Provincial immigration programs brought forth two provinces, British Columbia and Quebec, which sent invitations to eligible candidates. Excluding Quebec and Nunavut, most provinces and territories in Canada work through their set of Provincial Nominee Programs. These programs help candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. Provincial Nomination and permanent residency vary from one another. However, receiving a provincial nomination can help applicants take a step forward to permanent residence in Canada through IRCC.
Additionally, Quebec’s immigration programs significantly differ from the Canadian immigration programs. Quebec is an exceptional province with the power to control the selection of economic class immigrants.
Each year, more than 80,000 immigrants move to Canada under PNP. This process began as early as 1998. The federal and provincial governments believed that PNP had the potential to contribute toward Canada’s economic development, specifically targeting areas with a lesser immigrant population.
Provincial Immigration- results of the draw between October 8 to October 14
Quebec
Quebec sent invitations to 1,195 skilled workers on September 29. This draw didn’t have location or NOC targets. The candidates needed an existing profile under the Arrima Expression of Interest system with a minimum score of 597 points. This score was lower than the previous one in the general draw. The earlier score was 620 points. The general draw took place on September 15.
In 2022, the Quebec province conducted twelve draws, three held in September. Typically, Quebec doesn’t reveal the provincial immigration results until two or three weeks after draws occur.
MIFI sent the invitations to eligible candidates for immigration under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program.
Quebec provides only sixty days to those who receive an invitation for permanent selection application. These candidates will have to submit the application and make the payment within these sixty days only. Once Quebec gets all the essential information, including all forms and documents, it works toward processing the application within six months.
British Columbia
Over 364 candidates received an invitation to apply for British Columbia’s provincial nomination on October 12. The general draw had 320 candidates who received invitations in the Skilled Workers and International Graduates categories, including the Express Entry candidates. The minimum SIRS score for candidates under the Entry level and Semi-skilled categories was 78. SIRS and CRS have the same function. However, British Columbia functions only through the SIRS system.
Invitation rounds were held for candidates under the following occupations:
- Early Childhood Educators (25) and Assistants- NOC (4214) with 60 points as the minimum score.
- (19) Healthcare workers categories, including Entry-Level, Semi-Skilled, Skilled Worker, and International Graduates, with a minimum score of 60.
- Healthcare Assistants from the Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled categories, with at least 60 points.
- Priority occupations, including a minimum score of 60.
This draw will likely be the final one under British Columbia PNP because of the recent announcement regarding its pause between October 11 and November 16. The break will occur due to the shift from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021. Moreover, this transition will update the system by evaluating a candidate’s skill level based on the economic immigration programs.
