British Columbia and Prince Edward Island have invited candidates for the most recent round of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw.
Immigration is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the provinces, and both types of government view the PNP as an efficient method of selecting candidates who will fulfill the Minister of Immigration’s mandate to welcome newcomers who will contribute to the Canadian economy. Will fulfill
PNPs allow provinces to select economic immigration candidates they feel will make a positive impact on the provincial economy and integrate easily. This makes them more likely to settle in the province.
Obtaining a provincial nomination makes it more likely that an Express Entry candidate will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is because the Express Entry candidates in PNP automatically get an additional 600 marks in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to receive an invitation to the Application for Permanent Residence (ITA) in the upcoming Express Entry draw.
Provincial Nominee Programs have the largest target for permanent resident entry in the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025. In 2023, more than 105,000 PNP candidates are expected to be welcomed under the scheme, rising to 117,000 per year by the end of 2025.
Provincial Immigration Results March 25-31
British Columbia
British Columbia invited over 211 candidates under the BC PNP on March 30. Weekly draws are usually held in the province.
165 candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate stream (including EEBC option) were invited in a targeted draw for technical occupations. Candidates need a minimum score of 65 under the Skilled Immigration Registration System (SIRS), which acts as a comprehensive ranking system.
The province also invites candidates working in the following occupations.
- 23 Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) with a score of at least 60 points;
- 23 Healthcare Workers from Skilled Worker, International Graduate, including Express Entry Category, with a score of at least 60 marks and;
- Other priority occupations with a score of at least 60
Prince Edward Island
Also on March 30, Prince Edward Island invited 113 candidates under PEI PNP Labor and Express Entry stream.
This is the third draw in March for PEI, which is unusual for the province, as it usually only draws once a month.
This is also the second draw in March that did not include candidates from PEI’s Business Work Permit Entrepreneur stream. Again, this is unusual for the province, as it almost always includes candidates from this stream in every draw. The last time this happened in December 2022.