What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is considered to be one of the easier pathways to permanent residency, while also giving you the option to choose the province/territory you wish to reside and work in. It is an immigration program that has its own requirements and ‘streams’ determined by the economic needs of individual provinces and territories. While the participating provinces/territories manage their PNPs according their own needs, the IRCC is the deciding body on permanent residence applications.
Who is the Provincial Nominee Program For?
This program is for workers who:
- Have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province/territory
- Want to live in that province/territory
- Want to become permanent residents of Canada
In addition, the program is also helpful for those who are unable to:
- Score enough CRS points to receive an invitation to apply
- Meet the minimum criteria required in order to qualify for a Permanent Residence visa
How can you apply?
There are three methods in which you can apply for a Provincial Nominee Program:
- Expression of Interest: Eligible candidates are required to first submit their EOI profile. The province then holds a draw for these profiles. Selected candidates are then invited to apply for nomination.
- Notification of Interest: Candidates from the Express Entry pool can be invited by the nominee programs, without having applied.
- Direct Application: Eligible candidates are able to apply directly for nomination.
Before starting your application, we suggest you follow these four steps:
What are your application options?
There are two application options available to you:
- Express Entry Process
- Non-Express Entry Process
What documentation is required for the Provincial Nominee Program?
The documents you will be required to provide vary for each province/territory. Which is why we recommend going to the website of your chosen province/territory to confirm eligibility or relying on a registered immigration consultant. Some standard documents that the majority will likely require are the following:
- PNP application form
- Declaration of spouse and dependents
- Biometrics
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of identity
- Educational Credential Assessment report
- Language skills test results
- Proof of funds
- Medical examination
- Police clearance certificates
What are the participating Provinces/Territories and their programs?
Alberta | Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
- Express Entry Stream
- Self-Employed Farmer Stream
- Employer-Driven Stream
- Strategic Recruitment Stream
British Columbia | BC Provincial Nominee Program
- Skilled Immigration
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker
- International Graduate. Canadian Degree
- Healthcare Professional
- International Post-Graduate, BC Degree
- Business Immigration
- Regional Entrepreneur
- Entrepreneur
- Regional Business Succession Option
- Strategic Projects
- Express Entry BC
Manitoba | Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
- Skilled Workers
- Skilled Workers Overseas
- Skilled Workers In Manitoba
- International Education
- Career Employment Pathway
- Graduate Internship Pathway
- International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
- Business Investor
- Entrepreneur Pathway
- Farm Investor Pathway
New Brunswick | New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
- Skilled Workers with Family Support
- Skilled Workers with Employer Support
- Business Applicants
- Express Entry Labour Market Stream
Newfoundland & Labrador | NL Provincial Nominee Program
- Immigrant Entrepreneur Stream
- Skilled Worker Stream
- International Graduate Stream
Northwest Territories | NWT Nominee Program
- Employer Driven Stream
- Critical Impact Worker Stream
- Skilled Work Stream
- Business Driven Stream
Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Nominee Program
- Family Business
- Worker Stream
- International Graduate Stream
- Community Identified Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Low-Skilled Workers
- Semi-Skilled Workers
- Skilled Workers
- NS Express Entry Experience Stream
- NS Immigration Express Entry Demand Stream
Ontario | Ontario Immigration Nominee Program
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
- Corporate Stream
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- International Students Category
- International Student with Job Offer
- International PhD Students
- International Masters Graduate Pilot
- General Category
Prince Edward Island | PEI Provincial Nominee Program
- Express Entry
- Business Impact
- Labour Impact
Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
- Saskatchewan Experience Category
- Long Haul Truck Driver Project Stream
- Health Profession Stream
- Student Stream
- Existing Work Permit Stream
- Hospitality Sector Project Stream
- International Skilled Worker Category
- Express Entry Stream
- Occupations in Demand Stream
- Employment Offer Stream
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category
- Farm Owners and Operators Stream
- Entrepreneurs Stream
Yukon | Yukon Nominee Program (Foreign Workers)
- Business Nominee Program
- Critical Impact Worker Program
- Skilled Worker Program
- Express Entry
- Yukon Community Pilot
Stay tuned for future posts about individual eligibility requirements for each program!
Which Province/Territory should you apply to?
With more than 80 provincial immigration streams to choose from, it can be difficult to determine what program and stream is best for you. There are several factors that may contribute to the province/territory you choose to apply for. This includes the following:
- Cost to Apply
- Application Processing Time
- Eligibility
- Career Skills/Qualifications
- Labour Market Needs
- Language Proficiency
Another important piece of information that could aid in your decision is the streams that the province/territory has available. The most common streams include:
- Healthcare Professionals
- Tech/IT Professionals
- Entrepreneurs
- International Students
NOTE: On November 16th, 2022, the IRCC will be switching to the updated 2021 version of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
Should you hire a representative to assist with your application?
It is not required to hire a representative for ANY immigration process. Everything having to do with forms and instructions is available for free on the Government of Canada’s website. The purpose of having a representative is to ease the stress of the immigration process. This can be done by assisting you with choosing an immigration program, filling out and submitting your application, and giving immigration or citizenship related advice. If you are looking to make your immigration process easier and more manageable, than a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant might be right for you. Get in touch with our 51 Immigration’s Consultant for a free consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Quebec have its own Provincial Nominee Program?
Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. However, they do have their own dedicated program which you can look into here:
Which PNPs do not require job offers?
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
Which programs have fees?
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | Application Fee |
| Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) | $0 |
| British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) | $1,150 |
| Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) | $500 |
| New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) | $250 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) | $250 |
| Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) | $0 |
| Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) | $0 |
| Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) | $1,500-2,000 |
| Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) | $300 |
| Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) | $350 |
| Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) | $0 |
How does the Provincial Nominee Program compare to Express Entry?
Express Entry:
- Regulates the applications file under different immigration programs
- Three economic immigration programs
- Eligibility varies program to program
- One available way to apply under Express Entry
- The applicants with the highest CRS scores are eligible for ITAs
- Processing time is approximately 6 months
Provincial Nominee Program:
- Is a type of immigration program
- Eligibility varies based on individual program and labour market needs
- Three available ways to apply for PNPs
What is the difference between a province and a territory?
Provinces receive their authority and power via the Constitution Act 1867. Whereas, territories have powers delegated to them by the Parliament of Canada. Whether you apply to a province or territory, should not affect your application process. However, work permits for these may be limited to select communities.
What happens if you get more than one Notification of Interest?
It is possible to receive more than one Notification of Interest at a time. However, you can only have one nomination at a time. If you have an offer for nomination that isn’t from the province/territory of your choice, you must reject the nomination by clicking the “not accept” button. After this is done, other provinces/territories will be able to send you a nomination.