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CIC News / 2017 / March / Western Canadian Provinces Continue to Have Active PNPs

Western Canadian Provinces Continue to Have Active PNPs

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moraine-banff-abThe month of March has so far been another busy one when it comes to immigration to Canada’s western provinces. Recent activity among the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) out west will allow a diverse range of workers and graduates to immigrate to a region that is becoming increasingly popular among new immigrants to Canada, with job opportunities and high living standards cited as reasons for this trend.

So far this month, there have been draws in British Columbia (BC) and Manitoba — these provinces continue to invite individuals and families, both in Canada and abroad, to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. In addition, Alberta continues to process applications through its various streams and categories. Further, Saskatchewan introduced an application fee for two of its popular international skilled worker streams — a sign that these streams will continue to open for new applications throughout 2017.

Together, these four provinces make up the region of Western Canada.

By obtaining a provincial nomination, an individual and his or her family, if applicable, may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent resident status. This year, Canada plans to welcome up to 51,000 newcomers through the PNPs, around a seven percent increase on the 2016 target.

British Columbia

On March 8, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its fourth draw for foreign workers and graduates in just five weeks. Another draw then took place on March 22. In total, 2,074 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the BC PNP have been issued since the beginning of February. Around half of these ITAs were issued to international graduates who completed their studies in Canada.

All 377 ITAs issued on March 8 were issued across a range of BC PNP sub-categories managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), a unique system used to rank and select candidates under certain BC PNP sub-categories.

The March 22 round of invitations included 12 candidates who had made an Expression of Interest under the Entrepreneur Stream, which is not managed through the SIRS. The remaining 425 ITAs were issued under SIRS sub-categories of the BC PNP.

Some invited individuals are now in a position to submit their BC PNP provincial nomination application through one of the enhanced BC PNP sub-categories aligned with the federal Express Entry selection system, thereby benefiting from an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which in turn means the candidate is first in line to receive an ITA at the federal Express Entry level. The remaining candidates will have their applications for permanent residence processed outside the Express Entry system.

Learn more about the BC PNP categories managed under the SIRS system:

A qualifying job offer from a BC employer is required for the above categories. Potential applicants can use the SIRS Calculator to determine what their score might be if they were to register under the SIRS.

The BC PNP also accepts applications from eligible post-graduates on an ongoing basis through its Express Entry-aligned category and its Skills Immigration category for Master’s and PhD graduates. Eligible applicants to these categories do not need a job offer.

Manitoba

Like BC, Manitoba also operates a unique ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) system for the skilled worker immigration categories of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This system is divided into two categories, allowing skilled workers in Manitoba, as well as skilled workers overseas, to submit an EOI and, if invited, an application for a MPNP nomination certificate.

Candidates eligible for one of the MPNP for Skilled Workers sub-categories are ranked according to a unique points system that awards up to 1,000 points.

On March 16, a total of 313 candidates in the system were issued a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA, more informally known as an invitation) based on the number of points they had been awarded. A total of 250 candidates, each of whom had at 684 or more points, were issued a LAA under the criteria for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category. The remaining 63 LAAs were issued to candidates in the Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category who were invited directly under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, and who had at least 703 points.

Alberta

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has continued to process hundreds of applications to completion this month, with more than 1,300 applications successfully processed to completion so far this year. The AINP’s Strategic Recruitment Stream, Employer-Driven Stream, and Self-Employed Farmer Stream include categories that aim to welcome workers across a range of industries, as well as international graduates and post-graduates.

The AINP streams are all “base” streams, meaning they are not aligned with the Express Entry immigration selection system. Indeed, Alberta does not currently process any applications through the federal Express Entry system.

Saskatchewan

Earlier this month, the government of Saskatchewan announced a new application fee of $300 CAD will come into force on April 1 for two popular sub-categories of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). The fee will be mandatory for applicants to the International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category and the International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand sub-category. Until this point, there has been no application fee for these SINP sub-categories.

These sub-categories target newcomers who have work experience in an in-demand occupation. Moreover, no job offer is required for either sub-category.

Both of these SINP sub-categories have opened for new applications on numerous occasions since they were introduced in 2015. Intake quotas for these streams usually fill within a few days, or even hours on occasion. Consequently, potential applicants who prepare in advance by gathering and reviewing required documentation, and by keeping up to date with the program, are best positioned to immigrate to Canada through one of these SINP sub-categories.

The west is wide open

“Over recent years, there has been a steady move west among newcomers to Canada, as well as people already living here. The publicly available data bears this out. A shift is occurring, and the Provincial Nominee Programs are the driving force behind much of the population growth out west,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“When it comes to these programs, however, the importance of preparation cannot be overestimated. Take Saskatchewan, for example, where sub-categories frequently open and close without warning. Further, many of the applications received and invitations issued over recent weeks and months were through streams that are not aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

“Even for individuals eligible for Express Entry, there is no harm in also pursuing base PNP options, as well as enhanced categories. Individuals who are seriously considering immigrating to Canada would do well to have their options assessed across a range of programs and streams, including those that are aligned with Express Entry, as well as those that are not.”

To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada, fill out a free online assessment form.

© 2017 CICNews All Rights Reserved

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Comments

  1. Do you have any comments on the 57th Express Entry Draw as only one has taken place in March 2017?

  2. I want to immigrate to Canada but I don’t know how to go about it. If any assistance will be given to me I will be very grateful.

  3. I will like to show my skills as mechanical Maintenance engineer, on heavy duty machine equipment, like bulldozer, excavator, grader, power plant generator. thanks. I humbly wish to apply for your country Canada.

  4. I want to go to Canada

  5. je suis passionné d’immigré au canada

  6. I am a Malawian national.
    With below qualification ,but I don’t know if I can qualify for Canada immigration, though still interested to do more studies after work. Please if I do May you specify to me which immigration do I qualify for.
    1).driving
    2)care giver certificate
    3) loader experience((loading and offloading .
    4) Reefer Container Dispatch and tracking clerk(for 5 years).
    5) went for Fire Fighting course.

  7. Very informative of the ongoing programs

  8. When is second draw of express entry this month???

  9. How do I obtain a provincial nomination to either of the four province British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan?

    How do I. keep up with the program SINP?

  10. Dear Mr. David Cohen,

    I want to know that am I eligible to get visa of Canada through Provincial Nominee Program?

    Shahnavazkhan
    India

  11. Dear,
    Thanks for your Newsletter By Email,The following any category Am I Elligible immigration For Permanent resident BC Pnp in canada.or Any Province
    March 22 BC PNP Draw
    Stream/category Minimum score Number of invitations Aligned with Express Entry?
    Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker 85 104 Yes
    Express Entry BC – International Graduate 70 70 Yes
    Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 85 116 No
    Skills Immigration – International Graduate 70 94 No
    Above Catagory Canada immigration process time.
    Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 60 41 No
    BC Entrepreneur Immigration Stream 126 12 No

  12. i am 58year old elementary school teacher from india .what are my chances to ummigrate under Atlantic program.

  13. I want settle in canada.and want immigration.for canada.

  14. My name is Saul and I don’t have job but I would like to immigrate to Canada, I don’t have big qualification but I’m able to improve my skill there!
    I’m single and I want to know what must I do to be able to immigrate to Canada!
    Just give to me one opportunity

  15. What do you mean by strategic recruitment initiative under skilled workers overseas for Manitoba province.

  16. Hi
    I have already applied for manitoba province but draws are happening according to strategic recruitment. I want to know about it that how the draws are happening accordingly. i am elementary school teacher. kindly assist me.

    India

  17. Hi. I am a citizen of Nepal, now is it possible if I apply for a PR in Canada – in any stream – through your firm? We are a family of four. Is there any difference if my application is processed through a firm in Canada. Or, please suggest if its wise to consider consulting a firm here locally.
    Thanks in advance.

  18. Dear sir,

    I just want to can i apply ….
    Am i eligible for it …..

  19. I want immegrate to Canada but no one accept me

  20. I am from Azerbaijan. I am 32. I am single. I need job in Canada. Please help me.

  21. Sir,
    I have been invited by BC province to challenge my certification exams. should it apply for visitor visa or work permit(open) to CIC, Thanks

  22. Am I eligible for the next entry draw? I want to go to Canada

  23. I wish that I can goooooooooooo to CANDA

  24. My names is Abdirahmaan ahmed mohamed I went visa in canada because I am student then so please accept

  25. My name is abdirahmaan ahmed mohamed I from Somalia I am.18.i am student I need job in Canada please help me

  26. I want to move Canada but I don’t know under Which program i can apply

  27. what suggestion is to candidate who applied in march 2016 under pei under express entry skilled labour. how much time it vl take for ITA.

  28. Hello sir or madam
    I am Mohammad Jashim biswas
    I like to work in Canada. How can I get a work visa. Can you help me please

    Thank you

  29. i am want to immigrate Canada, if i get assistance, i can encourage to applicate.

  30. I seriously long to get my masters degree in Canada and I don’t know how to get about it. I’ll appreciate all the necessary assistance given to me.

  31. Thanks for the mail. I am a Doctor of Optometry. I have filled the free assessment form before now with a potentially hopeful result. How do i get into these draws? And how can you help me? Thanks

  32. dear sair :
    i am from jordan, and i like visit canada For migration purposes,what is the simple ways for that.
    thanks

  33. I derive joy in salesmanship and I want an opportunity to work in Canada were my best will be appreciated

  34. I am a plumber but i do not know how go about it…kindly need more enlightment

  35. I would like to come to Canada to work as aneeded early childhood trained with a diploma degree and other qualifications in this field. Also 23 years of working experience.

  36. I want to Immigrate to canada but i don’t how to go about it .please Help me how to go about it. Thank you

  37. Hi,
    Greetings!

    This is Shabina an MBA with 6+ years of experience in Human Resource currently working in KSA as a school teacher. Looking for a suitable job in Canada with a score of 7.5 in IELTS also my ECA have been verified by WES along with Canadian immigration in process.
    Would like to know if you can assist us with some placement consultants who hire overseas.

  38. Hi,
    This is Younus a BBA with 9+ years of experience in Customer Service, Technical Support, Administration, Project Management currently working in KSA as a Project Management Officer. Looking for a suitable job in Canada with a score of 6.5 in IELTS also my ECA have been verified by WES along with Canadian immigration in process.

  39. My PNP got approved for Alberta province.
    Now only last Phase is pending to get my PR.
    Salary on my PNP shows $26 per hour, is that will be my Salary or it might change from the job offer.
    How much time it takes to get a PR after PNP is Approved.

  40. l love Canada

  41. Hello dear sir,
    My name kramuddin Noori, from Afghanistan, i was working as security with canadian private security company and i was working as convoy interpretar with supreem company and i have alots of experiunce with canadian and USA company
    Like Tundra cecurity company, SSSI company, Afghan Naween, Copass, Golobale, blu Haikal, now im working as security manager with Megaviation Halicopter Company, i want to helo me to come to canada because the situation of Afghanstan not good please helpe me how can i come to Canada
    Regard
    Kramuddin Noori

  42. nice one

  43. I wanna go outside to Manitoba at morden city

  44. i’m very interested to immigrate to canada with my wife and 2 babies actually i’m working in banking secter.i’m waiting foraward for your answer.

  45. Hallo,I am a Kenya citizen and a holder of a law degree.Ready to work in any field.I would appreciate if given a chance.

  46. When the age of dependant going to be increased to 22.

  47. well appreciated. I am Joseph from Nigeria, I will like to come to Canada along with my family . Any help on that please ?