Canada is all set to launch six new programs under which applications will be invited for permanent residency for essential workers, international students, and French speakers living in Canada. The Date of Commencement of the six programs is May 6, 2021.
Third largest PNP draw of 2021 held by British Columbia
Until now, B.C. has held 23 draws through PNP, and a total of 3,441 invitations are issued in 2021. 452 candidates were invited in four PNP draws held by British Columbia on April 13, 2021.
Invitations issued were from the following streams:
- Skilled Worker
- International Graduate as well as Entry Level
- Semi-Skilled sub-categories of Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC

In the largest draw, 420 immigration candidates were invited, wherein minimum scores ranged between 79 and 95 points. A separate draw was conducted in 2021 for NOC 0621and NOC 0631, where 21 ITAs were issued to aspiring immigrants having at least 113 scores. B.C also issued 11 invitations through the Entrepreneur Immigration stream.
About the BC PNP
The BC PNP is separated into two immigration streams which are further divided into sub-categories:
- Skills Immigration
- Express Entry
Skills Immigration
Aspiring migrators must register an account under B.C.’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). After registering, candidates are given a score based on factors such as educational qualifications, professional experience, and language abilities. Candidates with maximum scores are then invited for PNP through B.C.’s regular draws.
After receiving the ITA, 30 days are given to submit a complete application through the online system, after which, within two to three months, a decision from the province is received. A successful nomination allows candidates to apply for P.R. through IRCC under Provincial Nominee Class, and this nomination is valid for six months.
Express Entry (B.C.)
The EEBC stream is linked to the federal Express Entry system. Candidates are assessed on various factors like education, work experience, language ability, age, etc. Express Entry is an online application system that allows aspiring skilled migrators to submit their profiles under three federal immigration programs;
- Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
When receiving a nomination from one of the Provinces, aspiring migrators who have submitted their Express Entry Pool profiles are awarded 600 additional points. A nomination that adds 600 points under PNP ensures that the nominated candidate will be receiving Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the succeeding express entry draw.
PNPs are all operative throughout the COVID pandemic. The Canadian government is focused on inviting 80,000 candidates through the PNPs. With the right guidance, aspiring migrators can achieve their goal of settling in Canada in one of their favorite provinces.
Online Application Portal launched by IRCC for 7 immigration programs
For traditional paper based immigration programs, the IRCC is digitizing the application process. The application portal for permanent residence in Canada was launched on April 1. The following seven programs that were previously paper based will now follow a more efficient and transparent online application process like most of the other Canadian immigration programs:
- Québec Selected Investor
- Québec Entrepreneur
- Quebec Self-Employed Persons
- Non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Applicants will still have the option to apply for these immigration programs on paper. The portal is introduced with a limited group of applicants to initiate a new procedure and improve the application process for prospective immigrants to Canada. The Canadian immigration department is also digitizing other paper-based immigration programs.
This online portal is focused towards providing immigration applicants with more options to apply for permanent residence and it will help the applicants avoid mailing delays they previously experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRCC is always developing tools and practices so that the immigration system can become more efficient and due to the pandemic the need for upgrading the current system has been accelerated.
Citizenship tests have been digitized and citizenship ceremonies are taking place online since March 2020 in Canada. An online landing process was also introduced by IRCC due to which approved permanent residents could avoid appearing for in-person interviews, in most cases.
For more updates and information regarding Canadian immigration programs, contact our Options Abroad today.
279 Candidates invited through Saskatchewan new PNP draw
On April 8, 2021, 279 immigration candidates were invited to apply through Saskatchewan’s PNP draw. Out of the 279 candidates, 146 candidates were invited from the Saskatchewan’s Express Entry and 133 candidates were nominated under the Occupations In-Demand stream.
To receive the invitation, the candidates must have an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of at least 71, irrespective of the stream. Also, Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) and work experience in one of the 58 in-demand occupations listed on the government website is required.

An ECA helps to validate a foreign qualification and gives a report that tells what an educational qualification is equivalent to, as per Canadian Standards.
Aspiring immigrants who fall under the Occupations In-Demand sub-category do not necessarily have a federal Express Entry profile. In fact, these candidates are equipped with work experience in an occupation in-demand in Saskatchewan and don’t need to have a job offer. Candidates can create an Expression of Interest Profile through the SINP’s online application system to apply for Canadian immigration under the Occupations In-Demand sub-category.
Through SINP’s online application system, candidates who have the capability to thrive in Saskatchewan are invited. Candidates are assessed on various factors like education, work experience, language ability, age, and links to the province. After being assessed on the above-mentioned factors, candidates are awarded points out of a scoring grid of 110 points.
Express Entry is an online application system that allows potential skilled immigrants to submit their profiles under three federal immigration programs;
- Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP),
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
After receiving a nomination from one of the many Provinces in Canada, aspiring immigrants to Canada who have submitted their Express Entry Pool profiles are awarded 600 additional points. A nomination that adds 600 points under PNP ensures that the nominated candidate will be receiving Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the succeeding express entry draw. To apply for one of the programs leading to Canadian Permanent Residency, contact Options Abroad powered by a board of experienced IRCC members, immigration lawyers, and leading visa and immigration experts.
British Columbia’s latest Tech Pilot Draw invited 80 immigration applicants
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program invites applicants who have successfully created and filed for immigration to Canada via the Express Entry pathway program. On April 6, 2021, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held a Tech Pilot draw wherein 80 invitations were issued by British Columbia for permanent residency for the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories.

Fast Track Immigration Pathway
Applicants selected are from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and need a provincial score of at least 80. This particular draw is a fast-track immigration pathway for tech workers and international students who are in demand in the province. Initiated in 2017 the project has been extended many times and most lately until June 2021.
Eligibility Criteria
· Applicant need to be registered in one of British Columbia’s provincial immigration streams
· Should have a lawful job offer of a minimum of 12 months in one of the Tech Pilot’s 29 entitled professions
How to Apply
Applicants looking forward to applying for the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC categories need to develop a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and must register under SIRS (Skills Immigration Registration System)
Evaluation Process
Candidates’ profiles are evaluated and given a score based on the following key factors:
1. Qualification
2. Total direct work experience
3. Job offer in B.C.
Express Entry
Express Entry applicants having received a nomination from British Columbia will receive an additional 600 points to their existing Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Such applicants have an extremely high probability of securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the upcoming Federal Express Entry draw. These draws are usually held twice a month and have previously sent invitations to around 5,000 potential immigrants. Ask a Options Abroad for FREE how you can Successfully Fast Track your Immigration Journey to Canada.