Canada's Provincial Immigration Updates: British Columbia, Alberta, & Quebec Issue Nominations
This week, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta extended invitations to provincial immigration candidates through their respective nomination programs.
Gurmeet Sharma
Overview of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
With the exception of Nunavut and Quebec, all Canadian provinces and territories utilize Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs allow provinces to nominate skilled immigrants who can address local labor market needs and demographic challenges. Quebec, under a unique agreement with the federal government, manages its economic immigration independently of the PNP framework.
Provincial Immigration Results from May 25 to May 31
British Columbia
On May 28, British Columbia conducted two draws through its British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP).
- General Draw:
- Invitations: 35
- Streams and Minimum Scores:
- Skilled Worker (131)
- Skilled Worker – Express Entry BC (EEBC) option (131)
- International Graduate (131)
- International Graduate – EEBC option (131)
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (110)
In addition to the general draw, B.C. issued invitations in targeted occupational categories:
- Childcare Occupations: 11 invitations (minimum score: 93)
- Construction Occupations: 11 invitations (minimum score: 93)
- Healthcare Occupations: 9 invitations (minimum score: 100)
- Veterinary Care Occupations: Less than 5 invitations (minimum score: 80)
Quebec
Quebec published the results of a draw conducted on April 25, with data extracted from the Arrima bank on April 22.
- Invitations: 1,415
- Criteria for Invitations:
- Oral French proficiency level of 7 or higher (based on Québec’s French proficiency scale)
- Score of 598 points or higher
Additional invitations were issued to candidates with a French proficiency level of 7 or above who also had a valid job offer outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. Successful candidates can now apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate, a prerequisite for applying for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Alberta
Alberta, which retroactively releases its provincial immigration draw results, posted the outcomes of a May 1 draw.
- Invitations: 40 Notification of Interest (NOI) letters
- Category: Dedicated healthcare pathway with an Alberta job offer
- Minimum CRS Score: 305
