Candidates invited by 3 provinces in the most recent PNP draws this week, invitations were issued by Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan to candidates for applying through Provincial Nominee Program. All the Canadian territories and provinces operate their PNPs, except for Quebec and Nunavut.
To apply through these programs for a provincial nomination, interested candidates may be invited. For getting a permanent residence, those who have received provincial nomination may have an advantage. 105,000 PRs are admitted by the Provincial Nominee Program every year. The yearly PNP admissions have increased steadily since the beginning of the program in 1998.
PNP is an effective tool for promoting economic development outside of urban centers by both federal and provincial governments. Including a draw this week, in which ITAs are received by only PNP candidates, two Express Entry draws were held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) currently. Skilled and qualified candidates who can help with local labour shortages and contribute to the economy of individual provinces are targeted by individual provinces.
Provincial Immigration Results between February 11 and 17
Saskatchewan
Under the Express Entry stream, 243 candidates were invited under the Occupations-In-Demand and 177 candidates were invited by the province on February 16 when the first Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) draw for 2023 took place. From candidates of both streams, a minimum score of 84 is required.
Prince Edward Island
On 16 February 2023, 222 candidates were invited through the Labour and Express Entry stream of the PEI PNP. Through the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur, 6 candidates were also invited with a minimum point threshold of 70.
An Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted by Express Entry candidates separately to the PEI PNP if they are wishing to be nominated by PEI. A score is awarded to candidates by EOI profiles which is based on PEI’s points grid and, the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply through the monthly draws just like the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of Express Entry.
British Columbia
To apply for a provincial nomination, 232 candidates were invited by British Columbia on February 14. 183 candidates were invited by the province in a draw targeted at tech occupations. Candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduates categories were issued invitations which also included Express Entry candidates.
For candidates in all the categories, a minimum SIRS score of 83 is required. The SIRS score system is only used for British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program but it is equivalent to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System. In British Columbia, skilled immigration is comprised of 5 streams for people with diverse skills and experience.
Four of these streams provide the option of Express Entry BC. Within an eligible NOC code for Express Entry, the 5th stream is for Semi-Skilled and Entry-Level which means they lack work experience.
Provinces held rounds of invitations for candidates, working in the occupations mentioned below:
- 29 early childhood educators and assistants with 60 points minimum
- 20 healthcare workers from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories including the Express Entry category with 60 points minimum
- Other occupations with 60 points minimum.
