British Columbia has released invitations to candidates for provincial nomination under several immigration streams, while Alberta has also released new provincial nominee opportunities. Additionally, Alberta has released its latest processing time updates. Here’s an overview of the latest developments:
British Columbia Invitations
The BC PNP has released at least 25 ITAs in two separate draws that were held on November 13.
1. General Draw: A total of 10 ITAs were released, cut across different streams of choice.
| Stream | Minimum Score |
| Skilled Worker | 143 |
| Skilled Worker – Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option | 143 |
| International Graduate | 143 |
| International Graduate – EEBC | 143 |
| Entry-Level & Semi-Skilled | 121 |
2. Category-Based Draw: No fewer than 15 ITAs were released within the Skilled Worker and International Graduate Streams. All applied for processing through the EEBC option.
| Category | Number of ITAs issued | Minimum Score |
| Childcare | 5 | 102 |
| Construction | 4 | 105 |
| Healthcare | 5 | 113 |
| Veterinary care | <5 | 80 |
Under BC PNP, applicants can either apply directly through the base PNP or link an application with an Express Entry profile through the EEBC option.
The EEBC route offers a significant advantage, as permanent residence applicant processing is speeded up after a provincial nomination. This option comes with the condition of a valid Express Entry profile for which the candidate’s profile must be eligible under one of the three federal Express Entry-managed programs. Notably, the Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled stream is not eligible for the EEBC route.
Alberta Invitations
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program held four draws between October 15 and November 7, thus releasing opportunities for provincial nomination to applicants.
| Draw Type | Date of Draw | Number of invitations | Minimum score |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | November 7 | 187 | 50 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathway – non-Express Entry | November 4 | 33 | 44 |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry | November 4 | 65 | 51 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | October 15 | 302 | 70 |
Eligibility for draws are follow:
| Draw | Eligibility criteria |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 1. CLB 5 or higher2. Valid work permit3. 12+ months work experience4. Full-time Alberta job offer5. Job offer in an in-demand trade |
| Dedicated Healthcare PathwayDedicated Healthcare Pathway – non-Express Entry | 1. CLB 5 or higher2. Full-time Alberta job offer3. Legally authorized to practice regulated occupation |
| Dedicated Health Care Pathway – non-Express Entry | 1. Expiry date for Express Entry profile of April 4 2025 or later2. Full-time Alberta job offer3. CLB 5 or higher4. Legally authorized to practice regulated occupation |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 1. CLB 4 or higher2. Valid LMIA-based work permit3. Full-time Alberta job offer4. 6+ months Alberta work experience |
Alberta Processing Time Changes
On November 7, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program published their updated processing timelines, offering insights for those who applied under their respective immigration programs.
| Stream | Applications to be processed | 2024 nominations issued | 2024 nomination allocation | 2024 nomination spaces remaining |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 1,401 | 5,065 | 5,264 | 199 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 1,407 | 1,757 | 1,830 | 73 |
| Tourism and Hospitality Stream | 129 | 399 | 600 | 201 |
| Dedicated Healthcare Pathway | 19 | 79 | 110 | 31 |
| Accelerated Tech Pathway (EE) | 510 | 976 | 970 | 0 |
| Dedicated Healthcare Pathway (EE) | 17 | 471 | 670 | 199 |
| Law Enforcement Pathway (EE) | <10 | 12 | 20 | 8 |
| Priority sector draws and other initiatives (EE) | <10 | 165 | 164 | 0 |
| Family connection and occupation in demand (EE) | 0 | 107 | 106 | 0 |
| Entrepreneur Streams | 20 | 8 | 16 | 8 |
| Total of all streams | 3,507 | 9,039 | 9,750 | 711 |
The Alberta Provincial Government has devised specific measures to cater to the needs of those whose work permits are expiring in 2024.
| Stream | Applications in queue | Support letters issued |
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | 552 | 260 |
| Rural Renewal Stream | 295 | 31 |
Temporary Public Policy on Open Work Permits
August 11, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada published a temporary public policy that allows specific Provincial Nominee Program applicants to have open work permits. The new policy, implemented in collaboration with the participating Provinces, provides greater flexibility for the considerations of the candidates.
This policy has been adopted by Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon. This policy will continue till December 31, 2024; however, IRCC can cancel this policy earlier than the mentioned date.
Overview of Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program is an instrument of the provinces and territories to nominate those foreign nationals eligible for permanent residency in Canada.
Once nominated, applicants are normally required to apply for permanent residence. Except for Quebec and Nunavut, each of the provinces and territories has its PNP.
Quebec operates its immigration programs independent of the federal government as is evident in its QSWP and PEQ. This means that Quebec has a greater extent of control over its economic immigration process compared to the other provinces and regions in Canada.
