Provincial Nominee Program updates for 2018

What is the best Provincial Nominee Program for immigrating in 2018?

Each province in Canada is unique and has specific demands. And to fill economic and population gaps, most of the provinces in Canada offer Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). A PNP is an immigration program in which qualified individuals are granted a Nomination Certificate to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency.
Since each province has its needs and normally offers more than one stream, the selection criteria vary a lot. But basically, all of them need skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs and graduated students willing to live and contribute to the community and the economy of the province.
So, if you feel like you can contribute, you may apply for a Provincial Nominee Program. And one of the best news about it is that, in the Multi-Year Immigration Plan (2018 to 2020), the federal government promised to increase the PNP allocations. The allocation target for 2017 was 51,000. And the current targets are 55,000 for 2018 (8 percent of increase), 61,000 for 2019 (11 percent of increase) and 67,800 for 2020 (also 11 percent of increase).
Check now the newest information about the most desired PNP programs, their plans for 2018 and choose the one that suits you the best. Although Quebec doesn’t have a PNP program, it already released its immigration plans for 2018. Also, if you want to know if you are qualified to work in Canada, you can take this free assessment.

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
October last year Alberta had announced two new streams that would start receiving applications on January 2nd, 2018: the new Alberta Opportunity Stream and the Self-Employed Farmer Stream. Also, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program would start having an Alberta Express Entry stream. For the first time, the province of Alberta would give nominations to a certain number of qualified candidates from the federal Express Entry system.
However, on December 2017, the official website of the province announced that all those plans will be postponed. According to the official website, this delay is happening because the government continues in conversations with affected stakeholders, although the goal will remain the same. Alberta authorities also announced further updates will be released in 2018 and prospective applicants can continue to apply under the existing streams (the Strategic Recruitment Stream, the Employer-Driven Stream, and the Self-Employed Farmer Stream).

For 2018, Alberta’s maximum allotment for provincial nominations is 5,600. This is a very small increase in comparison to 2017 numbers (5,500), especially because the 2018 allotment is already including the new stream aligned with the federal Express Entry. The criteria for the Alberta Express Entry Stream was not revealed yet.
But, according to the AINP official website, the following 10 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes represent more than half of applications for nomination certificates. They are: Food Service Supervisors (6311), Retail Sales Supervisors (6211), Transport Truck Drivers (7511), Cleaning Supervisors (6315), Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers (7284), Administrative assistants (1241), Restaurant and Food Services Managers (0631), Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers (0621), Retail Salespersons (6421) and Administrative Officers (1221).

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
In its latest draw, January 3rd, 2018, the BC PNP invited 340 candidates to apply for Permanent Residency through provincial programs and Canada Express Entry. For skilled workers, the minimum score was 75 points while international graduates had to score 70 points. For entry-level and semi-skilled workers, BC immigration authorities demanded 40 points. The 340 candidates already included BC PNP Tech-Only applicants (draw on January 10).
The two previous BC PNP draw invited 292 (December 20, 2017) and 290 (December 6, 2017) candidates. And the trend is to keep increasing numbers for the next pools, which is very good for the provincial economy and community development. Chinese, Indians and Filipinos represent the biggest numbers of immigrants and international students arriving in the province.

PNPs in the Atlantic Canada provinces
Atlantic Canada comprises the New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador provinces. And all of them need to increase immigration rates more than ever, according to a recent study published by the Conference Board of Canada. That is why the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program was launched last year. Also, all four provinces have their Provincial Nominee Programs, which means many streams and immigration opportunities for people that want to live in Canada.
Nova Scotia, for example, had a great 2017 in terms of immigration. More than 4,000 newcomers arrived, and 1,400 of them came through Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), which is a record for the program. And one of the most popular streams, among the five offered by the province, is the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry. Also, 200 newcomers came with their families to Nova Scotia in 2017 through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Manitoba was going to bring news for 2018. And it already started! The province of Manitoba has begun conducting regular Expression of Interest draw of 2018.
The promising score for Skilled Workers in Manitoba is 520+, while Skilled Workers Overseas demanded higher scores. Strategic Recruitment Initiative demanded 815 points and Express Entry Pathway 565 points. This draw shows a new pathway in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. Before, most of the invitations were given to inland immigrants. This time, the Skilled Workers Overseas stream issued more invitations.
In addition, Manitoba is now part of the list of eight provinces in Canada that has a stream aligned to the federal Express Entry. And for this stream candidates must be eligible for the province (Manitoba’s Expression of Interest pool) and for the federal government (federal Express Entry pool) programs simultaneously. Also, candidates must have a minimum of six months recent experience in an occupation in Manitoba’s list of in-demand positions.

However, the most critical factor for MPNP is the requirement of Manitoba connection. This could in form of a relative/friend supporter or previous study/job experience in the province.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Ontario is the biggest in terms of population and it offers many immigration opportunities. And 2018 barely started and OINP already announced that it has processed over 1200 nominations out of its increased quota of a total of 6,600. The OINP is now accepting applications to the following streams: Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream; Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream; Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream; Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream; Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream; Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream; Corporate Stream; and Entrepreneur Stream.
In addition, the OINP will resume issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to applicants who qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream. According to recent announcements in the OINP official website, those applicants will now have 45 calendar days to submit their application online for a provincial nomination.

Since OINP considers newer EE profiles with CRS over 400, it is strongly recommended to recreate your express entry profile in order to receive a notification of interest. Their selection criteria with regards to which profiles will receive NOI is unknown.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
It is a good time to consider immigrating to Saskatchewan. The province just updated its list of in-demand occupations for the International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand stream. In addition, interested applicants on the SINP also can apply for other two popular streams in the province: International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer and International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry.
The latest pool for the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream happened on January 10, 2018. The 400 positions available got all taken very fast since on the 11th of January there were no more spots available.
Also, the province conducted on January 17, 2018, a draw for the Entrepreneur stream, in which 251 potential business immigrants with 80 points and higher were invited to apply. This stream is forecasted to conduct the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool selections in 2017/18 on April 18, July 18, and October 17, 2018.