This past week, three Canadian provinces held Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, inviting candidates to take the next step toward permanent residence.
Most Canadian provinces and territories (except for Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs. Provincial officials who manange these programs invite interested candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. While a provincial nomination is not the same as permanent residence, it can greatly increase one’s chances of obtaining permanent residency status.
For instance, PNP candidates with Express Entry profiles who receive a nomination get 600 points added to their score. They also become eligible to be invited to apply for a PNP-specific round of invitations. In the Express Entry draw this week, Canada invited 924 PNP candidates to apply with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of at least 754.
Here are the draw results from Alberta, BC, and Prince Edward Island.
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Alberta
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) invited 350 Express Entry candidates to apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream on March 8.
Express Entry candidates needed a CRS score of at least 318 in order to be invited to apply for a provincial nomination from Alberta.
To apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream, candidates need to have work experience in an eligible occupation. The AAIP does not provide a list of eligible occupations, rather it offers a list of occupations that are not eligible for the stream.
Factors that increase the likelihood of being nominated include: having work experience; a Canadian education; or a job offer in Alberta. It also helps to have a family member already living in Alberta, such as a parent, child, or sibling.
Candidates also need to meet the eligibility requirements for Express Entry. The minimum CRS score required to be considered is 300. Express Entry candidates may receive an invitation if they state in their profile that they have an interest in moving permanently to Alberta.
BC
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held its weekly round of invitations on March 14. About 175 BC immigration candidates received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination.
A total of 123 of these candidates were invited through a BC Tech draw. Candidates invited through BC’s Tech draws must meet the requirements of one of British Columbia’s Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories, which are managed through the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Candidates who received invitations in this draw were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and needed a minimum provincial score of 85.
The province also held three draws for candidates in targeted occupations. Twenty-seven early childhood educators who may qualify for the Skilled Worker and International Graduate sub-categories were invited. BC also invited 21 healthcare professionals who may be eligible for the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, or the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled sub-categories. In both of these draws, candidates needed a minimum provincial score of 85.
In addition, less than five health care assistants were invited to apply for the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled sub-category. These candidates needed scores of at least 63 in order to be invited.
PEI
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) invited a total of 141 immigration candidates on March 17.
Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates received the most invitations, with a combined total of 130. The remaining 11 invitations went to Business Impact candidates who had provincial scores of at least 62 points.
PEI holds about one draw per month and releases its schedule for the year in advance.
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