British Columbia & Manitoba Invite Candidates Through PNPs

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are immigration programs designed to select individuals whose skills and experience align with the labor market needs of specific Canadian provinces and territories. Established in 1998, PNPs aim to spread the economic benefits of immigration more evenly across Canada by allowing provinces to nominate candidates who wish to settle in their region.

Check if you qualify for a Canadian PNP program

Being nominated by a province does not guarantee permanent residence. Candidates must still go through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) immigration formalities. However, it significantly boosts their application, as those who receive a provincial nomination secure an additional 600 CRS points, ensuring an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.

Manitoba | via Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Earlier this month, the province held three immigration draws, inviting a total of 274 candidates. The first draw targeted skilled workers in Manitoba under occupation-specific selection, focusing on National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021-unit group 60030 – restaurant and food service managers. A total of 41 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued, with the lowest score being 672.

The second draw was for the International Education stream, where 188 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued to eligible candidates. The third draw focused on the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, where 45 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued through a strategic recruitment initiative. Candidates needed a minimum score of 703 to receive an invitation.

Explore Manitoba’s PNP

British Columbia | via British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)

On November 20, the province through its British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), held a category-based draw for the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including the EEBC option. At least 16 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with cutoff scores varying by industry and profession.

Explore British Columbia’s PNP

Candidates can apply to the BC PNP either directly through the base program or by linking their application to their Express Entry profile via the Express Entry BC (EEBC) option. The EEBC stream offers eligible applicants the advantage of faster processing for both their BC PNP application and, if nominated, their Permanent Residence application.

Check if you qualify for Express Entry

How does Canada’s PNP Programs work?

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are established to suffice the immigration requirements of the participating province or territory. All provinces of Canada (except Quebec, which has its own immigration programs) as well as territories (except Nunavut) has their own Provincial or Territorial Nominee Programs. The participating provinces and territories sign agreements with Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) enabling them to select candidates from the Express Entry pool that meets their requirements. Once a candidate receives the “Provincial Nomination Certificate”, he or she is required to make a separate application to IRCC.

Types of Canada’s PNP programs

Provincial Nominee Programs can be broadly classified into 2:

Regular Nominations: These are provincial nominee programs that are not Express Entry aligned. That is, the candidate selection and subsequent application processing happens at provincial levels, depending on the program’s timelines and criteria defined by the provincial government alone. They are also known as “base nominations”.

Enhanced Nominations: Every participating province or territory has at least one immigration program/stream that is Express Entry aligned. Enhanced Nominee Programs are provincial nominee programs that are Express Entry aligned. The provincial and territorial governments have visibility into the Express Entry pool through these programs. When a province or territory nominates an individual (based on his or her credentials and/or circumstances and/or interests), he or she receives the provincial or territorial nomination certificate. Once the candidate has a provincial or territorial nomination certificate, he or she can apply for Canadian permanent residence based on the nomination. Successful applicants will receive 600 points to their Express Entry profile, triggering an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Check if you qualify for a Canadian PNP Program. Check out Owlspriority Immigration’s Canada Settlement Resources to learn about finding employment in Canada, making your initial days stress-free, etc.