Applications for provincial immigration programs are now being accepted by three Canadian provinces.
In order to do this, British Columbia and Ontario both have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). In an effort to disperse the advantages of immigration throughout areas of Canada that had previously had low rates of immigration, PNPs were launched in 1998.
Provincial governments in Canada and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) share authority over immigration. Each participating province and territory receives a set number of nominations from the IRCC through the PNP. The provinces then choose the economic immigration candidates who have the best chance of assimilating into the Canadian economy.
A candidate does not automatically become a permanent residence just because their province nominated them. A candidate’s application for permanent residency will be substantially stronger if they are nominated, according to the IRCC. Indeed, candidates for Express Entry who also get a provincial nomination earn an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which practically guarantees them an ITA in the next Express Entry lottery.
Because of a separate arrangement it has with the federal government that gives it control over the selection of all its candidates for economic immigration, Quebec does not have a PNP. Additionally, it establishes its own guidelines for how many new applicants it will accept annually.
Results of provincial immigration, September 14–20
The Ontario
Candidates in the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate courses received invites from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on September 17.
Of these, 194 went to PhD candidates with a score of 45 or higher, while 1,249 were sent to Master’s graduate candidates with a score of 53 or higher.
On September 19, the province conducted a second draw for applicants in the OINP’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream. For 1,424 applicants in “other priority occupations,” it was a targeted draw.
They needed a CRS score in the range of 505-528 to be considered.
British Columbia
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) also held draws on September 17, inviting more than 163 candidates.
The largest draw was general and selected candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams of the BC PNP. Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates (both streams including those eligible for Express Entry BC) required a minimum score of 128.
Those in the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker stream needed a score of at least 110 to be considered.
Another three draws for Skilled Workers and International Graduates targeted for candidates in specific occupations:
- 43 candidates in childcare occupations with a score of at least 83
- 29 candidates in construction occupations with a score of at least 89
- 29 candidates in healthcare occupations with a score of at least 99
Quebec
The outcomes of the September 5 provincial selection draw for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program have been made public by Quebec. Results of selection draws are usually posted by Quebec after the fact.
1,417 persons were asked to apply for permanent selection by the province. A 575 point minimum score was required.
Furthermore, according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Québec’s scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants) or its equivalent, all candidates had to show that they could speak French at a level 7 (or higher) or above.
Candidates may also have been considered if they had a job offer outside of the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.