Canada PNP Monthly Roundup: April 2023

PNPs play an essential 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 April 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:

• Ontario Human Capital
• Ontario Employer Job Offer
• Ontario Entrepreneur

April 2023 Draws:

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) candidates under five separate draws this month, and invited a total of 2,998 candidates through the following streams:

• Masters Graduate stream- 752 invited through 1 general draw
• Ph.D. Graduate steam- 131 invited through 1 general draw
• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream- 6 invited through 1 draw targeted from Economic Mobility Pathway Project Candidates
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream – 295 invited through 1 general draw

To date as of the end of April 2023:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream – 1,330
• Employer Job Offer: International Student stream – 1,526
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream – 295
• Masters Graduate stream – 1,444
• Ph.D. Graduate stream – 131

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.

April 2023 Draws:

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued a total of 1,659 invitations through 4 nominee draws this month.

Manitoba’s draws invited candidates eligible under three nominee streams:

• Skilled Workers in Manitoba;
• Skilled Workers Overseas; and
• International Education

MPNP also held a special Ukrainian draw for those affected by the war in Ukraine. A total of 28 Letters of Advice to Apply were issued for this type in April. 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 into three categories:

• Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker
• Saskatchewan Experience
• Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm

April 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 138 candidates and targeted individuals with an Educational Credential Assessment and work experience in an in-demand occupation.

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 into three categories:

• PEI Express Entry
• PEI Labour Impact
• PEI Business Impact

April 2023 Draws:

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held one nominee draws this month.

The PEI PNP issued a total of 180 invitations through the Express Entry & Labour streams.

An additional 9 candidates were invited under the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur stream.

Alberta

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held five Express Entry stream draws this April 2023.

The AAIP issued a total of 405 invitations to apply for nomination this month. The lowest-ranking candidate had a CRS score of 301. Draws had a wide range of parameters which included requiring a job offer, Designated Healthcare Pathway candidates, and targeted sector priority occupations.

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!