What is Provincial Nominee Program?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a program in Canada that allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to immigrate to Canada and settle in a specific province. This program helps to distribute the benefits of immigration across the country and reduce the concentration of immigrants in certain regions.
Previously, before the launch of the PNP in 1998, a majority of immigrants settled in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. However, since the introduction of the PNP, there has been a more even distribution of immigrants across Canada. The Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) and the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) have been successful in attracting immigrants through the PNP.
Under the PNP, each province and territory has its own immigration streams, some of which are aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. These streams, known as “enhanced nominations,” provide additional benefits to Express Entry candidates. Enhanced nominations grant an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly increasing the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. Moreover, the processing time for permanent residence applications through the PNP is typically faster, with a target of six months.
Alternatively, individuals can apply directly to a specific PNP stream through the “base” stream. If they receive a provincial nomination through this route, the federal government will process their permanent residence application.
Which provinces are part of the Provincial Nominee Program?
All provinces and territories in Canada, except for Nunavut and Quebec, participate in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The provinces and territories that are part of the PNP are:
Immigrating to Canada through Provincial Nominee Programs
Newfoundland and Labrador
This province has evolved into a significant economic force in the Canadian landscape.
Read MoreNova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a small Canadian province located in the Maritimes region of the country.
Read MorePrince Edward Island
This province consists of the island itself and several surrounding isles, is Canada’s smallest province.
Read MoreSaskatchewan
Saskatchewan is home to one of the country’s most rapidly growing economies and populations.
Read MoreNorthwest Territories
Prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the Northwest Territories
Read MoreYukon
Located in the far northwest of Canada, Yukon has a fabled place in the country’s history.
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada was created to promote economic growth across the country. It allows provinces and territories to play a more active role in selecting immigrants who meet their specific labor market needs. The program empowers smaller provinces to attract skilled immigrants and diversify their workforce. Since its introduction in 1998, the PNP has been successful in driving economic development, creating jobs, and stimulating investments. It operates in every province and territory, except Quebec and Nunavut, and has contributed significantly to Canada's overall economic activity.
The process of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) varies depending on the stream you apply to. There are two main processes: paper-based and Express Entry.
In the paper-based process, you need to determine your eligibility for the PNP and apply to a specific stream. If you receive a nomination from a province or territory, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You will also need to undergo medical and police checks. Once approved by IRCC, you can proceed with your permanent residence landing in Canada.
For the Express Entry process, you start by checking your eligibility for the PNP and applying to a stream. If you receive a provincial nomination, you create an Express Entry profile on IRCC's website and indicate your nomination. When you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, you submit your application to IRCC. Medical and police checks are required before final approval. Once approved, you can complete your permanent residence landing.
Another option is to submit an Express Entry profile to IRCC and express interest in specific provinces or territories. If they are interested, they can send you a notification. From there, you go through the provincial nomination process, which includes obtaining a nomination certificate. This certificate gives you additional points in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation for permanent residence. The remaining steps include submitting your application, undergoing medical and police checks, and completing your permanent residence landing.
PNP immigrants who come to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program have a strong track record of finding good jobs and integrating well into the Canadian labor market. Extensive research conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Statistics Canada, provinces and territories, and academic institutions consistently demonstrates the positive labor market outcomes for PNP immigrants.
One key reason for their success is the fact that PNP immigrants are selected based on their ability to meet the specific labor market needs of the provinces and territories in Canada. This targeted approach ensures that they possess the skills and qualifications that are in demand, increasing their chances of finding suitable employment.
Moreover, PNP immigrants typically possess a high level of human capital, including excellent language skills, education, relevant work experience, and established connections in Canada. These factors contribute to their ability to quickly adapt to the Canadian job market and secure well-paying positions.
Absolutely! You have the option to simultaneously apply to Express Entry and a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
By submitting your profile to the Express Entry pool, you increase your visibility to provinces and territories. They can review your profile and extend an invitation to apply for their specific PNP stream. If you accept their invitation, you will need to complete the PNP application for that province or territory. Upon approval, you will receive a nomination certificate, which grants you an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in the Express Entry system. This substantial point boost virtually guarantees that you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.