International Dentists Dilemma about Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) of Canada.

As international dentists when you think about Immigrating to Canada, Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) is something which always grab your attention. Apart from Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nomination Program is one of the popular ways to immigrate to Canada. Provincial Nomination Program is a stream where a province in Canada nominates you based on your credentials (like education, job offer etc.) or profession (if your profession is in their in-demand list). Once provincial nomination is granted you are eligible to get 600 additional points on top of your existing score and you get that golden ticket to Invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency under no program specific or provincial nomination class draw.

There are two ways you can get nominated for PNPs –

1.You contact directly to province for nomination under their own express entry system. If province nominates you then you can create an express entry profile or can update your existing express entry profile showing your nomination.

2.While creating express entry profile you show interest for province and if that province sends you notification of interest (NOI) you can accept it through your express entry profile and can apply to that province’s express entry stream.

So, in both scenario you must create express entry profile. You either prepare your express entry profile before or after being nominated from province.
The main purpose of PNP is that the candidate has skills, education or work experience which can contribute to the economical progress of that province. To achieve that provinces, create a list of in-demand job lists of certain professionals. There are some popular PNPs which attracts many international skilled workers to Canada.

1.Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP)– It is an economically driven immigration program where the candidate must have education or skill to fill the job shortage or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. There are two streams for foreign skilled workers who are already living in Alberta or wants to make Alberta their home.
a. Alberta Opportunity Stream – Qualified candidates who live and work in Alberta and have a job offer from an Alberta employer can apply for an AINP nomination.
b. Alberta Express Entry Stream – Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be asked to apply. International graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream. You may receive NOI if you have active EE profile, stated interest in permanently immigrating to Alberta, have minimum 300 CRS score. The factors which increase your chances to get NOI are, if you have job offer or work experience in Alberta, you are a graduate of Canadian post-secondary institute, or have parent, child, brother, or sister who is PR of Canada living in Alberta.

2.British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (BC PNP)– This program is connected to federal express entry system. BC PNP has total of four streams which makes candidates eligible for provincial nomination.
a. Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC)– Skilled Worker– This category targets the high demand job which requires for British Columbia’s growing economy. Candidates needs to have valid job offer from employer in British Columbia.
b. Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC)– Healthcare Professional– British Columbia needs more health care professionals. The Express Entry BC (EEBC) – Healthcare Professional category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) helps physicians, specialists, nurses and allied health professionals put your valuable skills to work in the province and get permanent residence. Candidates need a valid job offer from employer from British Columbia. Also, to practice medical profession you need to have a license to practice these professions in Canada.
c. Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC)– International Graduate– If you have graduated from a designated learning institutes from Canada in last three years and have a valid job offer from BC employer then you might get nominated under this category.
d. Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) – International Post-Graduate– Candidates who have graduate degree in science from designated BC institutes then you might get job opportunity in BC’s growing technology, healthcare, and applied science sector. This category does not require valid job offer.

3. Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (MPNP) –This program is linked to federal express entry program. It is driven by local needs of Manitoba employers. Trained foreign workers who have enough work experience needed in Manitoba market are nominated by province. If you are eligible under any of the four categories of MPNP then you can submit the Expression of Interest (EOI).
a. Skilled workers in Manitoba– Must have valid job offer from Manitoba employer.
b. Skilled Worker Overseas– Establish connection to Manitoba like family member or friends in Manitoba, education, or previous work experience in Manitoba.
c. International Education Stream– Candidates who have graduated from Manitoba institutes or universities.
d. Business Investor Scheme– The Business Investor Stream (BIS) allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba.

The highest scoring candidates with connection to Manitoba are selected and invited to submit MPNP application. If your application is successful, then you must make a separate application to federal express entry system with nomination from Manitoba province.

4. Ontario Immigration Nomination Program (OINP)– This is one of the most popular PNP among all others. It allows foreign workers, international students, business owners from outside Canada to apply for permanent residency in Ontario. There are three categories under which candidates are eligible to apply.
a. Employer job offer category– Candidate must have a valid job offer from Ontario employer under three streams
• Foreign Worker Stream– For worker in skilled position.
• International Student Stream– For recent graduates from Ontario institute.
• In-demand skills stream– for intermediate skilled workers in specific sectors, such as agriculture, construction, trucking and personal support workers.
b. Human Capital Category– This has two sub-categories.
• International Graduates– To qualify under the Master’s Graduate or PhD Graduate streams, you must have a graduate degree from an eligible Ontario university and apply within two years of getting your degree.
• Ontario Express Entry– To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must have received a notification of interest from Ontario and have an up-to-date profile with your most current work experience, language tests and education in the federal government’s Express Entry system. Ontario looks for French speaking candidate in express entry system, candidates with specific NOC with CRS score between 463 to 467.
c. Business Category– The business category has one stream. You must be an entrepreneur from outside of Canada who is looking to implement a new business idea or buy and grow an existing business in Ontario.

5. Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP)– Dentists and dental professionals are not eligible to apply for Occupations In-Demand (OID) and Saskatchewan Express Entry (EE) program sub-categories.

6. Atlantic Immigration Pilot– This program was launched in 2017 which enables employers in Atlantic Canada (provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia etc.) to hire international skilled worker or international graduates who wish to live and work in Atlantic Canada region. This program has three categories.
a. Atlantic High Skilled Program– Management professional with Canadian university or college degree and be in Atlantic region for past one year.
b. Atlantic International Graduate Program– Must have lives in Atlantic region for 16 months to 2 years before getting your college degree. Full-time two-year college or university degree.
c. Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Program– This program is mainly for skill level C professionals.

Apart from above mentioned PNPs there are other programs as well from provinces like Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick etc. but they are broadly covered under Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Also, when a certain province nominates a candidate, they expect that candidate to work and live in that province to drive and contribute towards the progress of the economy and community of that province. This is the reason one should be very cautious and careful while selecting PNPs.
Based on above interpretation all PNPs are driven and based on their local economic needs and requirements. Dentists and dental professionals come under highly regulated profession which require a license from designated authority from Canada to practice. International dentists who do not have license to practice dentistry in Canada cannot apply for any jobs in Canada, as a result they will never receive a job offer from Canadian employer. More predictable way for international dentists who are not eligible or have CRS score way below current draw trend for federal skilled worker program of express entry should consider getting admission in education program in Canada. International dentists can apply to various educational programs in Canada that I have discussed in my previous webinars and blogs.

*All the information is from official and government channels and websites.