Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Canada PNP Monthly Roundup: March 2023
PNPs play a vital role in Canadian immigration by allowing each province or territory to nominate individuals they would like to immigrate to their respective territory or province. Here is our roundup of all the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw results for the month of March 2023.
What Are Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)?
Provincial Nominee Programs allow each Canadian province to set their own requirements for their different immigration streams. Each Canadian province, except Quebec and Nunavut, has different nominee programs that operate in different ways. Many have programs that target international graduates, businesspeople, or in-demand work experience. Other targeted factors often depend on labour market or demographic gaps in the province. For example, Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream targets skilled workers with a strong proficiency in French to help increase their Francophone population.
Immigration through a Provincial Nominee Program makes up a large portion of Canada’s total economic immigration. Of a quarter of a million economic immigrants targeted for 2022, about 83,500 are reserved for those applying under a Provincial Nominee Program.
How Do Provincial Nominee Programs Operate?
Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) hold draws in which they invite candidates to apply to be nominated for Canadian permanent residence. Some PNPs require candidates to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile to be considered in these draws. Other programs invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool that haven’t even applied for consideration.
Ontario
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The province operates several immigration streams divided into three categories:
March 2023 Draws:
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) candidates under five separate draws this March, and invited a total of 2,998 candidates through the following streams:
- Human Capital Priorities stream- 1,637 invited through 2 draws targeted for health and tech workers
- French- Speaking Skilled Work stream- 615 invited through 2 targeted draws. For a list of targeted occupations, please view the list here.
- Skilled Trades stream- 746 NOIs issued in one draw. CRS scores ranged from 250-489
To date as of the end of March 2023:
- Human Capital Priorities stream – 3,539
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream – 615
- Skilled Trades stream – 2,974
Manitoba
Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas includes the following streams:
- Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas Stream
- Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
- Manitoba Human Capital Pathway
Applicants who are successful through any of these Manitoba streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Manitoba. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.
In order to be eligible for all three streams included in the Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas category, candidates must score a minimum of 60 points on the MPNP Points Assessment Grid.
March 2023 Draws:
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued a total of 1,197 invitations through 3 nominee draws this month.
Manitoba’s draws invited candidates eligible under three nominee streams:
MPNP also held a special Ukrainian draw for those affected by the war in Ukraine. A total of of 34 Letters of Advice to Apply were issued for this type in March. Expressions of Interest have only been considered for candidates that:
- are a citizen of Ukraine
- have a minimum of CLB 4 in each language band
- have a valid language test
- score at least 60 points according to MPNP assessment criteria
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, workers with job offers, and entrepreneurs. The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:
- Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker
- Saskatchewan Experience
- Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm
March 2023 Draws:
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) held 2 Expression of Interest (EOI) draws for candidates eligible under the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand categories. The 2 draws invited 496candidates and targeted individuals with an Educational Credential Assessment and work experience in an in-demand occupation.
British Columbia
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian Permanent Residents in BC. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The province operates several immigration streams divided among two categories:
March 2023 Draws:
The British Columbia Nominee Program (BCPNP) held a total of 8 nominee draws this March 2023, 6 of which targeted a set of in-demand occupations such as health care workers and tech occupations.
British Columbia issued more than 971 invitations in Expression of Interest (EOI) draws this month.
A majority of the BCPNP’s nominee draws this month targeted certain in-demand occupations, including:
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202)
- Healthcare workers (in 35 healthcare-related occupations)
- Other priority occupations including NOCs 31103, 32104)
- BCPNP tech occupations
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways that target immigrants with business acumen, skilled workers, and young graduates who are fresh from post-secondary education.
The PEI PNP gives prospective newcomers the chance to receive a provincial nomination through one of its many immigration streams, which may fast-track their path to Canadian permanent residence. The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:
March 2023 Draws:
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held two nominee draws this month.
The PEI PNP issued a total of 251 invitations through the Express Entry & Labour streams.
An additional 6 candidates were invited under the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur stream.
Alberta
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held two Express Entry stream draw this March 2023.
The AAIP issued a total of 284 invitations to apply for nomination in March. The lowest-ranking candidate had a CRS score of 301.
Quebec
Quebec operates a number of different immigration programs enabling eligible candidates to secure Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has granted the province of Quebec significantly more autonomy in immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration programs are often treated separately from other provinces’.
March 2023 Draws:
There were three draws held in March 2023 to apply for Quebec permanent selection. A total of 2,255 persons were invited to apply.
March 30h’s draw also targeted applicants with in-demand work experience. Applicants who indicated the following NOC codes and had a score above 578, were selected to apply:
- 2282 User support technicians
- 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
- 2281 Computer network technicians
- 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
- 2173 Software engineers and designers
- 2175 Web designers and developers
- 0213 Computer and information systems managers
- 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
- 5223 Graphic arts technicians
- 4031 Secondary school teachers
- 4032 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- 2141 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- 2132 Mechanical engineers
- 2131 Civil engineers
- 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- 2143 Mining engineers
- 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 3233 Licensed practical nurses
- 3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- 4214 Early childhood educators and assistants
How Can I Increase My Chances of Receiving a Nomination?
Just by submitting an Express Entry profile, you can increase your chances of receiving a provincial nomination. Provinces frequently scan the Express Entry pool and invite profiles that help respond to labour or demographic gaps. Ensuring your profile is strong and indicates your interest in multiple provinces can also help increase your chances of being invited through an Express Entry PNP.
Since many PNPs require candidates to have a connection to the province, studying or working in Canada can also help to increase your chances.
What Is The Ideal PNP Candidate?
The ideal PNP candidate is one that has work experience and skills that help a province respond to labour market or demographic needs. Other factors that may increase one’s chances include:
- Strong ties to the host province (ex. previous work experience, job offer, previous studies, family)
- Work experience in an in-demand occupation
- Strong English proficiency
- Proficiency in French
Interested in learning more about your options to immigrate to Canada through a Provincial Nominee Program or any other immigration program? Complete our free online assessment form today!
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