Ontario and British Columbia Hold Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws

This week, Ontario and British Columbia conducted draws through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), inviting candidates to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Understanding the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), launched in 1998, gives provinces and territories the ability to share immigration responsibilities with the federal government. This program helps attract immigrants to various regions across Canada, addressing local labor market needs.

While a provincial nomination doesn't guarantee permanent residency, it plays a crucial role for candidates applying through Express Entry. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, making it almost certain they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a future draw.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) - October 17, 2024

On October 17, Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 1,307 invitations to candidates through the Express Entry: Skilled Trades stream. Eligible candidates had CRS scores between 405 and 435 and relevant work experience in specific National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes.

For those interested, a full list of eligible occupations and their NOC codes can be found on Ontario’s official website.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) - October 16, 2024

On October 16, British Columbia held two separate draws under its Provincial Nominee Program.

The first draw was a general selection across several streams, with 102 candidates invited. The minimum required scores for various categories are as follows:

• Skilled Worker: 127
• Skilled Worker (Express Entry BC option): 127
• International Graduate: 127
• International Graduate (EEBC option): 127
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 110
  
  

In addition to the general draw, British Columbia held targeted draws for candidates with experience in specific industries, including healthcare, childcare, construction, and veterinary care. Here’s a breakdown:

Newfoundland and Labrador Nears Nomination Cap for 2024

In a recent update, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that it has nearly reached its provincial nomination cap for 2024. Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets a target for the number of permanent residents to be admitted through various programs, including the PNP.

Each participating province receives a specific allocation based on factors such as labor market needs and the capacity to support new immigrants. Quebec and Nunavut do not participate in the PNP.

With limited nominations left for 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador’s immigration department will focus on applications in sectors facing critical labor shortages, such as healthcare, early childhood education, and construction. Other applications under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) will still be accepted but will not be processed until 2025. The 25-day processing standard for the NLPNP will resume in January 2025.