Express Entry-aligned provincial nominee streams having a busy February

Canada's provincial nominee programs have been active over the past few weeks, with invitation rounds taking place in Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario.

Combined, the three provinces have issued more than 900 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence since the start of February.

Many of these invitations were issued through so-called "enhanced" nomination streams that allow provinces to nominate candidates in the federal Express Entry system, which manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada's main economic immigration categories — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and are effectively moved to the front of the line for an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence (ITA).

A good example of how these points can be beneficial is the recent three-week gap between Express Entry invitation rounds that followed the January 30 draw.

More time between draws allows the Express Entry pool to replenish with higher-scoring candidates, which can have the effect of increasing the cut-off score.

However, Express Entry candidates who obtain the additional 600 points for a provincial nomination are effectively guaranteed an ITA regardless of the minimum score drawn.

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool

Manitoba

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held its third Expression of Interest draw of 2019 on February 15 and Express Entry candidates were among the 268 invited through the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream.

Express Entry candidates who received a Letter of Advice to Apply for a provincial nomination in this draw were required to have a valid Express Entry ID and job seeker validation code, and at least six months of recent work experience in a profession on the province’s in-demand occupation list.

In order to be considered for a provincial nomination from Manitoba, Express Entry candidates must register a separate Expression of Interest (EOI) with the MPNP.

The February 15 EOI draw brought the number of immigration candidates invited by the MPNP this year to just over 1,500.

British Columbia

The province of British Columbia has also had an active February, holding three draws between February 5 and February 19 that issued a combined total of 369 invitations.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) holds draws on a weekly basis for candidates in its Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams.

These weekly draws typically target candidates in the EEBC: Skilled Worker and EEBC: International Graduate categories.

For more information on EEBC eligiblity requirements, visit this dedicated page.

Ontario

Ontario's French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream has also been active in February, issuing a total of 90 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination in two draws.

This stream is one of three Express Entry-aligned immigration pathways in Ontario and allows the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to select French-speaking candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Class or Canadian Experience Class who have strong English abilities and eligible skilled work experience, among other criteria.

In order to be invited to apply for a provincial nomination through Ontario's French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, and many other Express Entry-aligned immigration streams, the first step is to enter a profile in the Express Entry pool.

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool