British Columbia and Prince Edward Island have invited candidates in the most recent round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws.

Immigration is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the provinces and both forms of government see the PNP as an efficient method for selecting the candidates who will fulfill the immigration minister’s mandate of welcoming newcomers who will contribute to Canada’s economy.

PNPs allow provinces to select economic immigration candidates who they feel will have a positive impact on the provincial economy and integrate easily. This makes them more likely to settle in the province.

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Receiving a provincial nomination makes it more likely that an Express Entry candidate will get an invitation to apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is because Express Entry candidates in the PNP automatically receive an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in upcoming Express Entry draws.

Provincial Nominee Programs have the largest target for permanent resident admissions in the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025. In 2023, over 105,000 PNP candidates are expected to be welcomed under the plan, rising to 117,000 per year by the end of 2025.

Provincial immigration results March 25-31

British Columbia

British Columbia invited more than 211 candidates under the BC PNP on March 30. The province typically holds weekly draws.

Among the candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate stream (including EEBC option), 165 were invited in a targeted draw for tech occupations. Candidates required a minimum score of 65 under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), which works much like the Comprehensive Ranking System.

The province also invited candidates working in the following occupations.

• 23 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) with scores of at least 60 points;
• 23 healthcare workers from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, including Express Entry category, with scores of at least 60 points and;
• Other priority occupations with scores of at least 60

Prince Edward Island

Also on March 30, Prince Edward Island invited 113 candidates under the PEI PNP Labour and Express Entry stream.

This is the third draw in March for PEI, which is unusual for the province, as it typically only holds draws once a month.

It is also the second draw in March that did not include candidates from PEI’s business work permit entrepreneur stream. Again, this is unusual for the province, as it nearly always includes candidates from this stream in each draw. The last time this occurred was in December 2022.

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