Provincial Nomination

How PNPs Work

The PNP process is typically a two-step journey:

1. Provincial Nomination: You apply to a specific province or territory’s PNP stream. Each stream has its own eligibility criteria, such as skills, work experience, education, or a job offer, depending on the province’s needs. If approved, you receive a provincial nomination.
2. Federal Application: After being nominated, you apply to the federal government (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC) for permanent residence. The federal government conducts health, security, and criminality checks before granting permanent residency.
   
   

PNPs operate under two main categories:

• Enhanced Streams: These are aligned with the federal Express Entry system. A nomination through an enhanced stream adds 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to your Express Entry profile, significantly boosting your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

• Base Streams: These operate outside Express Entry and involve a separate application process to the federal government, often with longer processing times.

Participating Provinces and Territories

Here’s a brief overview of PNPs in Canada (excluding Quebec and Nunavut):

• Alberta: The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers streams for workers (e.g., Alberta Opportunity Stream) and entrepreneurs (e.g., Rural Entrepreneur Stream).
• British Columbia: The BC PNP includes Skills Immigration for workers and Entrepreneur Immigration for business owners.
• Manitoba: The Manitoba PNP (MPNP) has streams like Skilled Workers Overseas and Business Investor Stream.
• New Brunswick: The New Brunswick PNP targets skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: The NLPNP focuses on skilled workers and international graduates.
• Northwest Territories: The NTNP offers employer-driven and business streams.
• Nova Scotia: The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) includes streams like Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry.
• Ontario: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has streams for workers, students, and businesspeople.
• Prince Edward Island: The PEI PNP targets labor market needs and business investments.
• Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) includes occupation-specific streams.
• Yukon: The Yukon Nominee Program supports workers and businesses in the territory.

Eligibility and Requirements

Eligibility varies by province and stream but generally includes factors like:

• Skills and Work Experience: Many streams target in-demand occupations specific to the province.
• Education: Some require post-secondary education, while others don’t.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English or French is often required (e.g., Canadian Language Benchmark levels).
• Job Offer: Some streams require a valid job offer from a local employer, while others, like certain Saskatchewan or Ontario streams, do not.

Intention to Reside: You must demonstrate intent to live and work in the nominating province.