This past week, a majority of Canadian provinces released Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw results.

Most Canadian provinces and territories (with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs. Through these programs, interested candidates may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Although provincial nomination is not in itself the same as a permanent residence, it can significantly increase the chances of obtaining permanent resident status. For instance, PNP candidates with Express Entry profiles who receive a nomination get 600 points added to their score. They also become eligible to be invited to apply for a PNP-specific round of invitations.

In 1998, when it was launched, the PNP welcomed only 400 immigrants, but due to its success, it now welcomes more than 80,000 per year. The increase in the number of PNP admissions in Canada is due to the fact that the federal and provincial governments consider it an effective tool to promote the economic development of the country.

Express Entry draws are held every two weeks. After a long pause, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is now once again holding all-program Express Entry draws. The first all-program draw since 2020 was held on July 6, and a total of 1,500 Express Entry candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 557 received Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The most recent Express Entry draw was held on July 20 with 1,750 invitations issued.

By 2024, the number of annual Express Entry admissions will be increased by the Canadian government to about 111,500 immigrants.

PNP and Quebec Arrima draw results released between July 18-22

British Columbia

The province of British Columbia typically holds a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round of invitations on a weekly basis.

The most recent rounds of invitations under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) were held on July 19. More than 165 candidates received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination in these draws.

This week’s draws were aimed at specific sectors of activity.

A total of 139 of these candidates were invited through a Tech draw. These candidates must meet the requirements of one of British Columbia’s Express Entry BC or Skills Immigration categories, which are managed through the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Invited candidates had to score a minimum of 85 points.

The province also held rounds of invitations for candidates working in the following occupations:

• 18 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) with scores of at least 60 points; and
• 8 healthcare workers with scores of at least 60 points.

BC also announced on July 14 that it is ending the temporary one-year pause of the BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category. Experienced entrepreneurs can once again enter the candidate pool for a chance to be invited into one of the province’s upcoming periodic draws.

Manitoba 

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) invited 366 candidates to apply on July 14.

The invitations were divided across three immigration streams:

• Skilled Workers in Manitoba — 293 invitations with a minimum score of 699;
• Skilled Workers Overseas — 33 invitations with a minimum score of 715; and
• International Education Stream — 40 invitations with no score requirement.

Out of all who were invited to apply, 55 had profiles in the Express Entry system.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, on July 14 Manitoba also issued 11 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination to Ukrainian nationals.

Ontario

On July 15, 2022, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 33 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Entrepreneur Stream to candidates with a score between 146 and 174 points.

Prince Edward Island

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) invited a total of 165 immigration candidates on July 21.

Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates received the most invitations, with a combined total of 138. The remaining 27 invitations went to Business Impact candidates who had provincial scores of at least 60 points.

PEI holds about one draw per month and releases its schedule for the year in advance.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) published invitation round results for July 14, where 627 candidates were invited to apply for a provincial nomination. This is the second SINP draw in two weeks and the largest one of 2022.

In the July 14 invitation round, 430 invitations went to Express Entry candidates and 195 invitations went to Occupations In-Demand candidates. The minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score requirement was 69 for both categories of candidates, and they needed to have work experience in one of 20 occupations.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, on July 14 Saskatchewan also issued two invitations to apply for a provincial nomination to Ukrainian nationals.

Quebec

Quebec has more autonomy over its immigration system than any other province, and so it does not participate in the PNP.

People who want to immigrate through the province’s immigration system typically need to submit a profile to an expression of interest pool, called Arrima. Provincial officials then invite candidates whose profiles fit the criteria for an immigration program. Invited candidates apply for a provincial nomination or a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) in Quebec.

On June 28, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) invited 351 candidates to apply for a permanent selection under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

Candidates had to have profiles in the Arrima Expression of Interest system with scores between 551 and 624 points depending on the targeted occupations or they had to have a valid job offer outside of the Montreal Metropolitan area.

Several Canadian provinces release new immigration draw results