Last Updated On 1 May 2024, 10:38 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
There have been multiple updates and changes from various Canada provincial nominee programs (PNPs) during the month of April.
Having knowledge of these new modifications helps existing candidates in the pool and future applicants, as well as authorized representatives, prepare the applications with up-to-date instructions.
In the month of April, the provincial nominee programs (PNPs) of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia made some changes.
This article enlists all the updates and changes made by these PNPs this month.
Every PNP candidate nominated under an Express Entry stream has to take a language exam.
In their Express Entry profile, applicants must list their exam results. The results of the test need to be valid.
Because test results in Express Entry are electronically verified with the testing agency, PNP-EE candidates do not need to submit a copy of their test results with their application.
Alberta PNP, officially known as Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, updated on April 23 that they are ending all the temporary processing measures for Ukrainian nationals effective April 30, 2024.
Furthermore, AAIP also updated the fees for worker streams and the farm stream, the fees for post-nomination services, requests for business performance agreement changes, and introduced a new fee to submit an expression of interest under the entrepreneur streams.
| Application/request type | Fee |
| Worker stream applications: Alberta Opportunity Stream; Alberta Express Entry Stream; Rural Renewal Stream; Tourism and Hospitality Stream |
$840 |
| Entrepreneur stream applications: Graduate Entrepreneur Stream; Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream; Rural Entrepreneur Stream; Farm Stream | $3,500 |
| Expression of Interest (required and evaluated based on points factors to determine if submission qualifies for an invitation to submit a full business application): Graduate Entrepreneur Stream; Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, or Rural Entrepreneur Stream | $200 |
| Request to Extend Nomination (Reissue of an expired nomination certificate after 6 months) | $150 |
| Request for a 204(c) Letter of Support from AAIP to apply for work permit | $150 |
| Request for a 205(a) Letter of Support from AAIP to apply for work permit | $150 |
| Request for Reconsideration | $250 |
| Request for Business Performance Agreement changes | $150 |
BC PNP provided an operational update regarding the Skills Immigration draw timing that is announced on a weekly basis.
Invitations to apply for BC PNP Skills Immigration will be sent to eligible registrations received prior to the day of the draw, with effect from April 30.
New registrations sent on the same day of the draw will not be considered for that particular BC PNP draw but will be taken into consideration for a later draw.
BC PNP draws are usually announced every Tuesday or sometimes on Wednesday.
So if you are someone planning on creating your profile with BC PNP, then you must create your registration prior to Monday if you want to participate in the same week’s draw.
MPNP has also provided an update ending the special measures for Ukrainian Expression of Interest (EOI) draws effective April 30, 2024.
However, Ukrainians can continue to submit their EOI like any other applicant does.
Furthermore, new Ukrainian applicants will also not be eligible for an application fee refund effective May 1, 2024.
As of April 26, Manitoba is also prioritizing assessments of submitted MPNP applications with expired or expiring work permits.
This measure is in response to the challenges faced by post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders and other work permit holders.
So MPNP candidates whose work permits have expired or will expire within the next 45 days need to notify the MPNP by completing the Skilled Worker Webform for priority processing.
NS PNP also provided an update regarding the Skilled Worker stream, which helps employers hire recently graduated international students and foreign workers whose skills are needed in Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program has stopped accepting applications in the Accommodation and Food Services sector as of April 17, 2024.
This measure is in place in order to handle current inventory because NS PNP received a large number of applications from candidates in this sector.
The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program, officially known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), now requires a newly updated Employer Form effective April 10, 2024.
As per the OINP update, this newly updated form is titled Application for Approval of Employment Position (Employer Form) and has version code 2024/04 on the bottom left corner of every page.
This revised form must be included with all new applications for a nomination to the Employer: Job Offer stream beginning on April 10, 2024.
OINP has clearly stated that they will return your application as incomplete and reimburse your payment if you upload an older version of the form.
