British Columbia and Alberta have recently invited candidates to apply for provincial nomination through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These invitations allow eligible candidates to move closer to obtaining permanent residency in Canada. Additionally, Alberta has updated its processing times for various immigration streams, providing greater transparency for those pursuing opportunities through Alberta’s Advantage Immigration Program.
British Columbia Issues Invitations for PNP Candidates
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued a minimum of 25 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination through two separate draws conducted on November 13.
One of these draws was a general draw that spanned multiple immigration streams, where a total of 10 ITAs were issued.
- Skilled Worker: Minimum score of 143.
- Skilled Worker – EEBC option: Minimum score of 143.
- International Graduate: Minimum score of 143.
- International Graduate – EEBC option: Minimum score of 143.
- Entry-Level & Semi-Skilled: Minimum score of 121.
The BC PNP held a category-based draw targeting the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including the EEBC option. A total of at least 15 ITAs were issued across the following categories:
- Childcare: 5 ITAs, minimum score of 102.
- Construction: 4 ITAs, minimum score of 105.
- Healthcare: 5 ITAs, minimum score of 113.
- Veterinary Care: Fewer than 5 ITAs, minimum score of 80.
Candidates seeking to apply to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) have two options: they can either apply directly through the base program or connect their application to their Express Entry profile using the Express Entry BC (EEBC) pathway.
The EEBC option is designed to streamline the process for eligible candidates by offering faster processing times for permanent residence applications submitted to IRCC. This is possible after candidates receive a provincial nomination and an ITA from the federal government.
To be eligible for the EEBC stream, applicants must have a valid and active Express Entry profile. Additionally, they must meet the requirements of one of the three immigration programs managed under Express Entry:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP),
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
It is important to note that the Entry-Level & Semi-Skilled stream is not eligible for the EEBC pathway, limiting this option to specific skilled workers and international graduates.
Alberta Issues Invitations for PNP Candidates
From October 15 to November 7, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held four draws, issuing invitations under various streams as outlined below:
- On November 7, Alberta held a draw for the Alberta Opportunity Stream, issuing 187 invitations with a minimum score of 50.
- On November 4, the Dedicated Health Care Pathway for Non-Express Entry saw 33 invitations issued with a minimum score of 44.
- On the same day, November 4, the Dedicated Health Care Pathway for Express Entry issued 65 invitations with a minimum score of 51.
- On October 15, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream had a draw, offering 302 invitations with a minimum score of 70.
Eligibility requirements for these draws included:
Alberta Opportunity Stream:
- CLB 5 or higher
- Valid work permit
- 12+ months of full-time work experience
- Full-time job offer from Alberta in an in-demand trade
Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Non-Express Entry:
- CLB 5 or higher
- Full-time job offer from Alberta
- Legally authorized to practice in a regulated healthcare occupation
Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry:
- Express Entry profile expiry date of April 4, 2025, or later
- Full-time job offer from Alberta
- CLB 5 or higher
- Legally authorized to practice in a regulated healthcare occupation
Tourism and Hospitality Stream:
- CLB 4 or higher
- Valid LMIA-based work permit
- Full-time Alberta job offer
- 6+ months of work experience in Alberta
Alberta Immigration Processing Time Updates
On November 7, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) provided updates on the processing times for various streams. Here are the details:
Source CIC new:
| Stream | Applications to be Processed | 2024 Nominations Issued | 2024 Nomination Allocation | 2024 Nomination Spaces Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 1,401 | 5,065 | 5,264 | 199 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,407 | 1,757 | 1,830 | 73 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 129 | 399 | 600 | 201 |
| Dedicated Healthcare Pathway | 19 | 79 | 110 | 31 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway (EE) | 510 | 976 | 970 | 0 |
| Dedicated Healthcare Pathway (EE) | 17 | 471 | 670 | 199 |
| Law Enforcement Pathway (EE) | <10 | 12 | 20 | 8 |
| Priority Sector Draws (EE) | <10 | 165 | 164 | 0 |
| Family Connection & Occupation in Demand (EE) | 0 | 107 | 106 | 0 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 20 | 8 | 16 | 8 |
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has provided processing updates for applicants with work permits set to expire in 2024. For the Alberta Opportunity Stream, there are currently 552 applications in the queue, with 260 support letters already issued. In the Rural Renewal Stream, 295 applications are pending, and 31 support letters have been issued. These updates reflect the ongoing efforts to assist applicants facing work permit expirations in 2024.
Temporary public policy for open work permits for PNP candidates
On August 11, IRCC introduced a temporary public policy that enables certain candidates of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to apply for open work permits, provided they have support from their respective PNPs.
As of now, Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon have implemented measures aligned with this temporary public policy, allowing PNP candidates in these provinces to take advantage of the open work permit option.
This policy is scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2024. However, IRCC has the discretion to revoke or modify the policy at any time before this date.
An Overview of PNP
Under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian provinces and territories have the authority to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residency. This program allows provinces and territories to select candidates who meet their specific labor market needs and regional demands, whether in skilled trades, healthcare, technology, or other sectors.
Once a candidate receives a nomination from a province or territory, they can apply to the federal government for permanent residency. This provincial nomination greatly enhances their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system or other immigration streams.
While all provinces and territories have their own PNPs, Quebec and Nunavut are exceptions. Quebec manages its own immigration programs separately from the PNP. The province has significant autonomy over its immigration processes, particularly through economic immigration streams like the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). These programs operate outside the scope of the PNP and give Quebec greater control over selecting candidates for permanent residency, in contrast to other provinces and territories in Canada.