PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories has its own immigration programs, called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province.
As the provinces have different populations and labor needs, their immigration programs are unique and built to fill their own labour market shortages, and to fit their own economic and demographic needs.
In order for applicants to immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Programs, a Canadian province or territory has to nominate them. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence. PNPs are the fastest-growing economic immigration pathway in Canada.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Process
The process depends on which PNP stream a candidate is applying. Candidates can apply using the paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry:
- We will apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream on your behalf.
- You need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.
- Once you have been nominated, we submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on your behalf.
- 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.
In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:
- We apply to the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream on your behalf.
- If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, we create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.
OR
- We create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.
- If a province or territory sends a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly.
- We apply to their Express Entry stream on your behalf:
- If you’re nominated, the province will offer it to you through the portal 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 meet the minimum criteria
- If you are invited to apply, we will submit an electronic application to IRCC.
Always remember that the selection process to get a Provincial Nominee Certificate may be different from one province to the other. Check to find out what you need to do before you apply.
