British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island issue invitations for provincial immigration

Four provinces issue ITAs in most recent draws. (Pexels photo)

British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island have issued invitations to apply to candidates through provincial immigration programs this week.

Most Canadian provinces and territories (except for Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs. Through these programs, interested candidates may be invited to apply for provincial nomination. Receiving a provincial nomination can be advantageous for gaining permanent residence.

Quebec’s immigration programs are administered by the province and are distinct from Canada’s immigration programs. Quebec is the only province that has control over all economic class immigrants.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) accounts for 105,000 PR admissions per year. It began in 1998 and the annual number of PNP admissions has since increased steadily. Both federal and provincial governments consider it an effective tool to promote economic development outside of urban centers.

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Provincial immigration results December 1-December 8

Quebec

Quebec invited 998 skilled workers to apply for permanent selection on November 24 and an additional 513 on December 1.

The draw on November 24 did not target specific NOCs, but candidates required job offers outside of the Montreal Metropolitan Community and a minimum Arrima Expression of Interest score of 603 points.

The December 1 draw targeted candidates with specific NOCs who also had job offers outside of the Montreal Metropolitan Community. Candidates had to have profiles in the Arrima Expression of Interest system with scores of at least 589 points.

The invitations were issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to immigration candidates applying under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

Those invited to apply for permanent selection by Quebec have a maximum of 60 days to submit their application and pay processing fees. Quebec aims to process complete applications within six months, starting on the date all the required information has been received. This includes all forms and documents.

British Columbia

More than 188 candidates were invited to apply for provincial nomination in British Columbia on December 6.

The province invited 144 candidates in a targeted tech draw. The invitations were issued to candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduates categories and included Express Entrycandidates.

Candidates in the tech draw had minimum SIRS scores of 95. SIRS acts much like the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) but is only used for British Columbia’s PNP.

The province also held rounds of invitations for candidates working in the following occupations.

• 32 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) with scores of at least 60 points;
• 12 healthcare workers from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, including Express Entry category, with scores of at least 60 points and;
• Other priority occupations with minimum scores of 60.

Manitoba

Manitoba invited a total of 305 candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program. To be invited, candidates must meet a baseline of criteria specific to their program. In total, the province invited:

• Skilled Workers in Manitoba issued 206 invitations with a minimum score of 775
• Skilled Workers Overseas issued 43 invitations with a minimum score of 673
• International Education Stream issued 56 invitations with no score requirement.

Out of all who were invited to apply, 31 had profiles in the Express Entry system.

The province will continue to process all Expressions of Interest (EOI) received before November 16 under the NOC 2016. Any EOIs received on or after November 16 will be evaluated under NOC 2021.

Prince Edward Island

On December 1, Prince Edward Island invited 69 candidates through the Labour and Express Entry streams. This brings the total number of candidates invited by the province so far in 2022 to 1,721.

Express Entry candidates who wish to be nominated by PEI must submit a separate Expression of Interest (EOI) to the PEI PNP.

EOI profiles are awarded a score based on PEI’s points grid and, like the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply through monthly draws.

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