Ontario and BC Issue Major PNP Invitations: Is Your Immigration Path Next?
Ontario and BC issue Provincial Nominee Program invitations while Newfoundland & Labrador nears its nomination limit. Find out key updates for 2024 PNP draws.
Gurmeet Sharma
This week, both the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) held draws, inviting candidates to apply for provincial nomination through their respective programs.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), established in 1998, enables provinces and territories to collaborate with the federal government on immigration matters. While a provincial nomination doesn't guarantee permanent residency, it provides a significant advantage by awarding Express Entry candidates an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This increase makes receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in future draws highly likely.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – October 17, 2024
On October 17, the OINP issued 1,307 invitations to candidates through the Express Entry: Skilled Trades stream. Eligible candidates had CRS scores between 405 and 435 and relevant work experience in specified National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
For a complete list of accepted occupations and their NOC codes, please refer to the official resource.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) – October 16, 2024
On October 16, BCPNP held two rounds of invitations, targeting over 190 candidates:
- General Draw: 102 candidates were invited across multiple streams. The minimum score requirements are listed below:
| Stream | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 127 |
| Skilled Worker – EEBC option | 127 |
| International Graduate | 127 |
| International Graduate – EEBC option | 127 |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | 110 |
- Targeted Draws: These were conducted for specific industries through the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams (including the EEBC option).
| Industry | Minimum Score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare | 83 | 38 |
| Construction | 89 | 21 |
| Healthcare | 99 | 28 |
| Veterinary Care | 80 | <5 |
Newfoundland & Labrador Approaches Maximum Provincial Allocation
In a recent update from the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills of Newfoundland and Labrador, it was announced that the province is nearing its maximum allocation of provincial nominations for 2024.
Each year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets a target for the number of new permanent residents, including those arriving through the PNP. The allocation for each province depends on factors such as labour market needs and the province’s capacity to accommodate new residents.
Prioritization of Key Sectors
With the limited nominations remaining, Newfoundland and Labrador will prioritize applicants in critical sectors facing labour shortages, including health care, early learning, and construction. Applications from individuals with urgent or extenuating circumstances will still be processed.
All other applications under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) will be accepted, but processing will not resume until 2025. The department has announced that the standard 25-day processing time for the NLPNP will return in January 2025.
