Canada Immigration Insights 2025: Top Provinces to Choose, Most In-Demand Jobs & the 2026 Forecast

Introduction

Canada continues to attract global talent, boasting promising opportunities for newcomers. From bustling urban centers to welcoming communities across provinces, the nation’s post‑pandemic immigration momentum shows signs of both efficiency and pressure. 

This immigration report data shows strong processing efforts but persistent backlogs, reflecting high demand. Healthcare shortages drive lower CRS cut-offs and frequent draws, while provinces like Manitoba, Alberta, and BC lead in targeted invitations. 

Smaller provinces, such as PEI, attract fewer newcomers due to limited job markets. High salaries in healthcare and energy highlight where opportunities are most rewarding, with Quebec standing out for its strong demand and high vacancy rate.

Key Takeaways:

1. Canada’s immigration backlog reached 842,800 on June 30, 2025, with PR pending ~402,400; study‑permit delays improved to 18% as IRCC ramped up Q1 processing.

2. In 2025, French candidates (32.5% of ITAs) and STEM professionals (18.4% ITAs) got most Invitations.

3. 28,000+ nursing vacancies and 23,000 physician shortfall in Canada.

4. Manitoba issued 467 ITAs in the first half of 2025 and remains first in the list for Maximum ITA issuing. 

5. British Columbia dropped to 4,000 nominations in 2025, down from 8,000 in 2024.

6. Ontario Remains The First Choice After Quebec for new immigration applications.

7. PEI vacancy rate fell to 2.5% in early 2025, making PEI as the last option for new immigrants.

8. Petroleum Engineers in Alberta earn ~$150,000 median; Specialist Physicians $250,000+.

9. PEI offers a welcoming, peaceful lifestyle with low crime and strong schools with extensive settlement support in English and French..
   
   

1. Immigration Applications: Received, Processed, Backlogged

IRCC released the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan on October 24 last year, outlining permanent resident targets across Economic, Family, Refugee, and Humanitarian streams. For the first time, it also sets temporary resident targets for international students and foreign workers, marking a more holistic approach to migration management. Here is the detailed information 

Canada’s immigration backlog reached 842,800 on June 30, 2025, with PR pending ~402,400; study‑permit delays improved to 18% as IRCC ramped up Q1 processing.

• By June 30, 2025, Canada’s total immigration backlog across all inventories reached 842,800 applications. Meanwhile, 1,346,700 applications were processed.
  

• In April 2025, IRCC held 897,900 PR-related applications in inventory, with 55% processed, leaving 402,400 pending.
  

• Express Entry-related PNP backlogs jumped from 24% (November 2024) to 49% (April–May 2025).
  

• As of June 2025, IRCC reports that 53% of all temporary residence applications were processed within service standards. Specifically, 40% of work permits were in backlog, and the backlog for study permits shrank from 45% in February to 18% in June, surpassing recovery expectations.
  

• Processing progress early in 2025 was strong; IRCC made 119,800 PR decisions, welcomed 104,300 new residents, granted 356,300 citizenships, and processed 159,200 study permits and 396,000 work permits in Q1.

Despite backlogs, Express Entry candidates with in‑demand skills (STEM) and French proficiency continue to see faster invitations through targeted draws.

2. In 2025, French candidates earned 32.5% of ITAs, while STEM professionals took 18.4%

As of August 23, 2025, IRCC has conducted 31 Express Entry draws: 15 for the Provincial Nominee Program, 8 for the Canadian Experience Class, 4 for French language proficiency (Version 1), and 4 for Healthcare & Social Services occupations (Version 2).

In these Express Entry rounds, IRCC has introduced category-based selection draws focused on priority sectors such as healthcare, STEM occupations, education, and strong French-language ability. These draws have lower CRS cut-offs compared to general rounds, giving qualified candidates a competitive edge.

Applicants with high CLB levels in French (or bilingual proficiency), recognized STEM qualifications, or work experience in healthcare-designated NOC codes are more likely to receive a targeted Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is because IRCC is addressing specific labour shortages, so meeting these criteria can boost your profile visibility in the Express Entry pool even if your CRS score is below recent all-program cut-offs.

Impact of Priority Skills on Canada Express Entry CRS Score

Category-based draws lower CRS cut-offs by 10–50 points, giving candidates in Healthcare, STEM, French, and Education streams a clearer pathway to PR.

3. Canada Faces 28000+ Vacancies For Registered Nurses As High Demand Occupation In Canada

As per job Bank Canada, Registered Nurses remain a critical shortage: Canada faces 28,000+ RN vacancies, prompting frequent healthcare‑targeted draws and faster selection for candidates with recognized credentials.

Here is the detailed information for healthcare sector, STEM sector and other high demand occupations, NOC code and Average salary in Canada: 

Canada faces a shortfall of 23,000 family physicians and over 28,000 registered nurse vacancies—a 219.8% increase since 2017. These shortages drive priority invitations in Express Entry and PNP streams, with lower CRS cut-offs for healthcare candidates. Applicants with Canadian-recognized credentials or willingness to complete bridging programs have a clear advantage.

Software engineers, STEM specialists, accountants, and social workers remain in steady demand for 2025, especially through category-based draws and targeted PNP invitations. Tech hubs in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, plus provincial labor shortages, keep these roles competitive in the immigration process.

4. Manitoba Province Has Issued 467 ITAs : the maximum 

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) invited skilled workers through two EOI draws in August.

• Aug 7, 2025 (Draw #251): 37 invitations issued, cut-off 724.

• Aug 21, 2025 (Draw #252): 77 invitations issued, cut-off 612.

Manitoba continues to prioritize candidates with French skills, employer support, Express Entry profiles, and community ties, highlighting its demand-driven approach to filling labour needs.

In 2025, Manitoba led PNP invitations with 467 ITAs, ahead of Alberta (285) and B.C. (94)—a result of steady, targeted provincial draws.

Between January and June 2025, three provinces dominated PNP invitations:

• Manitoba: 467 invitations

• Alberta: 285 invitations

• British Columbia: 94 invitations

These numbers reflect a mix of targeted draws for high-demand occupations, strategic recruitment initiatives, and provincial retention goals.

This clearly shows Manitoba’s strong performance in invitations, driven by consistent draws targeting international graduates, skilled workers, and priority occupations in trades and healthcare.

Now let’s look at these provinces' draws, immigration streams and high demand occupation list. 

Province-by-Province Analysis

Manitoba

• 467 invitations in first half of 2025

• Strong focus on Skilled Worker Overseas Stream and International Education Stream

• High retention rates due to community support programs

Alberta

• 285 invitations, primarily in healthcare and trades

• Draws under Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) prioritized candidates with job offers in rural areas

British Columbia

• 94 invitations via BC PNP Tech and healthcare draws

• Targeted software developers, nurses, and early childhood educators

5. Provincial Acceptance vs. Rejection Ratios

Provinces like British Columbia and Ontario received significantly reduced PNP nomination allocations in 2025—B.C. dropped to 4,000 nominations, down from 8,000, while Ontario’s allocations are not publicly detailed but none provide data on acceptance ratios. 

Manitoba remains active: between May and August 2025, it issued multiple Skilled Worker Letters of Advice to Apply (e.g., 62 on May 15, 36 on June 12, 77 on August 21), reflecting ongoing selection efforts.

What B.C. PNP Results 2024-2025:

• Decisions completed (Skills Immigration): 8,784

• Nominations issued: 7,972

• Approval rate: 90.8% (implies 9.2% non-approval)

• ITAs issued: 6,006; 

• Allocation used: 8,000 nominations in total 

These figures are from the province’s official BC PNP Statistical Report & Year in Review 2024.

Alberta Strong Nomination Volumes

• 2024: AAIP issued 9,942 nominations and met its allocation. Over 85% went to temporary foreign workers already in Alberta.

• 2025 (August): PNP Allocation 4,875; 3,134 nominations issued; 1,741 spaces remaining; 2,099 applications “to be processed,” with stream-by-stream dashboards.

Alberta’s EOI system runs frequent, targeted draws across worker streams (AOS, Rural Renewal, Tourism & Hospitality, Health, and several Express Entry pathways). Meeting stream-specific criteria (e.g., wage, TEER, in-province work history) is decisive; completeness and employer compliance are essential.

Ontario — Minimum Refusal in Applications

What Ontario publishes (official OINP updates):

• 2024: OINP issued 21,500 nominations across all streams (reached full federal allocation).

• 2025: Program updates page continues to show stream-by-stream invitations; Ontario keeps a running public tally of invitations to apply.

Ontario is highly active with multiple streams (Human Capital, Employer Job Offer categories, Masters/PhD Graduates). Employer compliance (wages, genuine job offer, business requirements) and stream fit drive your odds.

6. Ontario Remains The First Choice After Quebec For New Immigrants In 2025

Ontario, Québec, and B.C. draw the most interest because they have Canada’s biggest, most diverse job markets and steady hiring, especially in health care. 

• Québec runs its own selection (you apply for a CSQ first) and strongly rewards French proficiency. 

• Ontario’s OINP posts frequent, employer-driven invitations across multiple streams.

• B.C. is prioritizing high-impact candidates in TEER 0–1 roles with strong wages or Health Authority ties. Practical takeaway.

Match your NOC to an active provincial stream (or Québec if you’re French-proficient), then confirm demand in your province on the Job Bank before you file—this alignment gives you the best shot at an invitation.

• Quebec leads with the highest job vacancy rate at 4%, followed by BC (3.8%) and Ontario (3.2%).

Why:

• Quebec: unique immigration control, cultural incentives; strong labour shortages.

• Ontario & BC: diverse economies, urban job markets, major tech and healthcare hubs.
  

7. PEI Immigration Is Counted In Last Option From New Immigrants

Based on IRCC’s allocation of nominations and Statistics Canada’s population data, Prince Edward Island consistently receives a smaller share of applications compared to larger provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, or Alberta.

Why PEI has fewer applications:

1. Population & Allocation Limits

• PEI’s population is under 200,000, the smallest of all provinces.

• Its PNP nomination quotas are far lower than provinces like Ontario or Manitoba, limiting the number of applicants it can invite.
  

2. Labour Market Size

• The economy is centered on agriculture, fisheries, and seasonal tourism.

• Unlike larger provinces, there are fewer tech, healthcare, or large-scale industrial jobs available.
  

3. Geography & Lifestyle
   

• While PEI offers a peaceful lifestyle, its smaller cities mean fewer employment opportunities and limited settlement services compared to metropolitan centres like Toronto or Vancouver.

Key Factors Where PEI Is In Last In The Row

2024 vs. 2025 Vacancy Ratios in PEI

According to Statistics Canada’s Job Vacancy and Wage Survey:

• In Q4 2024, PEI had a job vacancy rate of 3.8%, higher than the Canadian average of 3.1%.

• By early 2025, PEI’s vacancy rate dropped to 2.5%, below the national average of 2.8%.

PEI has unfilled jobs, its labour market is small, and the number of newcomers applying there is proportionally lower compared to provinces with larger economies.

8. Petroleum Engineers Are Getting Highest Paid in 2025

Among in-demand roles, Specialist Physicians (NOC 31100) with a median salary over $250,000 stand atop the payscale. 

The oil and gas sector plays a vital role in Canada’s economy, particularly in provinces like Alberta, where much of the country’s energy production is based. Petroleum engineers are highly valued because their work demands specialized technical expertise, advanced education, and the ability to manage complex extraction processes. 

In addition, many of these positions are located in remote or physically challenging environments, which often leads employers to offer higher salaries to attract and retain talent. This combination of economic importance, skill intensity, and work conditions explains why petroleum engineers consistently rank among the highest-paid professionals in Canada.

9. Best Provinces for Social Well-Being

PEI and Nova Scotia offer friendly, close-knit communities and a relaxed pace of life. 

British Columbia combines cultural diversity with stunning natural surroundings.

Quebec provides a strong sense of community, vibrant French-speaking culture, and robust newcomer support services.

Provinces known for safety, community, and enjoyment often include:

• Atlantic provinces (PEI, Nova Scotia)—renowned for friendliness, slower pace, welcoming neighborhoods.

• British Columbia—lifestyle draws, cultural diversity, natural beauty.

• Quebec—strong communal identity, French-speaking communities, supportive newcomer services.

Key Findings From The Immigration Report 2025 

Canada’s immigration system in 2025 shows both strong processing gains and persistent backlogs. Category-based selections in healthcare, STEM, and French significantly lower CRS cut-offs, improving applicant chances. Provincial acceptance rates remain high, especially in Ontario and B.C., while smaller provinces like PEI attract fewer newcomers due to limited job markets.

• Top Province for Newcomers: Quebec, due to high job vacancies (4%), skilled-stream draws, and appeal to healthcare and francophone candidates.
  

• Highest-Paying Occupation: Specialist Physician (NOC 31100)—$250,000+.
  

• Notable Backlog Shift: PNP Express Entry backlog soared to mid-49%, up from 24% in late 2024.
  

• CRS Game-Changer: Category-based Express Entry draws (healthcare, STEM, educators, French proficiency) were the most decisive advantage.
  

• 2026 Projections: Provinces offering job vacancies, faster digital processing, and category alignment—like Quebec, Ontario, and BC—are top-choice regions for immigrants.

References: 

CIC News

Government of Canada

IRCC Applications - Inventories & Backlogs 

Category-Based Occupation Requirement In Canada

Alberta.ca