4 Canadian Provinces Invite Immigrants Through Provincial Programs

Four Canadian provinces have issued invitations to apply (ITAs) to allow aspiring candidates through the provincial programs (PNPs). The four provinces are British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island.

Quebec: On November 24, Quebec invited 998 skilled workers to apply for permanent residence and issued additional 513 invitations to apply on December 1. The candidates who received the invitation to apply from Quebec must submit their applications and pay the fee within 60 days.

British Columbia: On December 6, British Columbia invited over 188 candidates to apply for provincial nomination. Among 188, 144 candidates were a part of the targeted tech draw.

The selected candidates for invitations to apply were from the two categories - Skilled Workers and International Graduates and which includes Express Entry candidates. The tech draw candidates had a minimum SIRS score of 95.

In September 2022, British Columbia held three separate draws under the PNP. These were targeted draws for the candidates having the job offers in the province. The highest draw was with 361 invitations to apply, and the candidates were from tech occupations. The rest of the candidates were from healthcare and those with NOC 4124.

Manitoba: Under the Manitoba Provincial Program, 305 candidates received the invitations.

In September 2022, Manitoba issued 278 invitations, from which 217 skilled workers were eligible under Manitoba Stream, and another 20 were invited under the International Education Stream.

Below are the latest selections in subdivided categories -

• 206 invitations were issued for skilled workers in Manitoba with a minimum score of 775.
• 43 invitations were issued for skilled workers overseas with a minimum score of 673.
• 56 invitations were issued for candidates through the International Education Stream. There is no requirement for a score.

Prince Edward Island: On December 1, 69 candidates received invitations through the Labour and Express Entry Streams. In total, the province has invited 1721 candidates in 2022.

What are Provincial Nomination Programs?

Unlike Quebec and Nunavut, most Canadian provinces and territories execute their own Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP). The provincial programs invite aspiring foreign nationals to apply for provincial nomination. The candidates were invited to apply for provincial nomination and also have a chance to apply for permanent residence.

The Provincial Nominee Program invites over 1,05,000 PR admissions per year. It was an initiative in 1998, and there has been an increase in PNP admission since then. Federal and provincial governments see it as a key to promoting economic development.

Canada to welcome 2,00,000 work permit holders

Recently, Canada announced a new immigration rule effective from January 2023. It is a temporary work permit that allows principal visa holders' family members (spouses and work-age children) to work in Canada. The temporary work permit is for workers at all skill levels in the occupational fields - including healthcare, traders, hospitality, etc. The government expects 2,00,000 foreign workers through this new immigration rule.

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