Last Updated On 21 July 2026, 10:39 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan set the 2026 target for admissions under the Provincial Nominee Program at 91,500. This accounts for nearly 24 percent of overall permanent residence admissions into Canada.
The first half of 2026 saw significant activity in the number of invitations to apply and nominations issued. Some provinces restructured their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), while others narrowed down on priority occupations.
With Canadian immigration more competitive than ever, prospective applicants need to consider every available pathway.
No immigration strategy is complete without exploring provincial nominee programs, making it increasingly important to understand how PNPs are changing, where opportunities may exist, the current state of play, and what applicants might expect for the remainder of the year.
This article looks at ITAs and nominations issued by provinces in the first half of 2026 and how they have performed relative to their provincial nomination allocation for the year.
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Key Takeaways
- Ontario issued 13,663 invitations to apply in the first half of 2026, before overhauling its streams entirely in June.
- Alberta issued 3,261 nominations in the first half of 2026, using just under half of its 6,403 annual allocation across 56 draws.
- BC issued approximately 2,764 invitations to apply under its Skills Immigration stream against a 5,254 nomination allocation.
- Saskatchewan issued 2,628 nominations, using 55 percent of its allocation.
- Manitoba issued 2,167 nominations through May, against a 6,239 annual allocation.
- Atlantic Canada’s four provincial nominee programs collectively issued more than 6,200 invitations to apply in the first half of 2026.
- Health care and skilled trades were priority sectors for almost all the provinces.
Table of Contents
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Issued Over 13,000 ITAs Before the Overhaul
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program issued 13,663 invitations to apply (not nominations) in the first half of 2026. The province has a nomination allocation of 14,119 for 2026.
- The Employer Job Offer stream drove most of the ITA volume, with 11,635 invitations issued. Within that stream, health care and early childhood education candidates received 3,302 invitations, the highest of any occupation-specific category. Skilled trades candidates received 1,404, and mining candidates received 759.
- Location-specific rounds for the GTA, Northern Ontario, Lanark or Leeds and Grenville, and Francophone candidates with a job offer accounted for a further 1,972 invitations combined.
- The Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams together accounted for 2,028 invitations before being permanently revoked as part of the OINP overhaul.
In June 2026, Ontario replaced eight existing streams with a single Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The new stream has three pathways: one for TEER 0-3 workers, one for TEER 4-5 workers, and one for self-employed physicians.
Our Prediction for OINP for the Second Half of 2026
The OINP’s expression of interest system is currently closed and is expected to open later this summer. No reopening date has been announced.
Given the volume of ITAs that have already been issued, we expect H2 to be slow for OINP. Based on the ITAs issued in the first half of the year alone, Ontario could potentially fill 96 percent of its nomination allocation.
The province may also launch Phase 2 of the OINP in the second half, which is expected to include pathways for healthcare workers (including those without a job offer) and entrepreneurs.
What This Means for OINP Candidates
Until the EOI system reopens, no new EOIs can be submitted. If you’re interested in the OINP, we recommend using this time to evaluate your eligibility for the three pathways under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream.
A job offer from an Ontario employer is a mandatory requirement for most applicants, so if you don’t have one yet, now is the time to focus on your job search.
If you’ve already received an ITA and have applied for a nomination, your application will be processed according to the eligibility requirements of the previous streams.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Used Almost Half Its Allocation in the First Half
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program held 56 draws across its worker streams in the first half of 2026. The province issued 3,261 nominations, using just under half of its 6,403 annual allocation.
The province allocated 5,165 nomination spaces — 80.6 percent of its 2026 allocation — to non-Express Entry PNP streams.
- The Alberta Opportunity Stream issued 6,032 invitations to apply to candidates already living and working in Alberta across eight rounds. This number alone accounts for almost the entire nomination allocation available to the province, which means that not everyone getting an ITA under this stream should expect a provincial nomination this year. In the first half of 2026, Alberta had issued 1,692 nominations under this stream.
- The Rural Renewal Stream issued 563 nominations, against its allocation of 1,000.
- The Tourism and Hospitality Stream issued 118 nominations.
- The Dedicated Health Care Pathways used 158 nominations against a 500-space allocation, with 342 spaces still available.
642 nominations were issued through Express Entry-aligned streams, representing roughly 20 percent of the total. This included:
- The Accelerated Tech Pathway issued 316 nominations, using over 52 percent of its spaces.
- Priority sector draws covering manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, health care, agriculture, and aviation together saw 16 draws and 822 ITAs. Mid-way through the year, only 326 nominations had been issued under this stream.
With about half of Alberta’s nomination allocation still available, most streams have room to remain active through the rest of the year.
Our Prediction for AAIP for the Second Half of 2026
About half of Alberta’s nomination allocation is still available for the year. We expect priority sectors, including health care, technology, construction, and manufacturing, to continue driving draw activity in the months ahead.
The Dedicated Health Care Pathways and Entrepreneur Streams both have almost 60-70 percent of their allocation room left.
The Tourism and Hospitality Stream only has 32 spaces left and may not see significant activity before year’s end.
What This Means for AAIP Candidates
If you are in the AAIP pool or planning to submit an EOI, the program has significant nomination room left for H2 2026. The province has several streams available, both through and outside the Express Entry system.
Processing times for AAIP applications vary by stream and range between 2 to 9 months. This means if you’re hoping to get a provincial nomination in 2027, now is a good time to start submitting an EOI.
BC Provincial Nominee Program Prioritized High Economic Impact Candidates
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued approximately 2,764 invitations to apply under its Skills Immigration stream in the first half of 2026.
Although the province has a nomination allocation of 5,254 for 2026, it did not disclose how many nominations have been issued to date.
In April 2026, BC reorganized its program around three priorities: Care, Build, and Innovate. The entry-level and Semi-Skilled stream was permanently closed as part of the overhaul and plans to launch student-specific streams for international graduates were cancelled.
From January through April, all Skills Immigration draws focused on High Economic Impact candidates. Targeted draws for Care and Build candidates were conducted after the restructuring.
Here is how invitations to apply broke down under the Skills Immigration stream in H1:
- High Economic Impact (Innovate): 2,089 ITAs across five draws
- Build: Construction Trades: 249 ITAs
- Care: Health: 234 ITAs
- Care: Childcare: 177 ITAs
- Care: Veterinary: 15 ITAs
As part of its Care priority, BC also announced a one-time initiative targeting up to 250 rural health care workers in cleaning, caretaking, and security roles. Registration for this pathway opened June 15 and closes August 31, 2026.
BC also conducted seven Entrepreneur stream draws in H1, issuing 78 invitations under the base stream and fewer than 25 under the regional stream.
Our Prediction for BC PNP for the Second Half of 2026
With roughly half of BC’s 2026 nomination room still estimated to be available, draw activity is likely to continue for the rest of the year. We expect the province to continue focusing on the occupations identified under the Care, Build, and Innovate categories in the second half of 2026.
What This Means for BC PNP Candidates
If your occupation falls under the 36 Care occupations or nine Build trades, you may have a chance at receiving an ITA through targeted draws in the second half of 2026.
If you are currently working in BC, with an annual salary of $120,000 or more, the High Economic Impact pathway under Innovate may also be an option. That pathway has consistently run the highest volume of draws so far this year.
If you’re a semi-skilled or unskilled worker outside of the province’s priority sectors, there is currently no pathway for you under the BC PNP.
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) Used 55 Percent of Its Allocation by June
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program issued 2,628 nominations as of June 30, 2026, using 55 percent of its 4,761 annual allocation.
SINP divides its nomination room into three categories. Priority sectors, including health care, agriculture, skilled trades, mining, manufacturing, energy, and technology, have at least 50 percent of the annual allocation reserved for them. Candidates in priority sectors can apply at any time, including from outside Canada.
Three sectors are capped: accommodation and food services, trucking, and retail trade. Together these account for a maximum of 25 percent of the annual allocation.
Candidates in capped sectors can only apply during designated intake windows and only if their work permits are close to expiry.
- Priority sectors: 1,466 nominations issued against 2,380 reserved spaces, using 62 percent of that room.
- Capped sectors: 718 of 1,190 nomination spaces filled. Competition within each intake window is high and spaces fill on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Other sectors: 444 of 1,191 nomination spaces used, with 62 percent of spaces still available.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Issued 2,167 Nominations Through May 2026
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program issued 2,167 nominations between January and May 2026, against an annual allocation of 6,239.
Of those, 697 were “enhanced” nominations, meaning they are aligned with the Express Entry system. Nomination numbers for June have not been released yet.
In Manitoba, the invitation to apply is called a “letter of advice to apply.” Between January and June, Manitoba held 12 rounds and issued 1,833 letters of advice to apply.
- The Skilled Worker Stream accounted for 1,210 letters of advice to apply, or 66 percent of the total.
- 537 letters of advice to apply went to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code.
Manitoba also conducted two occupation-specific selection rounds in the first half of 2026.
- Health care candidates received 192 letters of advice to apply.
- Education candidates, including secondary school teachers, elementary and kindergarten teachers, early childhood educators and assistants, and teacher assistants, received 431.
Our Prediction for SINP and MPNP for the Second Half of 2026
In Saskatchewan, priority sector candidates still have roughly 45 percent of the overall allocation available and can apply at any time. For capped sector candidates, 40 percent of allocated spaces are still available, but competition is intense.
We also expect Manitoba’s PNP to remain active, with nearly 66 percent of its nomination room remaining for the final seven months of the year.
Occupation-specific selections for health care and education in the first half of the year suggest these will remain priorities for draws through December.
What This Means for SINP and MPNP Candidates
Both Saskatchewan and Manitoba have identified priority occupations for their provincial nominee programs. If you’re interested in entering the pool or are already in one of these pools, you have a better chance of receiving an ITA if you’re in a priority sector.
Saskatchewan also conducts periodic intakes for capped sectors. If you’re in the accommodation and food services, trucking, or retail trade sectors, the September 7 intake is the next opportunity to submit an employer position assessment.
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) Issued 2,352 ITAs in the First Half of 2026
New Brunswick issued the most invitations to apply of the four Atlantic provinces in the first half of 2026, with 2,352 ITAs across three streams.
The province has not confirmed its 2026 nomination allocation but based on the increase seen across other provinces, we estimate its 2026 allocation to be approximately 3,600 nomination spaces.
- The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream accounted for 1,300 ITAs, focused on New Brunswick graduates and candidates with local work experience.
- The Strategic Initiative, which includes Francophone workers, issued 716 ITAs.
- The Express Entry Stream issued 336 ITAs, with most rounds focused on health care, professional and IT occupations, education, social and community services, construction trades, and manufacturing.
Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) Saw Its Streams Narrow
Nova Scotia restructured its program in February 2026, consolidating 10 streams into four: Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, Entrepreneur, and Nova Scotia Express Entry. The changes applied only to new EOI submissions. Candidates already in the pool were not affected.
Between January and May, the province issued 2,040 invitations to apply, with activity focused on health care, skilled trades, and other priority occupations. The province’s allocation, though not publicly disclosed, is estimated to be around 4,125 nomination spaces, suggesting considerable room remains for the second half of the year.
NLPNP Issued 1,246 ITAs By June 2026
Newfoundland and Labrador issued 1,246 invitations to apply in the first half of 2026. Based on increases seen across other provinces, its 2026 allocation is estimated at approximately 2,000 nomination spaces.
PEI PNP Issued 658 ITAs in the First Half of 2026
Prince Edward Island PNP issued 658 invitations to apply under its Labour Impact and Express Entry streams combined in the first half of the year. The province did not disclose how ITAs were split between the two streams.
PEI’s 2026 allocation is estimated at approximately 1,340 nomination spaces. The province holds draws on a pre-set monthly schedule, with six more draws expected before year’s end.
Our Prediction for Atlantic Canada PNPs for the Second Half of 2026
Health care and skilled trades appear as priority sectors across most Atlantic programs, a pattern that is likely to continue in the second half of the year. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have not confirmed their allocations for the year but have remained active so far.
Newfoundland and Labrador has issued ITAs equivalent to roughly 62 percent of its estimated 2026 allocation, the highest proportion of any Atlantic province at the halfway mark.
That leaves an estimated 750 spaces still available, though how many of the ITAs already issued convert to nominations will affect how much room the program has left.
Of the four Atlantic provinces, PEI is the most predictable in terms of timing, with monthly draws scheduled through December. With the other three provinces, predicting a draw cadence is hard but the ITA volume so far suggests there is still room for further rounds.
What Atlantic Canada PNP Candidates Should Watch for in H2 2026
Although Nova Scotia and New Brunswick restructured their PNPs to focus on priority occupations, Nova Scotia recently expanded these selection priorities to include in-province workers in other sectors as well.
All four of these provinces prioritize candidates already working in the community and employer support is an advantage.
The Atlantic provinces also select candidates through the federal Atlantic Immigration Program, so their selection room goes beyond just PNP allocations.
Based on the ITA numbers, the Atlantic provinces likely have around half their nomination room available for the year, so if you’ve been planning to submit an EOI, now is a good time to do so.
What This Means for Candidates Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs
For the provinces that disclosed nomination numbers — specifically Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba — roughly half of the 2026 nomination allocation remains available.
For Ontario and BC, which reported ITAs rather than nominations, it is hard to accurately predict how much nomination room is left for 2026.
Health care and skilled trades emerged as priorities across many provincial programs in the first half of 2026. However, candidates should bear in mind that labour market priorities can change.
This was made evident by structural and directional changes across the OINP, BC PNP, and Nova Scotia PNP in the first half of the year.
If you were in Ontario’s EOI pool under one of the eight former streams and did not receive an invitation, your EOI has been withdrawn. If you qualify under the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, you will need to register again once the new EOI system opens later this summer.
Finally, keep in mind that submitting an EOI for a provincial nominee program is only the first step and processing at each stage takes time. This means an ITA or nomination received now will likely not result in permanent residence until 2027.
If you are hoping to secure a provincial nomination, follow our live PNP tracker for the latest draws and program updates and sign up for our newsletter to have the latest immigration news delivered straight to your inbox.
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