PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (PNP)
Every year, the Canadian federal government increases the number of invitations for PNP candidates. These programs are the fastest growing route to economic immigration in Canada.
Each province, with the exception of Quebec, operates several PNP streams. These streams are designed by the provinces to help meet their unique immigration goals, so the eligibility criteria and application procedures vary. However, PNPs are a popular option because they can be the fastest pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
Under a shared jurisdiction between Ottawa and the provinces, Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.
Through a network of Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities. This is an important component of all provincial programs.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM?
As PNPs are a part of an economic immigration strategy, they are usually organized in such a way that they attract workers who can readily contribute to the economy and who have a high likelihood of remaining in that province. Therefore, some PNPs prioritize immigrants who have experience in occupations which are in-demand in that province. Other PNPs prefer immigrants who have a connection to the province, like a relative, as this increases the chance that they will remain in the province.
As with most economic immigration programs, young applicants who possess strong language skills, high levels of education, and skilled work experience are better suited to succeed. Otherwise, it is necessary to consult the above-mentioned list of PNPs in order to determine the eligibility factors for each program individually.
The eligibility criteria depend on the provinces applied to. The two primary factors that provinces look for are:
-
People who will significantly contribute to the growth of the economy.
-
If you are inclined towards settling in the province concerned.
Other miscellaneous reasons for consideration of the nominee are:
-
Whether you have a job offer or not
-
Your education
-
Your language skills, that is, English/French
-
Work experience matters
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PNP
How you will apply depends on which Provincial Nominee Program stream you’re applying to. You might need to apply using the paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry.
As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.
1. Paper-based process
In the paper-based process:
-
You apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.
-
You need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.
-
Once you have been nominated, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
-
You have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada.
-
Application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.
2. Express Entry process
In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:
-
You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.
-
If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.
OR
-
You create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.
-
If a province or territory sends you a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly.
-
You apply to their Express Entry stream:
-
If you’re nominated, the province will offer it to you through your account, and you accept it electronically.
-
In both cases:
-
You must meet the eligibility requirements of the province or territory. And,
-
You must submit an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for one of the immigration programs it covers.
-
If you are invited to apply, you submit an electronic application to IRCC.
Choose a Province or Territory
To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:
-
Alberta
-
British Columbia
-
Manitoba
-
New Brunswick
-
Newfoundland and Labrador
-
Northwest Territories
-
Nova Scotia
-
Ontario
-
Prince Edward Island
-
Saskatchewan
-
Yukon
The criteria by province and territory vary and can change without notice.
