Express Entry 2024: Latest Round of General Round – BCPNP, MPNP, OINP
This week, Quebec sent invitations across Canada through its provincial immigration program, and Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba issued nominations through their separate Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Except for Quebec and Nunavut, where PNPs are not used, 11 of the 13 provincial interterritorial governments in the nation use their PNPs to identify immigration applicants who they believe best fit the labor force and demographic needs of their area.
Immigration candidates have two options after receiving a Notice of Interest (NOI) from a province or territory:
1. Base PNP Stream
The candidate may apply immediately for permanent residency under the PNP program using the NOI.
2. Enhanced PNP Stream
While in the Express Entry pool, the candidate may apply for a provincial nomination certificate via the Expression of Interest. A provincial nomination certificate obtained through an upgraded PNP stream will provide candidates with more points in the complete ranking system (CRS), which will help them in their quest for economic immigration via Express entry.
An invitation to apply for permanent residence at later draws from the Express Entry pool will follow the accrual of 600 CRS points.
Provincial Immigration Results from February 3- 9
1. British Columbia PNP Draw
With the British Columbia PNP, British Columbia held four targeted draws in February, the sixth of which was for skilled workers and foreign graduates. The following amount of invites was sent out by British Columbia to applicants for these positions.
Note: the minimum score needed for candidates in that specific occupational group is shown by the numbers in brackets.
- 46 invitations were issued to those in child care (60)
- 26 invitations were issued to those in construction (75)
- 39 invitations were issued to those in healthcare (60)
- Less than five invitations were issued to those in Veterinary Care (60)
On February 6th, the British Columbia PNP held a general draw in which 102 invites were sent out in addition to the targeted draws. Invitations were sent out to candidates in the following five streams for this draw:
- Skilled worker
- Skilled worker EBC option
- International graduate
- International graduate EBC option
- Entry-level and semiskilled
The minimal score needed for entry-level and semiskilled British Columbia PNP candidates was 122 for all but one category. A minimum score of 97 was necessary for the draw on February 6.
2. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Draw
In addition, 286 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) were sent out by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on February 6 to applicants who met the requirements for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream. The draw focused on applicants for healthcare-related jobs. In Ontario’s February 6th draw, every applicant who received a notice of intent (NOI) had a CRS score between 379 and 430.
The OINP held two drawings under the Employer Job Offer International Student Stream and one under the Human Capital Priorities Stream on February 8. The following are the draw results:
- Human Capital Priorities draw – 2,118 invitations issued to candidates in Tech occupations with scores ranging from 471 and 480
- Employer Job Offer International Student draw – 1,182 invitations issued to candidates with scores ranging from 78 and above. It was General – meaning no occupations were targeted
- Employer Job Offer International Student draw – 1,252 invitations issued to candidates who had scores ranging from 73 and above
- A targeted draw for Health and Tech occupations
It’s important to take note of the Ontario government’s announcement that it will no longer be accepting applications for the OINP’s Entrepreneur Stream, in addition to this week’s PNP results. Although this suspension has been in place since December 4, 2023, it was only formally declared this past week.
Ontario made it clear in a statement on February 5 that this means no more applications or Expressions of Interest will be accepted. Any inquiries should be directed to business.immigration@ontario.ca
3. Quebec PNP Draw
The results of a draw held on January 24th, which invited two distinct groups of candidates according to various eligibility requirements, have been made public by Quebec. The province invited 1,700 individuals in total to apply for permanent selection. Instead of having a PNP, Quebec maintains control over its economic immigration laws and procedures according to a special agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Every invitee had to have a job offer that was valid outside of Montreal’s borders to be included in the initial batch of candidates that were extracted on January 4. This indicates that no professions or other characteristics of human capital were addressed.
Those who were part of the draw wherein Quebec targeted particular occupations were among the second batch of candidates removed on January 22. To be included, this candidate group needed to score at least 615. The following eligibility requirements must be fulfilled in addition to having a level seven oral proficiency in French or above.
After receiving an invitation, those interested may apply to the IRCC for permanent residency after obtaining a Quebec selection certificate.
4. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
On February 8, Manitoba released the findings of three recent drawings that invited a total of 282 applicants for the Manitoba Stream’s skilled worker program. 151 letters of recommendation to apply were given to individuals under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) because they had a close relative in MOBA. These contenders needed to receive at least 619 points.
In addition, 83 letters of recommendation were sent out by the province to apply via its International Education stream. Lastly, the province administration advised 48 qualified candidates with a minimum score of 713 to apply through the MPNP’s Skilled Worker Overseas Stream.
Express Entry: IRCC Invites Candidates in Latest General Draw
Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The department invited 1,049 individuals to a general draw for the most recent Express Entry lottery. A minimum comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score of 535 was required of candidates.
IRCC has held five draws so far in 2024;
- In the first, 1,510 candidates with a minimum CRS of 546 were invited to a general draw on January 10.
- Both of the subsequent drawings were General. The department extended invitations to 1,040 applicants with a minimum CRS of 543 on January 23 and 730 applicants with a minimum score of 541 on January 31.
- On February 1st, the biggest draw of the year welcomed 7,000 individuals to participate in a category-based selection draw for candidates seeking Express admission with proficiency in French.
New Language Test Accepted for Express Entry Programs
The Pearson Test of English Core (PTE) is now accepted by the IRCC as of January 30 for all immigration streams, except the Student Direct Stream. This implies that candidates for Express Entry have an additional choice for their English language exam.
Candidates must receive a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score—which varies based on the Express Entry controlled program they are applying for—when they upload their profile to the IRCC website. The IRCC assesses a candidate’s language proficiency in four areas: reading, speaking, listening, and writing, using the CLB.