Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs as a skilled immigrant

Thinking of Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (as a skilled immigrant)? This is for you.

The info covers

- Available Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- How PNPs can give you 600 extra CRS score in Express Entry
- Sub-categories of PNPs
- PNPs requirements and cost

Two Express Entry Draws have been done in 2020 with a minimum CRS cut-off of 473 and 471.

With the increasing popularity of the Express Entry program among skilled immigrants who want to move permanently to Canada, it looks like the CRS cut-offs may remain high for some time.

With this in mind, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) present good opportunities for candidates to earn 600 extra points if they are already in the Express Entry pool, or immigrate through a provincial skilled immigrant prog if they are even not eligible to set up an EE profile.

There are 10 Provinces in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec & Saskatchewan)

All these provinces (except Quebec, with a separate selection system) have their own provincial nominee programs

In addition to the 10 provinces, there are 3 territories (North West Territories, Nunavut & Yukon) in Canada.

North West Territories and Yukon have PNPs for skilled immigrants, while Nunavut has none.

In total there are 11 provinces/territories with PNPs for skilled immigrants.

As you may have thought, the requirements are also different in each province.

Beyond interest, there are other boxes of eligibility & financial capability as I always say.

I'll, however, highlight the programs below with links to the program pages for you to read more details.

1) Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

For its Express Entry aligned provincial nominee program, Alberta goes into the EE pool itself to invite eligible candidates for nomination. Eligible candidates must have a minimum CRS score of 300. Details at Alberta Express Entry Stream

The priority of the Express Entry aligned Alberta PNP is for candidates

- With an existing EE profile
- With interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta
- Working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development & diversification
- With a minimum CRS score of 300

2) British Columbia PNP

Express Entry aligned BC PNP is in 4 subcategories

- Skilled workers in high-demand occupations
- Healthcare professionals
-International Grads(from Canadian institutions)
- International Postgrads(from B.C. institutions)

Details bit.ly/3aMLdCB

There are also other pathways in the BC PNP (that are not aligned to the Express Entry system) for candidates who want to become permanent residents in British Columbia, Canada.

Each pathway has specific program requirements.

Find out more about this at bit.ly/2u6v06B

3) Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

This was the first PNP to be implemented in Canada. Started in 1998 & the skilled immigrant category seeks recent graduates or skilled workers interested in living permanently in Manitoba

Details available at bit.ly/2tZGnhl

The MPNP skilled immigrant program is in 2 subcategories
- Skilled Workers in Manitoba
- Skilled Workers Overseas

You will submit an Express of Interest to the province by yourself, and be assigned points. Highest-scoring candidates are then invited to submit an MPNP application

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) prioritizes candidates with

- Manitoba support (a friend or relative) or
- Manitoba Experience (previous or ongoing education or work in the province) or
- Manitoba Invitation (scouted through a recruitment mission or exploratory visit)

4) New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

The NBPNP skilled immigrant category is for those with the skills, education & work experience needed to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy, and are ready to live and work in the province.

Details at bit.ly/2eL5ctc

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) prioritizes candidates with either or a combination of

- Express Entry Profile
- Living or working currently in New Brunswick
- A letter of employment from an employer in the province
- Direct selection from the Express Entry pool

5) Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program

NLPNP accepts skilled immigrant applications in 3 sub-categories
- Skilled Worker
- Express Entry Skilled Worker
- International Graduate
It may nominate up to 1,050 individuals annually. Details at Labrador office of immigration and multiculturalism.

The link above provides more info on each of the sub-categories.

A webinar is also regularly done by Newfoundland & Labrador to explain different pathways available for those who want to move permanently to the province.

6) Nova Scotia Demand (NSD)

It is for skilled immigrants who wish to live in Nova Scotia permanently. You must have a good chance of quickly finding a job in the province.The 2 popular subcategories are Category A & B of the Express Entry Stream. Details bit.ly/1H0WPdF

Only selected occupations (NOCs) are eligible for the Express Entry Stream of the Nova Scotia Demand (NSD).

And like Alberta, the NSD may also directly invite candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for a provincial nomination in the province.

There are also other NSD streams for candidates who do not have an existing Express Entry profile.

The priority of the NSD is to
- Fill labour and skill shortages in the province
- Select candidates with skills or occupations that are in high labour market demand in Nova Scotia.

7) Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

OINP helps Ontario to meet its labour market & economic development priorities. The skilled immigrant stream has multiple subcategories. And there are different requirements for each.

Details at bit.ly/2QKfJoq

The subcategories are:

- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream

And like Alberta & Nova Scotia, Ontario may directly invite candidates from the EE pool.

8) Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

PEI, Canada's smallest province accepts applications from skilled immigrants through its Expression of interest portal. Candidates are invited for Labour & Express Entry subcategory

Details at bit.ly/2NiMgjx

PEI prides itself as the ideal place to study, live, work & raise a family. PEI also provides information on when it will invite individuals to apply to the PEI Provincial Nominee Program each month.

The next invitation date is Feb 20, 2020. Invitations are issued once a month.

9) Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

SINP has a list of occupations eligible for the program. It is popular among candidates with a Saskatchewan connection.

Unlike Manitoba, SINP does not accept 'friends' as the provincial connection

Details bit.ly/3aT83bC

Your Sask connection could, however, be a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin and step-family members or in-laws of the same relationships.

Applications for nomination in Sask are also submitted through the province's Expression of Interest portal.

10) Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

Northwest Territories has the highest median household income in Canada. Its capital, Yellowknife, has the highest rate of employment in the country. The winter is cold, but the people are warm.

Details at bit.ly/2tb8VY3

11) Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is run by the Yukon Government in partnership with Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the “Agreement for Canada-Yukon Cooperation on Immigration."

Details available at bit.ly/2lWBbqf

For the YNP, you need a job offer in the province to be eligible.

The YNP streams for Skilled Immigrants & Critical Impact Workers is locally driven & based on the needs of Yukon employers

More details on the step-by-step process for this is available at bit.ly/38PNAT4

As earlier stated, Nunavut does not have a PNP for skilled immigrants, and Quebec has a separate immigration program.

You cannot immigrate to Quebec using the Express Entry program. To immigrate, you must apply thru the Quebec-selected program

Details at bit.ly/2rhiUdB

Being directly invited to apply for a nomination from the EE pool, or by submitting Expression of Interest to a province DOES NOT mean you have been nominated

You will provide required documents to the province for assessment & then be informed if you are successfully nominated.

In addition, some provinces also charge an application fee. For instance, the fee in Ontario is $1,500 CAD & $300 CAD in Sask

A successful (Express-Entry aligned) nomination will, however, add 600 points to your CRS Score. So, a lot of candidates gladly bear the additional costs

Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the provincial nominee programs & check if you can use any PNP to increase your chances of immigrating to Canada.

And if you need further professional support, contact @OgayemiLawFirm or email info[at]ogayemilawfirm[dot]com

Cheers!

Author