In the first week of September, both the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) conducted draws, selecting candidates through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). The selections were based on professional experience, employment status, and language proficiency.
Ontario PNP Draw Results
On September 5, the OINP held a draw through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream, issuing 96 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 290 and 393. This stream targets French-speaking skilled workers who are interested in settling in Ontario. To qualify, candidates must first enter the federal Express Entry pool through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). They must meet specific criteria, including work experience, language proficiency, educational credentials, and sufficient settlement funds. Candidates are invited to apply after receiving a NOI, which allows them to proceed with their permanent residency (PR) application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
British Columbia PNP Draw Results
On September 4, British Columbia held two separate draws under its PNP. The first was a general selection across several streams, including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level & Semi-Skilled. A total of 75 invitations were issued to candidates, with minimum scores of 128 for most streams, except for the Entry & Semi-Skilled stream, which required a minimum score of 110.
The second draw was sector-specific, targeting key industries in the province. Invitations were extended to 83 candidates with work experience in childcare, with minimum scores ranging from 80 to 99, depending on the stream and candidate’s qualifications.
Closure of Saskatchewan Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot
As of August 30, 2024, the Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has been permanently closed. Applications submitted before this date with valid Candidate-Specific Job Approval Letters will still be processed, but no new applications will be accepted. The decision to close the pilot aims to streamline immigration pathways and improve settlement outcomes for newcomers. SINP continues to offer other immigration streams, and alternative options will be discussed in information sessions held on September 6 and 11, 2024.
For further details on these PNP draws or to explore other immigration pathways, candidates are encouraged to reach out through the respective program channels.