Understanding the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program

There are over 80 provincial nomination programs in Canada that allow participating provinces and territories to nominate eligible economic candidates for Canadian permanent residence. Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals who are interested in immigrating to a specific Canadian province or territory.

The Canada PNP allows people who intend on living in a specific province the opportunity to be almost automatically accepted into Canada's Express Entry immigration program. The Canada PNP allows people who intend on living in a specific province the opportunity to be almost automatically accepted into Canada's Express Entry immigration program.

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 Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP designed to meet its specific economic and demographic needs. However, this is only available from 11 out of Canada's 13 provinces and each province has its own needs and requirements for its provincial nominee programs.

What is a Provincial Nominee Program?

A PNP is a system that accelerates the immigration processing of an application for permanent residence, provided the applicant gets a nomination from a specific Canadian province. The Canadian government made an agreement with local provinces in which they can nominate immigrants who wish to live, settle, and work in that particular province or essentially, immigrate to Canada.

However, in order to receive a visa through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), the candidate is required to choose a province they wish to live in and subsequently apply for a nomination. The province will then consider the application based on its immigration and labor needs, while also assessing your genuine intention to settle in the province.

Moreover, each province, apart from Quebec and Nunavut, operates several PNP streams. Provincial Nominee Programs are a popular option because they can be the easiest pathway to Canadian permanent residence. 

Provinces and Territories in Canada

Furthermore, program requirements and application procedures vary greatly between provinces, so interested applicants should consult each of the provinces to determine their eligibility. Here are the Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada:

• Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP)
• Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
• Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
• Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
• Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
• Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP)
• Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

However, note that the province of Quebec and Nunavut has their own unique immigration selection system and a points system that is also different from other provinces. 

How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Works?

This program is for workers who:

• have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
• want to live in that province, and
• want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:

• students
• business people
• skilled workers
• semi-skilled workers

How to Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program

When applying for permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the Canadian immigration system, there are two main options you can choose from: 

• Apply directly to a province or territory
• The Express Entry-linked process 

How to apply through the Express Entry

This is the primary way international immigrants apply for permanent residence in Canada. The Express Entry scores all international applicants based on factors like age, occupation, skill level, and marital status. And then, places all of the scores into an Express Entry pool. Applying through the Express Entry requires you to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) when you create your online Express Entry profile. This shows your interest in moving to a specific province or territory.

This method allows your chosen province to select your Express Entry profile directly from the draw pool. Provided you have the required skills and experience, in turn, the province will send you your nomination.

How to apply through the base process

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 essential:

• 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.

Which are the Easiest Provinces to Get Permanent Residence in Canada?

While many PNPs require a connection to their province – such as a job offer, work experience, or an educational credential – to apply for nomination, there are some programs that invite candidates solely based on their ability to fill labor or demographic gaps. There are the four provinces that are considered the easiest for overseas applicants to get PR in Canada in 2022:

• Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry
• Alberta’s Express Entry Stream
• Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream
• Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream

How Much Does it Cost to Immigrate Through a PNP?

The cost of immigrating through a Provincial Nominee Program is about $2,300 – $3,800 CAD, depending on the program you are immigrating through. Some provinces do not charge applicants processing fees, whereas other provinces, such as Ontario, charge as much as CA$1,500.

Is it Possible to Immigrate to Canada Through a PNP Without a Job Offer?

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 the labor market or demographic gaps.

What are the Processing Times for PNP Applications?

The first step with the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications is for the application to be approved by the province. In most cases, this first step is completed quickly. The provincial processing time can range from two weeks to nine months depending on the province. PNP approval is commonly called being “nominated” by the Provincial Nominee Program.

After the PNP approval, the second step is federal approval consisting of police, medical and security checks still required. This generally takes 6-8 months at most but can be longer depending on individual cases. After the PNP nomination has occurred the PNP can assist the nominee to obtain a work visa on an expedited basis, before immigrating to Canada.

That's all we have on the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program. You can proceed with the link below for more detailed information on each program.