The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), established in 1998, enables provinces and territories to collaborate with the federal government on immigration responsibilities. This program aims to spread the benefits of immigration throughout Canada. While a provincial nomination does not directly grant permanent residency, it substantially enhances an applicant’s profile by adding 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Express Entry candidates, greatly increasing the likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency in future draws.
Recent Provincial Immigration Highlights
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Date: October 17, 2024
- Stream: Express Entry – Skilled Trades
- Invitations: 1,307 candidates
- CRS Range: 405-435
- Eligibility: Candidates must have work experience in specific occupations as outlined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
- Date: October 16, 2024
- Total Invitations: More than 190 candidates
- Draw Breakdown:
- General Selection: 102 candidates were invited across various streams.
- Targeted Draws: Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams (including Express Entry BC options) focused on candidates with professional experience in specific industries.
General draw
Newfoundland & Labrador Approaching Maximum Nomination Capacity for 2024
On October 8, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills announced that the province is nearing the limit of its allocated nominations for the year.
Each year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets an immigration target, which includes a quota for provincial nominations. These quotas vary by province based on factors like labor market needs and the province’s capacity to support new immigrants.
As Newfoundland and Labrador reaches the end of its 2024 allocation, the provincial immigration department will focus on applications in key labor shortage areas, such as:
- Healthcare
- Early Learning
- Construction
While applications will continue to be accepted under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), they won’t be processed until early 2025, except for those with extenuating circumstances. The standard 25-day processing time for the NLPNP will resume in January 2025.