Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
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Each province, apart from Quebec and Nunavut, 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 easiest pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
All decisions regarding Canadian permanent residence must be approved at the national level by the federal government, so Canada’s provinces cannot approve permanent resident status on their own. This is why the provincial programs are considered “nominee” programs.
A successful applicant to a PNP will be nominated by the province to apply to the federal government for permanent residence. This means that immigrating to Canada through a PNP is always step one in a two-part process. First, an interested immigrant is approved at the provincial level and then they must apply to the federal level.
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories, apart from Nunavut and Quebec, operates its own unique Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to meet its economic and demographic needs. Program requirements and application procedures vary greatly between provinces, so interested applicants should consult each of the provinces to determine their eligibility.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
Streams for Workers | Streams for Entrepreneurs |
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Candidates apply on their own using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal. Learn more about eligibility criteria, how to apply, and what to do after you are nominated. |
Learn about eligibility criteria, how to apply and what to do after you are nominated. |
General Alberta Express Entry Stream Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be asked to submit an application. International graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream. Accelerated Tech Pathway Under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, candidates may be selected for expedited processing if they are currently working for, or have a job offer with, an Alberta-based tech industry employer in an eligible tech occupation. Refer to the list of eligible Accelerated Tech Pathway occupations. |
General Alberta Express Entry Stream Candidates who have demonstrated strong ties to Alberta or who can help support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities may be asked to submit an application. International graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions may also be asked to apply under this stream. Learn about eligibility criteria, how to apply and what to do after you are nominated. |
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The AAIP will consult with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to ensure the business plan is feasible and viable, and meets the needs of Alberta’s agriculture industry. |
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British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents in BC. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The province operates several immigration streams divided among two categories:
- British Columbia Skills Immigration (https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/documents/BC-PNP-SI-EEBC-Program-Guide.aspx)
- British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration (https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/documents-folder/BC-PNP-Entrepreneur-Immigration-Program-Guide.aspx)
British Columbia Skills Immigration targets foreign nationals who have the skills to become meaningful members of BC’s workforce. The pathways within BC Skills Immigration emphasize immigrants who have employment prospects in BC and who demonstrate the experience needed to secure and maintain employment as BC residents.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents in BC. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The province operates several immigration streams divided among two categories:
- British Columbia Skilled Worker
- British Columbia Healthcare Professional
- British Columbia International Graduate
- British Columbia International Post-Graduate
- British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS)
Candidates are not required to be eligible for Express Entry to apply to the BC Skills Immigration streams. However, most of the programs contained within BC Skills Immigration offer an accelerated pathway to permanent residence for eligible candidates who have an active Express Entry profile. Refer to the application procedure of each stream to determine whether it offers an Express Entry pathway.
British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration targets foreign nationals and foreign companies who have demonstrated track records of success in business ownership, management, and investment. Individual entrepreneurs with significant personal net worth and international corporations with high annual revenues may immigrate to BC through the establishment of new enterprises in the province.
- British Columbia Entrepreneur
- British Columbia
- Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
- British Columbia Strategic Projects
BC PNP Tech (https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/About-The-BC-PNP#TechOccupations) targets skilled foreign nationals working in one of BC’s in-demand tech occupations. The Tech program is aligned with BC Skills Immigration, so interested applicants should review the various streams contained within the Skills Immigration category. BC PNP Tech enables eligible foreign nationals to receive faster processing and additional resources through applications.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) offers three streams, with their respective pathways, through which you can immigrate to the province of Manitoba and become a permanent resident of Canada. You can assess your ranking points through MPNP Expression of Interest Ranking Points Grid (https://immigratemanitoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mpnp-expression-of-interest-ranking-points-grid.pdf)
Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker Stream is locally driven and based on the needs of Manitoba employers. We select internationally trained and experienced workers who have the skills needed in the local labour market, and nominate them to receive Canadian permanent resident visas to settle and work in Manitoba.
There are two pathways under the Skilled Worker Stream:
Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM) and Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO).
International Education Stream
The International Education Stream (IES) for Manitoba graduates is dedicated to providing international students graduating in Manitoba and meeting the needs of industry faster pathways to nomination.
There are three pathways:
- Career Employment Pathway
- Graduate Internship Pathway
- International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (ISEP)
Federal Immigration Programs
A number of other options are available for skilled workers interested in making Manitoba their home through economic immigration programs offered by the federal government.
- New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream is designed for Foreign Nationals who possess the skills, education and work experience needed to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy. Candidates must meet the program’s minimum eligibility requirements, have a genuine offer of employment from a New Brunswick Employer and have the full intent to live and work in the province on a permanent basis.
This program will also help New Brunswick employers, unable to fill job vacancies with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, recruit foreign nationals and international graduates whose skills are needed in the province.
Provincial immigration pathways are dependent upon federal immigration allocations, application volumes and provincial labour market needs. For this reason, ONB immigration will process applications at its discretion and in a manner that best supports the goals of the NBPNP.
Effective immediately, Immigration NB is implementing specific measures to manage the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream inventory through to the end of 2023.
For more information click here
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) allows the Province to nominate applicants who meet established criteria, for Permanent Resident Status. The NLPNP offers:
- An efficient immigration process for qualified skilled workers, international graduates and their families who wish to settle permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador; and
- Assistance from provincial Immigration Program Development Officers who are available to explain the program requirements, and guide applicants throughout the application process.
- Newfoundland and Labrador may nominate up to 1,050 individuals annually through the NLPNP, through the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Express Entry-Skilled Worker categories.
- Information for NLPNP applicants
- Information for employers interested in the NLPNP
Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Nominee Program
To immigrate here through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program, you need to either:
- be ready to open, purchase or invest in a business in the NWT; or
- have a job offer from an employer in the NWT.
If you’re coming here to open, purchase or invest in a business in the NWT, you can apply for the Business Stream. If you have a job offer from an NWT employer, we call that the Employer-Driven Stream.
Select the option you would like to learn more about:
- Business Stream
- Employer-Driven Stream
- Francophone Stream
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Through the NSNP, prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia may be nominated to immigrate. Review the different NSNP streams to determine if you qualify:
Ontario
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) uses an expression of interest system (EOI) (https://www.ontario.ca/document/oinp-entrepreneur-stream/expression-interest ) to manage its applications for the following streams:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream
- Masters Graduate stream
- PhD Graduate stream
- Entrepreneur stream*
You can register
(https://www.ontarioimmigration.gov.on.ca
/oinp_index/resources/app/guest/index.html#!/) yourEOI to get invitation from Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Step-by-Step guide to applying to a Canadian PNP:
- Find the PNP that is right for you: Consult the list of provinces and territories at the top of this page to determine where you would like to immigrate. Make sure to check the requirements for each PNP to determine your eligibility.
- Apply to your chosen PNP: Submit an application directly to your chosen province or territory.
- Obtain a Provincial Nomination certificate: If your application is successful, the province or territory will nominate you to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
- Submit your application for permanent residence: Apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence. If your chosen PNP is aligned with Express Entry, you can do this online. If not, you must submit a paper-based application.
Some PNPs do not require an Express Entry profile to apply. These programs are called ‘base’ PNPs. While the nomination process is different for each program, the general process is essentially:
- Apply for nomination
- If nominated, apply for Canadian permanent residence through Permanent Residence Portal.
Once you have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada through IRCC’s online Permanent Residence Portal.
Base PNP permanent residence applications take much longer to process than electronic applications submitted through Express Entry. While the average processing time for a permanent resident application submitted through Express Entry is 6 months, a paper-based application is processed in an average of 18 months.
- Create an account and submit an Express Entry profile.
- Apply to an Express Entry-aligned PNP
Receive an Express Entry stream nomination - Confirm the Express Entry on your profile and receive 600 additional points
- Wait to receive an invitation for permanent residence
- Apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system
As all PNPs are different, the process for applying and receiving a nomination through the Express Entry system varies depending on the program.
Some PNPs always accept applications from qualified applicants, so if you are qualified for the PNP you can submit whenever you are ready.
Other PNPs use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, where qualified applicants submit a profile that is ranked on a points-based system for the chance to receive an invitation to apply for nomination. Finally, some PNPs invite foreign nationals to submit applications, either by selecting candidates directly from the Express Entry pool or by having interested individuals submit a formal Expression of Interest.
The PNP application process can be confusing, and applications can be refused if they are submitted incorrectly or if they are incomplete. Applicants should take care to ensure that applications are completed correctly and submitted through the proper channel.
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut, operate its own PNP program with several streams. Altogether, there are more than 80 different provincial nominee programs.
In 2015, Canada introduced Express Entry as a system to manage applications for permanent residence through same major economic immigration programs. Since then, many Canadian provinces and territories have developed ‘enhanced’ PNP streams that are aligned with Express Entry. This means that some PNPs require that an applicant have an Express Entry profile in order to meet the PNP eligibility requirements.
If an applicant is nominated through a PNP which is aligned with Express Entry, the applicant can then claim 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. Alternately, if an applicant receives a nomination through a PNP which is not aligned with Express Entry, then they must submit a non-Express Entry federal application for permanent residence as a provincial nominee. Non-Express Entry federal applications for permanent residence can take significantly longer to process than electronic Express Entry applications.
There are many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for overseas candidates without a job offer in Canada. These programs typically target candidates with skills or work experience that can help the province respond to labour market or demographic gaps.
To learn more, visit our office or contact us.
If you have a connection to a province or work experience or skills that are indicated as in-demand, you may be eligible for a Canadian PNP.
The eligibility factors for PNPs vary from province to province. 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 that 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.
Provinces and territories are often looking for applicants with work experience that meets the needs of their specific labour market, often in addition to other language and education requirements.
Each province sets their own eligibility requirements for language proficiency, education, and skill set. In order to qualify, you must also demonstrate that you will be able to contribute to the local economy and have a genuine intention to settle in that province or territory.
Processing times for nomination applications vary from one province to the next, but it typically takes a few months.
Applying for Canadian permanent residence through a PNP program is a two-step process.
First, you must apply to the province. Once that has been approved, you must then submit your application to the federal government. Only the federal government can grant you Canadian PR. The processing time for your permanent residence application will depend on whether you submitted a ‘base’ or ‘enhanced’ PNP application.
This tool can help you find out the processing time at the federal level.
Many PNPs require that applicants have an active profile in the Express Entry pool. However, there are exceptions to this where some provinces issue nominations to applicants who do not have Express Entry eligibility. These programs vary in their eligibility requirements, so it is best to consult with a representative to discuss your eligibility. All PNPs resulting in a nomination require that the applicant then submit a permanent resident application to the federal government.
If the PNP is not aligned with Express Entry, the federal permanent residency application must be submitted through a different portal, or by paper. A non-Express Entry PNP application is typically subject to longer processing times.