Ontario, BC & Manitoba Issue PNP Invitations | Canada Immigration News

Three Canadian provinces—Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba—have recently issued invitations in their latest rounds of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. These invitations are part of a broader initiative where both Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial governments share responsibility for managing immigration. While Quebec operates its own immigration program, all other provinces and territories in Canada participate in PNPs.

Each province receives a specific allocation of nominations, which are distributed to economic immigration applicants based on factors such as the province's population and workforce needs. For instance, Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, typically receives the largest number of nominations.

According to Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, IRCC aims to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents through the PNP this year. However, it’s essential to understand that receiving a nomination from a provincial government is not the same as obtaining an invitation to apply for permanent residency from IRCC. These are two separate processes requiring distinct applications.

Provincial Immigration Results (August 24-30)

Ontario

On August 22, Ontario issued 1,287 notifications of interest to candidates in the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). To be considered, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 400 and 435 and required work experience in a targeted occupation with a specific National Occupation Classification (NOC) code.

British Columbia

British Columbia invited over 158 candidates to apply for provincial nomination through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) on August 27. The invitations were extended to Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates, including those under the Express Entry BC stream. The province conducted five targeted draws for specific occupations, with varying minimum scores:

• 40 candidates in childcare occupations (minimum score: 83)
• 31 candidates in construction occupations (minimum score: 88)
• 18 candidates in healthcare occupations (minimum score: 99)
• 69 candidates in tech occupations (minimum score: 118)
• Fewer than five candidates in veterinary care occupations (minimum score: 80)

Manitoba

On August 30, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted a draw, inviting 150 candidates from two PNP streams. The draw included:

• 126 candidates from the International Education Stream (no minimum score reported)
• 24 candidates from the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative (minimum score: 727)

Among all the invitations issued by Manitoba, 21 went to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile.

These provincial draws highlight the ongoing opportunities for skilled workers and graduates looking to secure a pathway to permanent residency in Canada through the PNP system.