A recent report issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed the importance of the Provincial Nominee Program for a growing number of applicants being selected by the country’s Express Entry immigration program.
Recent data shows that, last year, more than one-in-four invited candidates had a provincial nomination, up from around one-in-eight the previous year. Applicants who have been nominated by a province receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool.
Moreover, in the first few month of 2017, provinces have appeared keen to welcome even more new applications from candidates in the pool.
In recent weeks, the provinces of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia (BC) have each taken significant steps to bringing in more immigrants and their families through Express Entry.
A few weeks ago, the Ontario government that it would begin issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs, effectively the same as an invitation to apply) to candidates in the Express Entry pool on a weekly basis, rather than intermittently, as had been the case.
Saskatchewan’s PNP reopened last week, targeting an extra 600 immigrants a year, while Nova Scotia currently really pushing its PNP opportunities as part of an overall drive to increase immigration in Atlantic Canada.
Finally, on 10th May, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) invited 364 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. Of these, 133 candidates were invited under an Express Entry-aligned category. While this may seem like a small figure, it should be noted that this was the eighth such draw to take place so far in 2017, and on each occasion Express Entry candidates have been among the invitees.
Article published 18th May 2017