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Canada Provincial Nominee Program Without Job Offer

Last Updated On 11 May 2024, 8:03 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Provinces in Canada use the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to fill specific local labour shortages.

Unlike the Express Entry high federal skilled worker draws, the PNPs continued throughout the pandemic and continues during the new targeted draws .

For this reason, the provincial nominee program continues to be a viable pathway for Canadian permanent residency.

Apart from this, provincial nomination gives additional 600 points to your Express Entry profile.

Most PNP programs have mandatory requirement to have a job offer, work experience or education from that particular province.

However, some PNPs consider applicants based on their ability to alleviate labour shortages in the province.

This article will discuss PNPs that do not essentially require a job offer or previous work experience in the province. 

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker Stream

The province of Saskatchewan is in Canada’s prairie region, between Alberta and Manitoba. It is becoming increasingly popular because of its economic growth and job opportunities. 

Under Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker are Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry streams.

Additionally, Saskatchewan handpicks candidates using the Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

To submit an Expression of Interest under Occupations In-Demand, an applicant must have: 

Moreover, Express Entry candidates can apply under the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream. To apply under this stream, you must: 

  • Have an Express Entry profile 
  • At least one year of post-secondary education 
  • One year of skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (not included on SINP’s Excluded Occupations List).

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The province of Alberta picks candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for provincial nomination. An applicant cannot apply to AAIP.

This stream is beneficial because it considers Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300.

Therefore, many candidates have a chance to receive a Notification of Interest from the province.

However, having a CRS score above 300 does not guarantee an invitation from Alberta’s Express Entry stream. 

Furthermore, with each round of invitations, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program publishes the CRS scores of the lowest-ranking candidate.

However, it does not reveal any targeted criteria. Below are a few factors that may help improve chances, but are not mandatory requirements: 

  • Job offer or work experience from an Albertan employer
  • Graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution from Alberta
  • Having a parent, child, brother and/or sister who is a permanent resident living in Alberta, or a Canadian citizen living in Alberta

Click here for 68 high demand jobs and ineligible occupations for Alberta.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream 

Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities is another stream that selects candidates from the Express Entry pool. It is important to note that Nova Scotia does not post its targeted occupation or criteria. However, this stream does not essentially require a connection to the province. The minimum eligibility criteria include: 

  • having a valid Express Entry profile 
  • Indicating interest in Nova Scotia.
  • Must receive a Letter of Interest in the Express Entry profile from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
  • Must have legal status in the country of residence when applying.  

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