Updates and Changes to Provincial Nominee Program this Mid-Fall

The mid-fall is here, and there are some slight and some minor changes to the Provincial Nominee Programs of Canadian provinces. Provinces across the country are actively welcoming skilled professionals, graduates and entrepreneurs to migrate.

The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces to nominate migrants for permanent residence. Some special PNP streams known as enhanced streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry selection system. Individuals nominated through enhanced streams result in applicants securing an additional 600 CRS score and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Streams that are not part of the Express Entry are referred to as Base Streams. These Base Streams may not be of interest to many Canadian migrants, but some individuals might keep an eye on these streams for migrating to Canada.

Canada’s Immigration Level Plans 2017 has set a target of welcoming 54,000 new permanent residents through the Provincial Nominee Program alone. The latest immigration level plan will be updated within the next two weeks, unveiling new information and updates on any changes to the plan.

Saskatchewan

In the current year, Saskatchewan has seen some evident updates to its skilled worker sub-categories. These updates led more applicants to approach the newly opened streams. The popular sub-categories of the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP) – International Skilled Worker (Express Entry) and International Skilled Worker (Occupations-in-Demand) sub-categories – allow candidates to apply without needing a job offer, provided they have work experience in any of the occupations on the in-demand list.

Late July witnessed an increase in the occupations list, with the addition of 40 more occupations to the occupations-in-demand list. While doing so, the Express Entry sub-category was opened for 600 news applicants. Surprisingly, this list was filled soon enough. Following the prompt response and success of the sub-category, the intake limit was increased to 1200 on August 9. This intake was filled within a day.

Later in August, Saskatchewan further made changes to the annual intake threshold for the Express Entry Sub-Category from 1700 to 2600. Seeing these progressive changes, it is safe to say that Saskatchewan may further increase the intake limit threshold in the coming mid-fall update under both sub-categories.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s popular Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry (NSDEE) is one of the popular streams and a part of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). NSNP has an eligible occupations demand list much like the Saskatchewan sub-categories. NSDEE’s occupation list works on a first-come, first-served basis. However, a job offer is not required when applying to this stream, but an active Express Entry profile is necessary.

On October 11, Nova Scotia opened this stream for up to 300 new applications. Strikingly, the intake was filled within a single day. Nova Scotia has stated that its NDSEE is set to reopen for further intakes in the coming months. These updates may be announced during the mid-fall updates in the coming two weeks.

British Columbia (BC)

The months of August and September were the most occupied months of British Columbia. Up to 2000 applications were received to assess and process under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). A range of skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs participated in the program, and witnessing the striking interest of individuals, BC launched a new stream solely for tech workers called the BC PNP Tech Pilot.

The high interest of individuals in immigrating to BC may encourage BC to establish more streams and lower intake thresholds for immigrants.

Manitoba

Manitoba invites skilled workers and businesspersons to apply for a provincial nomination under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The draw conducted on August 15, saw an invitation sent to 443 candidates. The next draw conducted on September 26 witnessed an invitation to 349 candidates. These candidates were invited under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba category.

Through the MPNP stream, candidates who are not eligible for the Canada Express Entry pool can also seek permanent residency.

The Manitoba Business Stream (MPNP-B) has invited 98 candidates to apply to the MPNP-B since July. The MPNP–B stream allows businesspersons to straightaway apply for permanent residency. There is no need to have any temporary residence period to apply for permanent residency.

No further news was issued for Manitoba streams; thus, new updates may be made in the coming mid-fall update.

New Brunswick

In September, New Brunswick’s enhanced stream, the Express Entry Labour Market Stream (EELMS), began accepting skilled workers with expertise in eligible occupations who had attended an information session hosted by New Brunswick immigration authorities.

The EELMS functions on an Expression of Interest (EOI) basis. Eligible candidates interested in settling down in New Brunswick must first enter the pool of candidates from which highly ranked candidates will be invited to apply for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBNP). Observing how EELMS operates, it is evident that it is one of the highly dynamic streams for immigration. Several adjustments have been made to the stream to ensure easy and smooth operation.

More news or a tweak made to the New Brunswick may be heard in the upcoming weeks.

Ontario

The Ontario Immigration Nominee Program has seen many changes since July. All of a sudden, the province also experienced a surge in applications.

It was when Ontario decided to place a hold on these applications and address the occupation demand in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In this process, Ontario began selecting ICT-eligible candidates even when they did not meet a CRS score of 400.

The Human Capital Priorities stream is closed for now and may reopen anytime. OINP still carries out nominations under the Express Entry system.

As of now, the updates on OINP are that in September, the province began accepting applications under the Corporate Stream. In October, Ontario began accepting online applications for the International Master’s and PhD Graduate streams.

Alberta

Alberta is currently the hottest immigration province in Canada. The province of Alberta has issued 4300 provincial nomination certificates to date under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

Over the last three months, around 1,150 of these nominations have been issued. The AINP staff are effectively working, and their dedication is clearly visible.

Currently, no AINP categories are associated with Express Entry; however, individuals with a nomination certificate may still apply for permanent residency.

The AINP consists of three streams as given below:

• The Strategic Recruitment Stream for tradespersons, engineers and post-graduate workers
• The Employer-Driven Stream is categorised into skilled workers, international graduates and semi-skilled workers
• The Self-Employed Farmer Stream to purchase and develop a farm in Alberta