Provincial Nomination (PNP)
What is the Provincial Nominee Program 2023
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) is the fastest-growing economic Canadian immigration pathway. Over recent years, the federal government has gradually increased provinces’ yearly allocations for their respective PNPs, exhibiting the increasing importance of these programs within the overall Canadian immigration system.
The Provincial Nominee Program is a Canadian immigration program that allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and settle in a specific province or territory. Each province and territory in Canada has its own nominee program with its own specific criteria and requirements.
The PNP is designed to address the specific labour market and economic needs of each province or territory. Generally, applicants who are nominated by a province or territory through the PNP will receive additional points in the Express Entry system, which is the main pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
Each province or territory has its own set of criteria and streams within their PNP, which may include categories for skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, and more. The specific requirements and processes can vary, so it’s important to research the individual provincial or territorial programs to get up-to-date information on eligibility criteria and application procedures.
PNP streams are a popular option in Canada because they can be the fastest way to permanent residence PR.
Canada’s immigration policies are set at the national level, meaning that all the decisions regarding Canadian permanent residence should be approved at the federal level. This means that provinces cannot approve this themselves. They’re limited to using “nominee programs”.
As of September 23, 2022, you must now apply online for this program.
Provinces and Territories in Canada
Canada’s PNP is a great way to increase trade opportunities for your business in Canada. The requirements vary between the different Provinces, so you must contact each one individually and see what they have available before applying with any hopes of being approved.
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- British Columbia
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Saskatchewan
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Nova Scotia
- Quebec
- Yukon
How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) works?
There’s an agreement between the Federal Government of Canada and the Province’s government which provide that the Provinces and territories of Canada can nominate people who are interested in getting into Canada, for who
- would like to settle in a specific province or territory
- have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
- want to become permanent residents of Canada
Based on criteria set by the province itself.
Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) is another chance to immigrate to Canada and to fit criteria fixed by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Each province and territory has its own – stream- of immigration programs. Every province has its program, which differs from another province. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:
- students
- business people
- skilled workers
- semi-skilled workers
To become a provincial nominee, applicants must show that they meet the set criteria. This will display that the applicant has the skills, education, and work experience to make a positive contribution to the local economy and society. The province or territory will consider the application based on the needs of the specific province, as well as the applicant’s genuine intention to settle there.
Application Process For Provincial Nominee Program
The steps to apply will include the following:
- Find the right PNP for you
- Then, Apply to the chosen PNP
- Obtain the Provincial Nomination certificate
- At last, apply for permanent residence
Want to apply for a Canadian visa? Click here to start the process with our help →
How do I get through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) process?
The federal government makes all final immigration decisions, not the provincial government.
That’s why the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)s are in a two-phase process.
Phase 1: you have to apply to the province for your provincial nomination.
Phase 2: if the province approves you, you must submit a second application to the federal government for your Canadian permanent resident status.
This is a step-by-step for a Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) process:
- Find out your eligibility:
Find out which program you might be eligible for by filling out our Free Assessment Now. - Complete a Provincial Nominee Program application:
Submit your application to the specific province or territory you chose.
- Receive your Provincial Nomination certificate:
If your application is complete and you are eligible, you will receive an official Provincial Nomination certificate, allowing you to continue to the next step. - Submit your permanent residence application:
Apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status. If you were nominated through an Express Entry-aligned PNP, you can apply through Express Entry. Otherwise, you must submit a paper-based application. - Pass a Medical-Exam & Police Check
You have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada. - Complete your Permanent Residence
Once IRCC approves you, you can complete your permanent residence landing in Canada.
Which Province is best for PNP?
Nominations are often limited to people who have connections within the province or territory. If you’re applying from school or work experience, there is a higher chance of receiving your nomination!
As it varies across Canada, you’ll want to be mindful of the type and region you wish to live in while looking for work.
Requirements For Canada’s PNPs
PNPs in Canada have different needs, but they can all use a little help from you. The requirements for each PNP vary depending on the province or territory, with some looking more closely at your work experience while others focus more heavily on education-level qualifications.
If you want to be considered a Canadian citizen, PNP will consider your language proficiency and education. They also look at your skill set, which can help contribute to society in general and intend to settle down within the country or territory they are applying for residency.
How To Apply To Through The Paper-Based Process?
If not aligned for Express Entry, you need to submit a paper-based application.
- Once a Canadian province has nominated you, you can submit your paper application for Canadian permanent residence.
- You must also pass a police check and medical examination.
- Paper-based applications take much longer to process than electronic applications submitted through Express Entry. Paper-based application is processed in an average of 18 months.
Processing Time
For those seeking Canadian permanent residence, it’s essential to know the two-step process. First, you apply for your province of choice and, once approved, can use it with either federal government ministries or organizations. Then will they agree whether or not you’ve been granted this privilege? The processing time ranges from 3-4 months until done.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and Express Entry (EE)
The method of application for the Provincial Nominee Program stream you choose will determine how you apply. There are two possibilities:
During the application process, it is mandatory to undergo a medical examination and obtain a police check (certificate). These checks are required for all applicants, regardless of their intended place of residence in Canada.
Non-Express Entry Process (Express Entry PNP)
In the non-Express Entry process:
- You submit an application to the province or territory to be nominated under a non-Express Entry stream.
- You must fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the nominating province.
- If you receive a nomination, you can then apply for permanent residence online.
- You are required to undergo a medical examination and obtain a police check-up (certificate).
- Please note that the processing times for applications in this process are longer compared to the Express Entry process.
The Express Entry process (Express Entry PNP)
The Express Entry process offers two pathways for application:
- Contact the desired province or territory and apply for a nomination through an Express Entry stream. Upon receiving the nomination, you create an Express Entry profile or update your existing profile, demonstrating your nomination.
- Create an Express Entry profile indicating your interest in specific provinces or territories. If a province or territory expresses interest by sending a “notification of interest” to your account, you can directly contact them. You then apply to their respective Express Entry stream. If nominated, the province or territory will electronically send a nomination certificate to your account, which you can accept.
In both scenarios, it is necessary to fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the province or territory and submit an Express Entry profile that meets the minimum requirements for Express Entry. This includes eligibility for one of the immigration programs covered by Express Entry.
Upon receiving an invitation to apply, you can submit an electronic application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Remember that if you are not eligible in a province, you might be eligible in another province’s program.
Want to apply for a Canadian visa ? Click here to start the process with our help →