Canadian Immigration News

Immigrate to the Canadian Prairie Provinces

5 minute read
"The Prairie Provinces are located in western to central Canada. The Prairie Provinces include Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba from west to east. They have mountain ranges closer to the west coast through British Columbia and Alberta and are famous for their vast grasslands, perfect for agricultural purposes from Alberta, through to Manitoba."
Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on:  Apr 26, 2021
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The Prairie Provinces are located in western to central Canada. The Prairie Provinces include Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, from the west to east. They have mountain ranges closer to the west coast through British Columbia and Alberta and are famous for their vast grasslands, perfect for agricultural purposes from Alberta, through to Manitoba.

They are located in the heart of the continent making it a perfect destination for foreign immigrants who wish to immigrate to Canada. In terms of natural beauty, the Prairie Provinces are home to picturesque lakes, lush forests and mountains to the west and  east, flat prairie land, and suitable agriculture.

These provinces are the major hub for industries like petroleum, natural gas, food processing and agriculture services. With a diversified economy and ample need for a labor force, the Prairie Provinces favor foreign skilled workers who can contribute to the economic development of the provinces.

For that purpose, each Canadian province offers its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to nominate eligible applicants for permanent residency in the province.

How Can You Immigrate to the Prairie Province of Alberta?

Alberta is the westernmost province in the Canadian Prairie Provinces. Alberta has a thriving oil and natural gas industry. With concessional tax rates and a low cost of living: it is an attractive option for foreign nationals. Alberta is one of the richest provinces in Canada. It is also one of the most scenic and beautiful provinces in Canada. Covered with snowy mountains and crystal clear lakes, Alberta is a beautiful place to settle and raise a family.

You can apply for permanent residency in Alberta through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) if you are a semi-skilled or skilled foreign worker, international graduate or farmer.

It offers 2 immigration streams:

You can also apply for the Alberta Express Entry Stream if you are eligible for 1 of the 3 federal economic immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system.

The Express Entry aligned PNP streams are a faster way of gaining permanent residency for skilled foreign workers who qualify.

Take a look at our regularly updated Latest Express Entry Draw Updates and our Canada PNP Draw Updates.

How Can You Immigrate to the Prairie Province of Saskatchewan?

Saskatchewan is a landlocked province hosting thousands of lakes, vast grasslands, dunes and dense forests. It is a mineral-rich land with a low unemployment rate and therefore, is an attractive destination if you wish to immigrate to Canada for work. Saskatchewan is also considered a flexible province for immigration purposes as it offers a variety of immigration streams suited for foreign workers.

It offers a high standard of living with a low average cost of living. Coupled with a good standard of education and unlimited employment opportunities, Saskatchewan is a great destination for international students.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers immigration streams in 3 major categories with additional substreams under those categories.

If you want to immigrate to Saskatchewan, then you can apply through:

International Skilled Worker Category (SINP): 

  • International Skilled Worker - Employment Offer
  • International Skilled Worker - Occupations In-Demand

Saskatchewan Experience Category (SINP): 

  • Existing Work Permit
  • Health Professionals
  • Hospitality Sector Project
  • Long Haul Truck Driver Project
  • Students

Entrepreneur and Farm Category (SINP): 

  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
  • Entrepreneur Category
  • Farm Owner Category

The SINP also offers the International Skilled Worker - Saskatchewan Express Entry, which is an Express Entry aligned immigration stream for applicants who are eligible for 1 of 3 Federal Economic Immigration programs.

How Can You Immigrate to the Prairie Province of Manitoba?

Manitoba hosts beautiful lakes, rivers, and mountains and a strong outdoor culture. Best known as the polar bear capital, Manitoba offers a diverse society and culturally rich festivals. The province is a hub for industries like agriculture, manufacturing, mining, energy and tourism.

With a thriving economy and growing employment opportunities, Manitoba is a desirable destination if you wish to work in Canada. Manitoba also boasts a stable economy and a low cost of living compared to other provinces. Manitoba hosts world-class educational institutions like the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.

Manitoba offers the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) to nominate candidates for permanent residency relevant to the labor market needs of the province.

The MPNP offers 3 major immigration categories with various substreams:

Skilled Worker Immigration Stream (MPNP):

  • Skilled Workers in Manitoba (MPNP)
  • Skilled Workers Overseas (MPNP)

International Education Stream (MPNP):

  • Career Employment Pathway (MPNP)
  • Graduate Internship Pathway (MPNP)
  • International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

Business Investor Stream (MPNP):

  • Entrepreneur Pathway (MPNP)
  • Farm Investor Pathway (MPNP)

The MPNP does not offer an Express Entry aligned immigration stream.

What is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot?

The federal government launched a pilot program to encourage economic immigration across the rural and northern regions of the country.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was launched after the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP).

As a foreign worker, if you want to gain permanent residency, you can apply through this program. You must have a valid job offer and a recommendation from the community.

Since this program helps fill job vacancies in the province, they will connect you with designated employers and provide settlement services.

Currently, 11 communities across 5 provinces from the west coast of British Columbia, throughout the 3 Prairie Provinces and Ontario in the central east are a part of this program.

What is the Agri-food Immigration Pilot?

Since the Prairie Provinces are known for their agricultural industry, if you wish to settle in one of them, you can apply through the Agri-food Immigration Pilot.

This pilot program is for semi-skilled and high skilled foreign workers in Agriculture-Food related sectors who can fill the labor market gaps in the industry.

It is an industry-specific pilot that encourages the immigration of non-seasonal foreign workers.

You will be required to meet the eligibility criteria, but it is an easy pathway for permanent residency.

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