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Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

Three main provinces held their PNP draws recently

Saskatchewan:

On March 24th , Saskatchewan held a new draw, encouraging immigrants to apply for a provincial nomination. 

Candidates who could be eligible for a nomination through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), specifically the International Skilled Worker category, were sent invitations. 183 applicants qualified for the SINP’s Express Entry sub category, and 235 for the Occupations In-Demand subcategory.

In order to be invited, candidates had to have an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of at least 70, irrespective of the stream. 

Occupations in demand subcategory

The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is a core stream of the Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP), which means it is available to immigrants without an Express Entry profile.

The subcategory is specifically for highly qualified workers with relevant experience in an in-demand occupation, who have not yet been offered a work position in the province.

Express Entry Sub-category

The Express Entry sub-category is an improved PNP, which means it is linked to the federal Express Entry system. Express Entry is the applicant pool for three of Canada’s widely popular economic immigration programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. The PNP stream is also catered to by this system. 

The Express Entry Candidates who manage to receive a provincial nomination get an additional 600 points with their Comprehensive Ranking system score (CRS), essentially guaranteeing their invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada with an extremely high score.

Alberta:

On March 26, Alberta was able to invite candidates to.apply for a provincial nomination. The province invited a total number of 300 candidates to apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream via the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). Candidates just required a Detailed Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 301 for the second year in a row. Those who earn an Alberta provincial nomination will have 600 CRS points automatically applied to their overall Express Entry score.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

This Enhanced PNP is specifically for those candidates who have close ties to the province and can help the government achieve its economic growth and diversification goals. In 2020, Alberta was able to grant 6,250 nomination certificates. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the province’s quota was limited to 4,000 nominations. By June 2020, all of these nominations had been made.

Manitoba:

On March25, Manitoba welcomed another 335 applicants to apply for a provincial nomination. These invited applicants would be a step closer to getting an ITA for permanent residence  if they obtain a provincial nomination through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

Manitoba frequently invites potential immigrants to apply through one of three PNP streams: Skilled Workers in Manitoba, International Education Stream, or Skilled Workers Overseas. Candidates for the skilled Worker streams must have previously submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.

In the latest draw for the Skilled workers category 285 invitations were issued with at least an EOI score of 423.

An individual must file an Expression of Interest with the MPNP in order to be considered for a nomination from Manitoba. This helps an individual to apply for a LAA via the Manitoba Skilled Workers and Skilled Workers Overseas streams.

Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

Alberta sends 115 provincial nominations to Express Entry candidates 

Alberta held a provincial Express Entry draw on October 9, where 115 candidates were invited to apply for provincial nominations. These Express Entry candidates were drawn through the federal system, which manages economic immigrants from the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and the Federal Skilled Worker Class. 

Like many Express Entry draws, Alberta Express Entry selects candidates who meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS ranks Express Entry applicants based on factors such as their educational background, work history, French or English language skills, and age. For this draw, the selected candidates needed to have CRS scores of 350 points or higher. Although it is not the lowest score Alberta Express Entry has required, it is still significantly lower than the federal Express Entry minimums. The lowest CRS score that the federal Express Entry required in 2019 was 438. In contrast, the lowest score requirement in Alberta this year was 300. 

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has proven to be especially helpful for Express Entry candidates who have lower CRS scores. CRS score requirements are significantly lower than the federal draw. As a result, qualified candidates who are short just of the federal scores can boost their score with provincial nominations. Provincial nominations add 600 points added an applicants Express Entry profile. And such high scores all but guarantee a candidates’ selection in the federal Express Entry stream. Subsequently federal draws award successful candidates with Canadian permanent residence.

Qualifying for Alberta Express Entry 

The AINP looks to give provincial nominations to immigration candidates who meet any of their requirements. First, the candidate should have connections to Alberta. This could be a close family in Alberta, previous work history, a job offer, or experience attending school in the province. The candidate should also have the potential to contribute to economic development and the labour market. Finally, the program looks for immigration candidates who help the province meet their diversification objectives. 

Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

Alberta Extends 121 invitations through Express Entry

August 15t saw Alberta send out 121 invitations for candidates to apply for a nomination for Canadian permanent residence. All candidates were selected from Canada’s Express Entry system.

The province examined eligible profiles in the Express Entry system. Many of the accepted candidates had Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of just 400 points. As a result, candidates received Notifications of Interest (NOIs). The NOIs will allow them to apply for a provincial recommendation. If accepted, applicants will be rewarded 600 CRS points. Such high scores all but guarantee that the applicant will be selected in a federal express entry draw.

The Alberta Express Entry Stream uses the federal Express Entry System for the purpose of finding candidates well suited to the province who meet their eligibility requirements. This provincial stream has been implemented once before: this resulted in a draw on August 7th that saw 35 invitations issued. Some candidates in that draw had scores of only 352 points. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has sent over 5,500 NOIs since the Alberta Express Entry Stream launched.

Lower Scores for Alberta Express Entry

Creating a profile with the federal Express Entry system allows applicants to be considered in the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Additionally, Express Entry profiles create connections with any other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

The Alberta tends to select candidates with lower CRS score minimums compared to other Express Entry streams. For instance, score requirements have been as low as 300 in four different draws in Alberta this year. On the other hand, the lowest score in the 2019 federal Express Entry draws was 438 points.

The province of Alberta does not explicitly require previous work experience or a current job offer in the province. However, it does give priority to applicants with them. It also prioritizes those with a degree from a Canadian post-secondary school and those with close family currently living in the province.