How Canada plans to increase provincial immigration by 66% through healthcare, agriculture and skilled trades sectors in 2026

By Admin
(0) comments
March 22, 2026

How Canada plans to increase provincial immigration by 66% through healthcare, agriculture and skilled trades sectors in 2026

Canada’s PNP was created in 1998 to distribute and expand the economic benefits of immigration beyond the country’s largest metropolitan areas. It is one of the most popular routes for immigration of skilled workers. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a Canadian immigration pathway that allows provinces and territories to nominate skilled workers, business professionals, and graduates who have the skills and experience needed to contribute to their local economies. Each province has its own specific streams and eligibility criteria tailored to regional job market needs. Through the PNP immigration consultants, candidates can apply for permanent residence more quickly if they demonstrate a genuine intent to live and work in that province. The Provincial Nominee Program Canada is an excellent option for individuals seeking to build a stable future in Canada while supporting local community growth and development.

Note: This document’s purpose is to only inform and could be changed as policies are updated. This article was last updated on November 15, 2025. For official information relating to Canadian student visas and immigration, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, or contact a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant.

Updates on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the federal government has decided to target 91,500 permanent resident (PR) admissions in 2026, which forecast an increase from last year’s target of 55,000 admissions, therefore indicating a positive shift for PNP candidates across Canada.

The Immigration Levels Plan announces admission targets for 2026, along with notional targets for 2027-2028.

Two years before, the federal government reduced permanent admissions targets for the PNP by 50%. But for 2026, they have decided to nearly double the targets, increasing provincial immigration by 66%. And in 2027, 67% compared to targets announced in 2025.

Provinces are now able to create and designate their own provincial immigration streams with preferable skills or talent, giving them the authority to nominate individuals who could not qualify for Express Entry. For example, Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan received increased immigration quota

Under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for 2025.

Saskatchewan has received an increase of 1,136 nominations.

Under this Program, the total allocation for the year has been brought to 4,761

It has been estimated that jobs in trucking, accommodation, food service, and retail trade will be incorporated in 25% of the new nominations.

Despite these sectors reaching their 25% nomination cap in June, after which the SINP started returning applications in these sectors; the procession of some applications in these sectors will begin again due to the increase in quotas.

The remaining large part of 75% of the new nominations will be directed towards the non-capped sector, prioritizing healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades sectors.

How does the increase in PNP targets affect the immigrants?

Since most PNP streams prefer candidates who have worked or studied in their province, this increase in nomination quota could benefit PNP candidates who are temporary residents. Basically, the work permit and the study permit holders in Canada. It will allow them a much easier transition to Permanent Residency (PR). PNPs function as an excellent alternative to Canada’s Express Entry system for candidates seeking PR but cannot speak proficient French, or who do not have high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders, the students who have graduated and transformed their work status can benefit from these changes as they are usually among the most eligible candidates for PR.

In addition, PGWP holders who receive a nomination and apply for PR can also benefit from a bridging open work permit (BOWP). This will allow them to maintain a valid work status while awaiting a decision on their PR application.

Who can benefit from the PNP the most?

Do not have high enough CRS scores to meet the cut-off scores for draws under Express Entry.

· Fail to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
· Are in NOC TEER 4 or 5 lower-skilled occupations.
· Are seeking PR through specific provincial business or entrepreneurship streams.
· Are seeking PR from outside Canada; or
· Are International student graduates who have studied in a particular province and are seeking a nomination.

The issue of workforce shortages is looked after by expanding provincial nomination quota. With the federal government removing added CRS points for arranged employment from Express Entry in 2025, the PNP is important for employers who are seeking to keep foreign workers as employees.

How the targets of provincial nominations determined by IRCC

Invitations to Apply (ITA) or nominations of PNP are not similar to the Admission targets. They make us aware of how many people Canada expects and allow to welcome.

The IRCC assigns each province an annual nomination allocation to meet PNP admissions targets. This is the number of applicants each year a province can nominate under its PNP.

Due to processing timelines for permanent residency applications, allocation levels often result in delayed admissions.

With higher nomination allocations, provinces can extend more invitations to potential immigrants through their provincial draws.

It’s also worth noting that the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) typically exceeds the number of available nominations to account for refusals and incomplete applications.

The trends and changes in Provincial Nomination Program in 2025

Under the previous Immigration Levels Plan (2025–2027), the federal government reduced provincial immigration admission targets by 50% compared to the year before. The cut triggered immediate downstream effects at the start of January, with most provinces and territories seeing their PNP nomination allocations similarly halved.

In response to the reduced quotas, several jurisdictions adjusted their immigration programs—pausing or discontinuing certain PNP streams and narrowing their intake to applicants working in priority sectors or occupations.

Following are the major changes in the trends of PNP:

British Columbia suspended the launch of three new graduate streams and placed all International Post-Graduate applications submitted after September 1, 2024, on a wait-list.

· Nova Scotia shifted its focus to candidates employed in healthcare, social assistance, and construction, particularly those with work permits set to expire in 2025.
· Prince Edward Island began prioritizing skilled workers in healthcare, trades, childcare, and other sectors experiencing acute worker shortages.
· New Brunswick gave precedence to applicants in health, education, and construction occupations, and halted the intake of new Expressions of Interest for its Strategic Initiative stream.
· Saskatchewan restricted overseas recruitment to applicants in healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades, while imposing a 25% nomination cap on workers in transportation, retail, and accommodation and food services.

Since January, the majority of provinces and territories — with the exception of Ontario and Prince Edward Island — have secured increased nomination allocations from the federal government, highlighting the growing efforts to meet regional job market demands.

Changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) in 2025

In January, Saskatchewan’s nomination allocation under the SINP for 2025 was reduced by half compared to the previous year. Alongside this cut, the federal government introduced a new requirement stating that 75% of all nominees must already be living in Canada.

For the remaining 25% of nominations available to applicants outside the country, Saskatchewan is prioritizing individuals working in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades. This targeted approach reflects the province’s effort to address critical workforce shortages while adapting to reduced federal allocations.

Conclusion

Overall, the federal decision to restore and expand Provincial Nominee Program allocations marks a significant shift in Canada’s immigration direction for 2026 and beyond.

After a year of reduced quotas and tightened provincial programs, the renewed emphasis on regional job market needs and priority sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades signals a more targeted and economically responsive approach. Provinces now have greater flexibility to select candidates who are already contributing to their communities, while temporary residents—including international graduates and foreign workers—gain a clearer pathway to permanent residency. As provincial allocations continue to adjust and new sector-focused strategies take shape, the PNP is poised to remain one of the most important drivers of Canada’s immigration system and a key tool in supporting long-term workforce and demographic stability across the country.

Admin

previous post next post