Provincial opportunities: Six Canadian regions extend invitations in latest immigration round

Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, and PEI Extend Invitations for Provincial Immigration

With the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, all Canadian provinces and territories have the authority to invite economic immigrants to apply for a provincial nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A nomination significantly bolsters an applicant’s permanent residency application when submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Quebec operates under a distinct agreement with the federal government, enjoying complete autonomy in selecting economic immigrants for permanent residency.

Check Your Eligibility for Canadian Immigration

Introduction of the New Immigration Levels Plan and Strategic Immigration Program

IRCC annually releases an Immigration Levels Plan to establish targets for the number of invited permanent residents over the next three years. The plan allocates the overall target among various immigration programs and pathways managed by IRCC.

The latest Immigration Levels Plan, covering 2024-2026, was disclosed on November 1st. It outlines that in 2024, IRCC plans to admit 110,000 newcomers through the PNP, with projections of 120,000 in both 2025 and 2026.

This plan is closely aligned with IRCC’s recently introduced Strategic Immigration Program, emphasizing three pillars: enhancing efficiency, facilitating newcomer settlement, and coordinating immigration growth with infrastructure and settlement service needs.

IRCC intends to achieve these goals by engaging in discussions with stakeholders, including provincial governments, to better understand local requirements and capacities. This collaborative approach aims to ensure successful newcomer integration, improve affordability, and address the needs of all Canadians.

Provincial Immigration Highlights from October 28 to November 3

Ontario:

• Invited candidates in the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on October 30.
• Invited 1051 Master’s Graduate stream candidates with a minimum score of 43 and above.
• Also invited 66 PhD Graduate stream candidates with a minimum score of 42 and above.

British Columbia:

• Conducted four separate draws on October 31, inviting over 203 PNP candidates.
• Considered Skilled Workers, International Graduates, Entry-Level, and Semi-Skilled candidates.
• Held three occupation-specific draws for Skilled Workers and International Graduates in early childhood education, healthcare, and other priority occupations.

Quebec:

• Released its Immigration Levels Plan on November 1, targeting 30,650 skilled workers in 2024 and 31,500 in 2025.
• Conducted provincial immigration draws on October 26, inviting 1220 candidates, focusing on multiple trades occupations and tech, healthcare, and other priority occupations.

Alberta:

• Published draw results for October 24 and October 26.
• On October 24, invited 22 candidates through the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway with Alberta job offer stream.
• On October 26, invited 100 candidates eligible under the Family Connection and Primary Occupation In Demand stream.

Manitoba:

• Invited 400 candidates on November 2 through three separate draws, targeting Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Overseas, and candidates from the International Education Stream.

Prince Edward Island (PEI):

• On November 2, invited 41 Labour and Express Entry candidates working in healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, and agriculture sectors.

Over the past 12 months, PEI has extended invitations to 2,385 candidates through the PEI PNP.