Four Provinces Issue Invitations to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

Recently, British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and Quebec extended invitations for candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence through provincial programs. Each province offers specific criteria and categories to address unique labor market needs.

In British Columbia, on October 22, the Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) invited around 125 applicants through a targeted draw focusing on the Skilled Worker and International Graduate Streams. Categories and scores included:

Childcare: 41 invitations, minimum score of 83
Construction: 10 invitations, minimum score of 89
Healthcare: 11 invitations, minimum score of 99
Tech: 60 invitations, minimum score of 117
Veterinary Care: Less than 5 invitations, minimum score of 80

Each category required a job offer in British Columbia, with minimum scores varying by field.

Manitoba conducted its 231st expression of interest draw on October 24, issuing 253 Letters of Advice to Apply across these streams:

Skilled Worker in Manitoba: 50 invitations, minimum score of 872
International Education: 156 invitations, no minimum score
Skilled Worker Overseas: 47 invitations, minimum score of 703

Of these, 210 invitations were under Manitoba’s base Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), while 43 were through its enhanced PNP.

Prince Edward Island held a draw on September 20, extending 48 invitations with a focus on candidates from specific sectors:

Healthcare
Construction
Trucking and Transportation (for candidates with work permits expiring soon)
International Graduate (for candidates with work permits expiring soon)

The minimum score for business candidates was 97, with 2 invitations in the business category and 46 in labor and Express Entry categories.

On September 19, Quebec invited 1,650 candidates through the Regular Skilled Worker Program. To qualify, applicants needed:

French proficiency: Minimum level 7 on the Quebec Scale of Proficiency (NCLC)
Score Requirements: A minimum score of 573 or a valid job offer outside Montreal

Unlike other provinces, Quebec manages its own immigration targets, so candidates do not need IRCC allocations.

About Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate candidates for Canadian permanent residence based on local economic needs. There are two types of PNPs:

1. Base PNPs: Candidates apply directly to the province and, if nominated, apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
2. Enhanced PNPs: Candidates must already have an Express Entry profile. Receiving a nomination adds 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC.

Generally, enhanced PNPs have shorter processing times, averaging 6 months, while base PNP applications may take around 12 months.

Quebec's Unique Immigration Program

Quebec operates its own immigration programs and does not require IRCC allocations. Successful candidates receive a The Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and use it to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

With these new invitation rounds, each province continues to tailor its programs to address specific labor demands, providing potential pathways to Canadian permanent residency for qualified candidates across diverse sectors.