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI), which brings together immigration ministers from each province and territory, reaffirmed the PNP plan earlier this month. Ontario was the first province to unveil its new PNP allocation since the meeting on March 10th.
Increasing control over immigration policies based on economic class has been a priority for the Ontario government. In July of last year, Monte McNaughton told media that “Ontario selects less than 5% of its over 211,000 immigrants” in the next few years. Consequently, the minister announced he was making two main requests of the federal government.
As part of the first demand, Ontario wanted greater control over economic immigration, and as part of the second. It wished to double the Provincial Nominee Program allocation for the province to 18,000 people.
This past Saturday, the Ontario and federal governments confirmed that Ontario’s request had been approved. And the province’s PNP allocation would increase to 18,000 per year by 2025.
Together with these declarations, a number of other provinces have also made their PNP allocations public.
A total of 10,849 units will be allotted to Alberta in 2025. By 2025, it is predicted that Saskatchewan’s PNP allotment would reach 8,500. It is estimated that Manitoba’s allocation will increase from 9,500 to 10,000 this year. There are now 430 PNP positions authorized for Yukon in 2023, an increase of 300 from last year.
Ways to apply for the PNP
Canadians have the chance to immigrate to Canada through PNPs, both through base nominations and enhanced nominations.
Enhancements to PNP nominations are distinguished by their speed of processing. As of the time of writing, the IRCC noted that base nominations took an average of 20 months to process and enhanced nominations took an average of 11 months to process.
About the base PNP nomination
Nominations for the PNP reserve are submitted outside of the Express Entry system through the standard PNP process.
In order to apply for and be granted permanent residence in Canada through a base PNP nomination. Candidates must satisfy the requirements for a base PNP stream offered by their province or territory. Candidates who satisfy the above requirements, submit a nomination application, and are approved will receive a nomination certificate.
Following receipt of this certificate, recipients will be eligible to apply for permanent residence with the Canadian federal government.
In order to apply for the PNP, three fundamental steps must be completed:
- Complete the online application process with IRCC once you receive a nomination from your province.
- Ensure that the application fees are paid.
- Submit the application online after filling it out completely.
Enhanced PNP nominations
Conversely, the Express Entry system enables a large number of Canadian provinces and territories to nominate immigrants for permanent residency. There are parts of the PNPs that have been enhanced and are referred to as enhanced nominations.
An additional 600 points may be awarded to Express Entry pool candidates who obtain PNP nominations as part of the CRS – (Comprehensive Ranking System).
If the recipient receives 600 more CRS points, he or she is almost certain to receive an Invitation to Apply at the Express Entry pool’s following draw.
Hence, Express Entry-eligible PNP candidates are invited to post their profiles in order to increase their prospects of becoming Canadian permanent citizens. It is probable that those who apply for PNP may have to submit applications for permanent residency to the federal government. As well as a provincial or territorial government.
It is mandatory that immigration hopefuls are already in the Express Entry pool before requesting an upgraded PNP certificate. Two methods are generally used to complete an Enhanced PNP application.
- A provincial or territorial government will periodically check the Express Entry pool for interested candidates. And invite them to apply for permanent residency
- Those interested in moving to their province will be notified to contact them/email them so they can reach out and review their profile.
These four fundamental steps are part of the improved PNP application process:
- In order to apply for Express Entry, you must first register an IRCC account.
- Request the province or territory to confirm your nomination also you can apply through the Express Entry stream.
- You will obtain an ITA following the approval of the Express Entry nomination.
- The IRCC can be contacted online for the appropriate application.
