British Columbia, (hereinafter “BC”), Canada’s westernmost province, is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. Although BC happens to be Canada’s third most populous province, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (hereinafter “BC PNP”) offers three ways for you to become a permanent resident of BC: Skills Immigration; Express Entry BC and Entrepreneur Immigration. Your skill level, (as determined by the National Occupational Classification), your job, or your international student status are some of the most important determining factors in the application process.
Skills Immigration is for a skilled or semi-skilled worker in a high demand occupation of BC who wishes to apply for permanent residency in BC through a point-based invitation system. You earn the most number of points if your particular work skills match those required to perform a job in high demand in B.C.
The Express Entry BC level is for the entry level and semi-skilled worker who has work experience in BC.; whereas the system is more lenient in terms of its work requirements for skilled workers. For example, some skilled job categories do not require any work experience to have been acquired in BC, and depending on the job being offered, international graduates of a Canadian university may not need work experience either. Foreign Skilled workers with experience may apply from abroad through the points based system and faster system called Express Entry (EE). An EE applicant must first qualify for a federal economic immigration program and have relevant work experience. Whether that work experience took place in BC or elsewhere is irrelevant. Secondary factors such as a higher level of education or greater language proficiency can contribute additional points and make an application under EE more likely to be selected.
Entrepreneur Immigration is for high income or high net individuals who can invest in and actively manage a valid business in BC. As with the two other categories, this is also a points-based system. Individual applicants or companies which want to expand in BC and transfer key employees to BC as permanent residents, must be able to demonstrate financial solvency in addition to other requirements.
Manitoba (MB), which is bordered by Ontario to the East and Saskatchewan to the West, has an economy based largely on natural resources and agriculture and, as such, contributes greatly to Canada’s wealth.
Manitoba, like British Columbia, has a Provincial Nominee Program called MPNP. Prospective immigrants with skills and experience needed in MB may receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate, which speeds up the overall immigration process.
There are four pathways that are currently active or being restructured as part of MPNP.
The pathways are similar to those offered in British Columbia, but small difference do exist.
The Skilled Worker In Manitoba category operates through an “Expression of Interest’ system; whereby; applicants are invited to apply based on the score earned on the interest inventory questionnaire. The Manitoba Work Experience Pathway is for applicants being offered full-time and permanent job positions while they are currently working in Manitoba with temporary work permits or as international graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions. The Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway allows Manitoba employers to invite/ recruit qualified workers from outside Canada. The Skilled Worker Overseas category, uses a points-based system (rather than starting with an expression of interest questionnaire) to access qualified candidates who may be outside of Canada. Applicants must demonstrate a strong connection to Manitoba through friends and/or family (Manitoba Support) as well as education and work experience in Manitoba (Manitoba Experience). Additionally, these candidates must earn a minimum of 60 points according to five eligibility factors: age, language, proficiency, work experience, education, and adaptability. The Human Capital Pathway is open to foreign skilled workers with experience in Manitoba’s in-demand occupations who can also demonstrate the ability to establish themselves by making strong market connections to their occupation.
There is a subcategory of Skilled Worker Overseas called Express Entry (EE). These applicants meet Express Entry requirements, have an active Express Entry profile, have experience in an occupation listed in Manitoba’s in-demand occupations and have strong family connections to Manitoba. Like, other skilled workers who are based overseas, Express Entry is also a points-based system.
The Manitoba Business Investor Stream, our second category, is an “Expression of Interest” system; whereby applicants submit their intention to come to live and work in Manitoba. The most qualified are selected as eligible for either the Entrepreneur Pathway or the Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway. Under the program, entrepreneurs are eligible foreign business owners who would like to move to Manitoba to establish a business, buy a business, or co-own a business within the first two years of arriving in Manitoba on a temporary work permit. Farm Investors must have farm experience and sufficient capital to move to Manitoba and to establish and operate a farm in Manitoba.
The Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative, the third pathway, looks for individuals and / or families to live in the rural community of Morden, Canada. Candidates must fall within one of the targeted occupations such as welders, carpenters, cooks; and plumbers/pipefitters. The initiative will favor individuals with prior experience living in a rural areas. If selected as a potential immigrant, that person must participate in an exploratory visit to the area.
The International Education Stream allows international graduates of universities and colleges in Manitoba to apply for permanent residency in Manitoba through applications for the Career Employment Pathway; the Graduate Internship Pathway; or the Student Entrepreneur Pathway.
In addition to the Provincial Nominee Programs discussed here, there are many other ways to come to Canada, including as a temporary resident, a student, or a visitor. NPZ Law Group, P.C, an immigration and nationality law firm with US and Canada Immigration lawyers, is ready to help explore your options. Please feel free to visit us at www.visaserve.com or call the Canadian Division of NPZ Law Group, P.C. at 905-499-3853.
