The purpose of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) is to assist territories and provinces in luring in talented immigrants in order to fill labor market gaps.
Thousands of applicants for permanent status have been invited by Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia in recent draws, demonstrating their varied and customized immigration strategies.
Ontario PNP Draws (September 2024)
Ontario conducted four new draws under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on September 10, 2024, issuing 2,487 invitations to apply for permanent residency. These draw targeted candidates under three streams.
As long as the candidates met the following qualifying standards, profiles submitted through the Expression of Interest (EOI) system between September 10, 2023, and September 10, 2024, were considered for these draws.
| Stream | Invitations | EOI Cutoff Score | Notes |
| International Student Stream | 1,017 | 67 and above | Targeted draw for 61 trade occupations. |
| International Student Stream | 806 | 67 and above | Targeted draw for 40 health occupations. |
| In-Demand Skills Stream | 649 | 34 and above | The general draw for 56 eligible occupations. |
| Foreign Worker stream | 15 | N/A | Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) |
The draws reflect Ontario’s commitment to addressing its labor market requirements by inviting a diverse range of candidates across multiple industries.
International Student Stream: Healthcare Occupations
- NOC 30010: Managers in healthcare
- NOC 31103: Veterinarians
- NOC 31110: Dentists
- NOC 31111: Optometrists
- NOC 31112: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- NOC 31120: Pharmacists
- NOC 31121: Dietitians and nutritionists
- NOC: Psychologists
- NOC 31201: Chiropractors
- NOC 31202: Physiotherapists
- NOC 31203: Occupational therapists
- NOC 31204: Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 31209: Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- NOC 31300: Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- NOC 31301: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 31302: Nurse practitioners
- NOC 31303: Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
- NOC 32100: Opticians
- NOC 32101: Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 32102: Paramedical occupations
- NOC 32103: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
- NOC 32104: Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- NOC 32109: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 32110: Denturists
- NOC 32111: Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- NOC 32112: Dental technologists and technicians
- NOC 32120: Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32121: Medical radiation technologistsNOC
- 32122: Medical sonographers
- NOC 32123: Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- NOC 32124: Pharmacy technicians
- NOC 32129: Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 32200: Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- NOC 32201: Massage therapists
- NOC 32209: Other practitioners of natural healing
- NOC 33100: Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- NOC 33101: Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- NOC 33102: Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- NOC 33103: Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- NOC 33109: Other assisting occupations in support of health services
Quebec Arrima Draw (September 2024)
On September 5, 2024, 1,417 invitations to apply for permanent residency (PR) under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) were given out by the most recent Quebec Arrima draw.
On September 9, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI) released the draw information.
The Arrima draw considered profiles valid as of September 3, 2024, at 6:25 a.m., meeting specific criteria: candidates needed an oral proficiency in French at Level 7 or higher and a minimum score of 575 points. Additionally, invitations were sent to those with Level 7 or higher proficiency in French and a valid job offer outside the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
British Columbia Draw (September 2024)
The latest BC PNP draw on September 10 issued around 151 invitations for permanent residency in targeted rounds.
A total of 84 invitations were sent to candidates in 35 tech occupations under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including their express entry options, with the cutoff score dropping by 1 point from the previous draw.
Additionally, 30 invitations were issued to early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202), 18 to healthcare professionals across 39 occupations, and 19 to applicants in 25 construction-related occupations under a new category-based draw launched in late 2023.
| Date | Draw type | Stream | MinimumScore | Number of invitations |
| September 10, 2024 | Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) | Skilled Worker, International Graduate(includes EEBC option) | 83 | 30 |
| Targeting 25 Construction occupations | 88 | 19 | ||
| Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations | 99 | 18 | ||
| Targeting 35 tech occupations | 117 | 84 | ||
| Veterinary care | 80 | <5 |
BC PNP Construction occupation
- 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
- 72102 Sheet metal workers
- 72103 Boilermakers
- 72104 Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters
- 72105 Ironworkers
- 72106 Welders and related machine operators
- 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- 72201 Industrial electricians
- 72300 Plumbers
- 72301 Steamfitters, pipefitters, and sprinkler system installers
- 72302 Gas fitters
- 72310 Carpenters
- 72311 Cabinetmakers
- 72320 Bricklayers
- 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- 72402 Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
- 72500 Crane operators
- 73100 Concrete finishers
- 73101 Tilesetters
- 73102 Plasterers, drywall installers finishers, and lathers
- 73110 Roofers and Shinglers
- 73111 Glaziers
- 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- 73113 Floor covering installers
Priority healthcare occupations:
- 30010 Managers in health care
- 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101 Specialists in surgery
- 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
- 31110 Dentists
- 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- 31120 Pharmacists
- 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
- 31200 Psychologists
- 31201 Chiropractors
- 31202 Physiotherapists
- 31203 Occupational therapists
- 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 31302 Nurse practitioners
- 31303 Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
- 32101 Licensed practical nurses
- 32102 Paramedical occupations
- 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- 32110 Denturists
- 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- 32112 Dental technologists and technicians
- 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
- 32121 Medical radiation technologists
- 32122 Medical sonographers
- 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- 32124 Pharmacy technicians
- 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
- 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- 41300 Social workers
- 41301 Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies
- 42201 Social and community service workers
The processing time for the BC PNP Skills Immigration stream is approximately three months. Similarly, post-nomination requests are also processed within three months.
The recent provincial draws in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia highlight Canada’s regional strategies to attract skilled immigrants who can meet specific labor market needs. Each province employs tailored criteria to ensure a steady influx of talent that supports economic growth and development.
