Immigration and Citizenship Services - What’s New in Provincial (Immigration) Nominee Programs

What’s New in Provincial (Immigration) Nominee Programs

Provincial (Immigration) Nominee Programs (“PNP”) are assuming a more significant role in immigration in Canada. There are new changes to PNPs being announced on a regular basis. British Columbia and Manitoba are PNPs with significant recent changes. Newfoundland and Labrador PNP is now reorganized and again open for business.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program will be announcing a new program that will allow physicians to be nominated by BC PNP. In order to be eligible physicians will need to meet certain requirements such as:

be here on a work visa;

have passed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluation Examination (if required); and

have obtained a letter from the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons confirming the MCCEE has been passed (if required), has received a positive assessment from his/her supervising physician, and that the physician is now eligible to apply to the BC PNP.

After the physician has written and passed the MCCEE and has the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons letter, the physician can apply for both a three year extension of the work visa or apply to BC PNP.

To accommodate these changes, one of the categories under BC PNP Strategic Occupations will be renamed to cover Health Care Professionals. A similar program will also be set up for midwifes.

BC PNP Strategic Occupations (deals with skilled workers) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 has already exceeded its target number of applications of 300. BC PNP Strategic Occupations will likely have a large increase in the target number of applications for the April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 fiscal year. The target number could be as high as 600 which is double last year’s target.

BC PNP Business (deals with businessmen) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 will also likely see a substantial increase in number of applications, money invested and jobs created. This year alone, 84 candidates (and their dependents) have been approved under the program. Of these, 62% will live in communities outside Greater Vancouver.

These new 84 candidates have committed to invest more than $73 million, and to creat 573 full-time jobs. BC PNP Business will also have a similar large increase in the target numbers for the fiscal year ending April 1, 2006.

On February 8, 2004, the Province of Manitoba announced a new Immigration Program for Young Farmers incorporating a specific section for agriculture into its Provincial Nominee Program for Business

The new farmer program has been designed to help build the rural Manitoba economy and increase population in small communities. It intends to attract 100 new immigrants to Manitoba annually.

The basic qualifications for an applicant to be eligible under the program are:

40 years old or under;

Farm experience is helpful but not necessary;

Minimum investment of $150,000 in a farming operation;

No minimum Personal Net Worth required;

Business proposal showing a minimum income of $35,000 before

taxes is required for the first year. Applicants may look for jobs outside the farming operation;

It is expected that Applicants will become familiar with the Manitoba mentorship farm program and to determine the availability of the farming opportunities before they move to Manitoba. They are not required to purchase a farm until after they have been issued their immigrant visas

A cash deposit will be required

The intention of the program is to attract young farmers to the Province recognizing that they may be required to derive income from outside the farming operation during the first year in Manitoba. This is a unique program not restricted to individuals with previous farming experience who have the intention and ability to purchase a farm and thereby integrate into rural Manitoba communities.

The reorganized Newfoundland and Labrador PNP has both a Skilled Worker and a Business Category.

To qualify under the Skilled Worker category some of the key requirements are: job offer from employer in Newfoundland; job offer is in an area listed on the Strategic Sector List; and enough points to pass under the assessment test.

There are two types of Business categories: Immigrant Entrepreneur and Immigrant Partner. To qualify under Immigrant Entrepreneur some of the key requirements are: establishing an active business or purchasing and expanding an existing business in Newfoundland or Labrador in a strategic sector category; net worth of $750,000; minimum liquid assets of $350,000; minimum investment of $200,000 (within Greater St. John’s region) or minimum investment of $100,000 outside of Greater St. John’s region; minimum 5 years business experience; good faith deposit of $25,000; exploratory visit; and business plan. The Immigrant Partner category is intended for prospective immigrants with business and/or entrepreneurial skills and expertise who wish to partner, in a limited manner, with other additional immigrants (to a maximum of 3 additional immigrant partners) in establishing a new business to be located in Newfoundland or Labrador or invest in expanding existing Newfoundland or Labrador company.

For professional guidance, assistance and assessment please contact us at:

BRIAN EDWARD TADAYOSHI TSUJI
Canadian Immigration and Business Law Office
Member of International Immigration Law Group
info@immigratingtocanada.com bett@istar.ca

501-134 Abbott Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 2K4
Telephone: (604) 688-2286 :: Fax: (604) 687-2286

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BRIAN EDWARD TADAYOSHI TSUJI,
Canadian Immigration and Business Law Office
Member of International Immigration Law Group

501-134 Abbott Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 2K4
Telephone: (604) 688-2286 :: Toll Free: 1-888-299-0111
Fax: (604) 687-2286 info@immigratingtocanada.com bett@istar.ca