Statistics Canada recently publicized a report concerning PNP candidates and their earnings in different provinces. It discovered that Ontario, Alberta & BC are the highest-earning provinces for PNP Candidates. As per the report, immigrants who come to Canada under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) might make more money if they choose to live in one of these three most populated and popular provinces.

Highest Earning Provinces for PNP Candidates

The study discovered that throughout the nation, the average earnings of PNP candidates vary significantly among the provinces.

Notably, the highest yearly salaries for PNP candidates in 2020 within just one or two years after their arrival were recorded in these three provinces. It was $59,600 in Ontario, $58,100 in British Columbia, and $54,200 in Alberta.

 Regarding the lowest salaries in Canada for PNP candidates, Atlantic Canada, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan topped the list. 

According to the report, the differences are due to the background characteristics of PNP principal applicants and the unemployment rate.

This remained consistent regardless of how long it had been since arrival, whether one or five years. The study determined this was partially due to various economic conditions between provinces and the characteristics of each candidate under PNP. 

The background characteristics of PNP candidates include a lower education level or little to no pre-landing Canadian work experience or education. The official language abilities of Candidates are also taken into consideration.

In provinces with high unemployment rates, there is high competition for high-skilled positions. Thus, new and Canadian-born job seekers may be required to work in lower-salary positions.

For instance, as per Statistics Canada’s latest report, in November 2023, the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador was 10%. On the contrary, the unemployment rate in British Columbia was 5.3%. 

Analyzing the connection between Immigration Pathways and Earnings.

Statistics Canada also discovered a notable variation in the earnings of economic immigrants based on different immigration programs or pathways.

In addition, the report also found that since 2005, the immigration programs with the highest earnings candidates have shifted from PNP to Express Entry programs, including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

The report showed that various elements significantly contributed to the differences in the entry salaries among the PNP and FSWP newcomers.

These factors include age, educational achievements, language abilities, pre-landing Canadian job and study experience, and the source region. 

Notably, the most significant changes occurred after 2015 IRCC introduced the Express Entry system for application management for the first time.

To immigrate to Canada under Express Entry, candidates need the following:

• An Educational Credential Assessment for any foreign education;
• Formal language tests to fulfill minimum official language requirements; and
• High scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS, which assesses various human capital factors

As per the study, compared to PNP candidates, the CRS scores were higher among CEC and FSWP candidates.

Candidates’ high CRS scores indicate they have in-demand attributes when immigrating to Canada. This means that they are more likely to find skilled work with higher income compared to other candidates. 

The PNP does not employ the CRS to assess candidates who are not already Express Entry candidates. Also, candidates in some PNP streams, i.e., targeting entry-level and semi-skilled candidates, might not need the equivalent education level or work experience to immigrate to Canada. 

Among the three Express Entry programs, CEC is one of the most popular. 

According to the IRCC data, between January and September 2023, in Express Entry draws, 23,910 candidates under CEC obtained an Invitation to Apply (ITA). 

As per the same data, 15,855 ITAs were issued to Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates. Also, 13,655 to Provincial Nominee Program candidates.

What is the PNP in Canada?

In Canada, the PNP or Provincial Nominee Program is an economic immigration program that offers permanent residence to applicants. 

In Canada, PNP is managed jointly by the federal and provincial governments. This is because, as per IRPA, or the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act, immigration is a collaborative responsibility between the federal and provincial governments. 

The provincial government employs PNPs to choose immigrants who can best help the government address the regional needs of the local market with in-demand human capital traits. 

These applicants are selected by the province, which strengthens the application for permanent residence when applying to IRCC.

Each year, the immigration department specifies the immigration targets for Provincial Nominee Programs in the annually-issued Immigration Levels Plan. 

As per the recent immigration target, in 2024, Canada will accept 110,000 new PRs under the PNP. In addition, in both 2025 and 2026, 120,000 PNP immigrants are expected. 

The department additionally breaks this immigration target into immigrant allocations for each Canadian province. 

There are various factors that decide the nominations for each province. These include the availability of settlement services, existing population, and labor market requirements.

As Ontario, Alberta & BC are the highest-earning provinces for PNP Candidates, immigrating to these provinces can help to make a good income.