How did the Express Entry-linked PNP Streams perform in 2019? : A Review

Do you have a hesitation in applying for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry-linked streams? Clear all your doubts and read further to get a basic idea about the performance of these streams in the year 2019. Express Entry System certainly provides the best pathway to immigrate to Canada. It controls the pool of candidates for the three main immigration classes- Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and Federal Skilled Worker. The year 2019 has been active for the Express Entry-linked provincial nominee categories. A large number of Immigrants has exercised the use of provincial nominee streams to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Programs in focus:

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are one of the easiest ways to secure permanent residency in Canada. With the exception of Nunavut and Quebec, each province has its own provincial nominee program. Through the PNP, a province is able to nominate candidates for permanent residence who fit well to their market needs. The progressive increase in the annual allocations for the PNPs of each province is the testament to the growing importance of these immigration programs. The nine provinces and two territories of Canada runs the effective Provincial Nominee Program. Each of these province and territory has at least one “enhanced” Express Entry-linked immigration stream. The Express Entry linked provincial nominee streams ensure that the provinces and territories of Canada select skilled workers who meet their particular labour market needs.

Ontario makes it big

Ontario, being the most populous province of Canada, has a popular nominee program known as Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP). Further, the OINP has three categories that are associated with the Express Entry pool- Human Capital Priorities, Skilled Trades Stream, and French-Speaking Skilled Worker. In 2019, Ontario has issued an aggregate 8,906 invitations to apply for permanent residence to the Express Entry candidates through its three Express Entry-linked nomination streams. The Human Capital Priorities Stream performed better than the other two. It alone issued 6,958 invitations out of total 8,906. Ontario started a new initiative in July, 2019 in the form of Tech Draws. By means of Human Capital Priorities Stream, OINP targets a set of six in-demand IT occupations. The two tech draws resulted in 3,396 invitations sent to Express Entry candidates who had a legitimate work experience in one of the six listed IT fields.

The most talked about Nominee Program of Alberta turn heads

One of the fastest growing provinces in Canada, Alberta turned out as the most active province owing to its Express Entry Stream. The Alberta Express Entry stream permits the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) to select candidates from the Express Entry pool, who can help in the economic development of the province. With 31 Selection rounds in total, Alberta issued 6,884 invitations to the candidates who had a profile in the Express Entry pool. None of the round had Comprehensive Ranking System score higher than 400. Surely,with the low CRS scores, the AINP emerged as the most easiest pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

Nova Scotia targets specific occupations

The Atlantic province of Canada, Nova Scotia also issued several invitations to the candidates, especially through its Express Entry linked Labour Market Priorities Stream. The stream enables Nova Scotia to search the Express Entry pool and select candidates for specific occupations. This dynamic stream selects only those candidates who meet the special requirements of the labour market. In 2019, the Nova Scotia Nominee program used Labour market priorities stream to meet labour shortages in the fields of auditing, social work, advertising, marketing and public relations.

Saskatchewan shows a series of activities

Saskatchewan is the sunniest province of Canada with a low unemployment rate. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) helps skilled workers, foreign nationals working in Canada, Entrepreneurs and Experienced farmers among others to apply for provincial nomination. SINP has an enhanced stream, Express Entry sub-category, that invites international skilled workers who can fill the labour market needs. The Express Entry sub-category is associated with the Express Entry system which is administered by the federal government. The year 2019 ended with 4,836 invitations circulated to the Express Entry candidates by SINP. Definitely, the Provincial Nominee Programs are showcasing a more fair and transparent way for immigration to Canada. With regular innovation and creation of several opportunities, the Express Entry-linked streams of the PNP are acting as a two-way street. The employers in the province are able to find workers who match their requirements and the immigrants get a chance to secure permanent residence. The federal government is also working towards improving the PNP and increasing the allocations prescribed to each province.