Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are immigration programs operated by Canada's provinces and territories in collaboration with the federal government. These programs allow provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have the skills, education, and work experience required to contribute to the local economy and community for permanent residence in Canada.

​

Here's how Provincial Nominee Programs generally work:

1. Eligibility Criteria: Each province and territory in Canada has its own set of eligibility criteria and streams under its PNP. These criteria typically consider factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and ties to the province or territory.

2. Application Process: Individuals interested in immigrating to Canada through a PNP must first apply to the province or territory where they wish to settle. They must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the available streams within that province's PNP.

3. Nomination: If the provincial or territorial government finds the candidate suitable based on their criteria, they may nominate the individual for permanent residence in Canada. Each province or territory has a specific allocation of nominations they can make annually.

4. Express Entry and Non-Express Entry Streams: Some PNPs have streams aligned with the federal Express Entry system, while others operate outside of Express Entry. Express Entry-aligned streams allow provinces to select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool, while non-Express Entry streams have their own application and selection processes.

5. Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence: Candidates nominated through a PNP receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate. With this certificate, they can apply to the federal government for permanent residence in Canada. A provincial nomination typically boosts a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry system, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

6. Federal Application for Permanent Residence: Nominees must submit a separate application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This application includes medical exams, background checks, and other requirements.

7. Decision: IRCC assesses the application for permanent residence to ensure the nominee meets all federal admissibility requirements. If approved, the nominee receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can then move to Canada as a permanent resident.

Provincial Nominee Programs provide provinces and territories with a mechanism to address their specific economic and demographic needs by selecting immigrants who can contribute to their local economies and communities. They offer individuals another pathway to permanent residence in Canada outside of the federal Express Entry system.