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Pavel Lifanov: Provincial Immigration Is a Good Alternative for the Federal Programs.
Pavel Lifanov, the vice-president of Green Light Immigration, recommends to all those who are not eligible for Federal immigration programs to look at the provincial programs. Most economic immigrants apply for immigration using one of the Federal programs such as Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, or Canadian Experience Class. However, in addition to the Federal programs every Canadian Province also has its own immigration programs.
For instance, Ontario, which is the most populous Canadian province, still has about 4,000 spots available under Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) quota for this year. As of now, 2,901 applications under OINP have already been filled. If you have studied in Ontario, or have any skilled work experience in the province, you may get a provincial nomination.
On June 21, 2018, the government of Prince Edward Island issued 135 invitations to apply. The officials from the province’s immigrant nominee program, the PEI PNP, said candidates who received invitations were already working in the province. Candidates who wish to be considered under the provincial program must create a profile in the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system, which was introduced in February.
Manitoba has recently issued 592 invitations though Manitoba’s Expression of Interest pool. The June 21 draw issued invitations to candidates in Manitoba’s Skilled Workers in Manitoba itself, as well as Skilled Workers Overseas streams, with Express Entry candidates receiving invitations through the latter’s Express Entry Pathway. This pathway is linked to the federal government’s Express Entry system.
The Government of British Columbia announced the extension of its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) tech pilot program for another year, to help make it easier for IT companies to recruit top international specialists to British Columbia. The pilot is being extended until June 2019.
Finally, Alberta immigration authorities announced the opening of two new streams for immigrants: the Alberta Express Entry Stream and Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS). Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties with Alberta and who can help support the priorities of economic development and government diversification will be invited to apply. The AOS is a new stream that will enable foreign experts working in Alberta to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. In order to be eligible to participate in the AOS, candidates must be working in the province in a suitable profession and meet the minimum selection criteria for residency and employment status, occupation, language, education, work experience and income level.
Lifanov concluded: Provincial nominations are an additional step in the process of obtaining permanent residence; however, it is not the fastest way to obtain it. While almost all provincial nomination categories require the employer’s support, in many provinces international Graduate students have the option of applying for a nomination even without such support. Provincial nominations are not necessary to apply for permanent residence unless they are the only way to obtain sufficient points under the Express Entry or unless the candidate does not meet the federal programs’ requirements.