Five Canadian Provinces Extend Invitations through Provincial Immigration Programs
In the latest round of invitations, five Canadian provinces have selected candidates through their provincial immigration initiatives. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) enable provincial governments to choose economic immigration candidates who are best suited to integrate into the provincial economy and contribute to the workforce. For 2023, over 105,000 new permanent residents are expected to be admitted to Canada via the PNP.
Quebec follows a unique agreement with the federal government, allowing the province to select all economic immigrants who wish to settle there. The provinces involved in the recent round of invitations are Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Alberta.
Ontario Immigration Update: April 1-7
Ontario has invited 883 candidates in total through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) under the Master’s Graduate and PhD candidate streams. The province has also announced a $25 million investment over three years to double the number of skilled immigrants, expedite processing, and enhance security.
British Columbia Immigration Update: April 1-7
British Columbia invited 175 candidates through the BC PNP, targeting skilled workers, international graduates, and entry-level and semi-skilled candidates. The province also had two targeted draws for early childhood educators, assistants, and healthcare workers.
Quebec Immigration Update: April 1-7
Quebec invited 619 candidates via the Quebec Regular Skilled Workers Program, focusing on specific TEER NOC codes across various in-demand sectors. Candidates needed a valid job offer and a minimum score of 578.
New Brunswick Immigration Update: April 1-7
New Brunswick invited 186 candidates through the NB PNP, with a 67% increase in its PNP allocation for 2023. This is in response to the multi-year PNP program proposed by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Alberta Immigration Update: April 1-7
Alberta invited 150 candidates through the Express Entry stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), requiring candidates to have a family connection, a primary occupation in demand, and meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System cut-off score of 372.