Canada’s Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

The summer of 2018 has been busy for the PNP. The Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP) enables applicants for selection by participating Canadian Territories and Provinces for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada.

The Express Entry manages the pool of candidates in Canada and applicants obtaining a provincial nomination are awarded 600 additional points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which puts when in front of the line to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR in Canada.

Saskatchewan’s New Expression of Interest System (EOI)

Saskatchewan has moved towards accepting applications on first come first serve basis towards an EOI system for its Occupations in Demand (OID) and Express Entry applicants. Under the EOI, applicants are required to create a profile, and eligible candidates are screened and ranked along with their competitors with the applicants with higher ranks receiving an ITA for Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP).

Candidates are required relevant work experience in accordance to Saskatchewan’s In-Demand Occupation List and score at least a 60 points in the Unique Points Grid.

Under the new Expression of Interest system, Saskatchewan has issued 446 invitations on August 21^st to applicants under the sub-category of Express Entry.

Ontario Express Entry

Ontario issued 947 Notifications of Interest on August 8^th, which has to be the largest so far by any Province under its Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP).

It has been witnessed that invitations were issued under the Human Capital Priorities Stream, and the majority of the target under this Provincial Nominee Program Canada were applicants with experience in the Information Communication Technology occupations.

Ontario also has French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream and Canadian Experience Class(CEC) under its Provincial Nominee Program Canada.

Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream

Nova Scotia has introduced a Labour Market Priorities Stream which helps immigration officers to identify applicants who meet their criteria of “market identified labour shortages”. Services like early childhood care, childhood educators are in demand under this scheme.

On August 8^th, Nova Scotia’s immigration office issued 314 Letters of Interest to existing Express Entry candidates under its Provincial Nominee Program Canada. Further, Nova Scotia has another two immigration programs linked with the Express Entry System, i.e. the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream and the Nova Scotia Demand Express Entry Stream under its Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP).

Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and British Columbia Express Entry linked Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP)

The provinces of British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, all have issued ITAs under its respective Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP) this summer.

Manitoba held three draws between June 22^nd and July 9^th and issued 448 Letters of Advice to Apply during this period. Prince Edward Island has issued ITA’s thrice this summer, and British Columbia has continued with its weekly issuance of ITAs to eligible candidates.

Each Province has its criteria such as in-demand occupations within a province etc. while selecting candidates to be issued ITAs.

Alberta Announced its Express Entry Stream

On June 14^th 2018, Alberta announced its own Provincial Nominee Program Canada.i.e. the Alberta Opportunity Scheme wherein applicants who display strong links with Alberta and are deemed valuable in the Government of Alberta’s diversification and economic development priorities will receive ITAs and candidates with applications in the Express Entry Pool shall be selected under the AINP or the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.