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Provincial Nominee Programs

Provincial Nominee

Immigration

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a crucial component of Canada's immigration framework, designed to address the specific economic and demographic needs of individual provinces and territories. Through PNP, provinces and territories have the authority to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on their unique skills, work experience, and contributions to the local economy.


This program not only enhances regional diversity but also allows provinces to select candidates who are best suited to meet their specific labor market demands. In this guide, we will explore the intricacies of the PNP, its various streams, and how it provides an excellent opportunity for skilled individuals to make a meaningful contribution to both their chosen province and the broader Canadian society.

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Provincial Nominee Programs

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) provide Canadian provinces and territories the authority to nominate candidates for permanent residency based on their skills and their commitment to settle in a specific province.


In essence, PNPs open up additional avenues for candidates who:


  1. Possess the specific skills, education, and work experience required to contribute to a province's economy. Each province sets its own criteria and targets specific professional groups, varying from one region to another.
  2. Express a desire to reside and establish themselves in a particular province.
  3. Intend to obtain permanent resident status in Canada.


These programs play a crucial role in providing alternative pathways for candidates who may not qualify under the federal Express Entry system. For individuals facing challenges such as age restrictions, language proficiency, or eligibility for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), PNPs offer an important opportunity.


Each province and territory tailors its immigration programs to meet its unique economic and social development goals. Consequently, these programs have distinct eligibility criteria. 

Generally, PNPs target the following groups:


  • Semi-skilled workers
  • Skilled workers
  • Students
  • Business individuals


It's worth noting that since the launch of the Express Entry system, many provinces and territories have adapted their existing programs or introduced new streams specifically designed to issue nominations to Express Entry candidates. These nominations provide a significant boost of 600 CRS points to eligible Express Entry applicants.


The application process for provincial nomination, whether based on Express Entry or other criteria, requires candidates to meet the specific eligibility requirements set by the province or territory.


Additionally, candidates must maintain a valid Express Entry profile, demonstrating that they meet the minimum criteria for the program.


This includes eligibility for one of the immigration programs covered by Express Entry. These nominations grant eligible Express Entry applicants an additional 600 points towards their CRS score.


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Express Entry Immigration System

Some information that you should know about express entry immigration system.

Application Process

Here is the application process broken down:


  • First, ensure you have a valid Express Entry profile that meets the eligibility criteria for one of the EE system programs. Your profile should also indicate your interest in participating in PNP draws conducted by participating provinces or territories.


  • Verify that you meet the eligibility criteria set by the province or territory and that you have a valid Express Entry profile.


  • Candidates who meet the PNP requirements will receive a letter or Notification of Interest, initiating a separate PNP application process. It's important to note that receiving the interest does not guarantee nomination approval. Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and confirm their eligibility with the provided evidence.


  • Upon nomination, the province will extend the offer through your Express Entry profile account, which you can accept electronically.


  • Your Express Entry profile will be updated with an additional 600 CRS points, augmenting your current score.


  • Your Express Entry profile, now with the enhanced score, will be considered in the next Express Entry draw. If you meet the criteria, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).


  • The ITA sets a deadline of 60 calendar days for you, as an Express Entry candidate, to complete the ePR application and submit it.


Paper-based Application Process

In many cases, provincial nomination applications predominantly follow a paper-based processing method. This means that applicants are required to submit their nomination application in physical form. Once a nomination is secured, this is followed by a paper-based Permanent Residency (PR) application.


However, it's worth noting that certain provinces, such as Ontario and British Columbia, have modernized their processing systems and shifted towards internal electronic processing models. For instance, candidates are now required to complete and upload all supporting documents through online portals. Nonetheless, the PR application step, submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, remains paper-based.

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Skills Immigration

  • Self-employed farmer stream
  • Alberta opportunity stream
  • Alberta express entry stream 


British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Skills Immigration

  • Skilled worker category
  • Healthcare professional category
  • International graduate category
  • International post graduate category
  • Entry level and semi skilled worker category


Express Entry

  • Express entry BC skilled worker
  • Express entry international graduate
  • Express entry health care professional
  • Express entry international post graduate


Entrenpeur

  • Entrepreneur immigration category
  • Entrepreneur immigration regional pilot
  • Strategic projects category


BC PNP Tech Pilot


Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

  • Skilled Worker in Mainitoba
  • Skiller Worker Overseas
  • Minitoba Business Investor Stream
  • Manitoba farm investor pathway
  • Manitoba entrepreneur pathway
  • Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative
  • International Education Stream
  • Career employment pathway
  • Graduate internship pathway
  • International student entrepreneur pilot


New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

  • NB Express Entry Stream
  • NB Skilled Worker Stream
  • NB Entrepreneur Stream

Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)

  • Express entry skilled worker
  • Skilled worker
  • International graduate
  • International entrepreneur
  • International graduate entrepreneur

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

  • Employer driven programs
  • Express entry system for skilled workers
  • Skilled worker
  • Critical impact worker



  • Business immigration program
  • Business stream

Nova Scotia Nomiee Program (NSNP)

  • Express Entry
  • Nova Scotia demand
  • Nova Scotia experience
  • Labour market
  • Nova Scotia labour market priorities
  • Nova Scotia labour market priorities for physicians
  • Skilled worker stream
  • Occupation in demand stream
  • Entrepreneur stream
  • International graduate entrepreneur stream
  • Physical stream

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

  • Employer job offer
  • Foreign worker stream
  • International student stream
  • In demand skills stream
  • Human capital category (EE stream)
  • International graduates
  • Masters graduate stream
  • PH D graduate stream
  • Ontario's express entry
  • French speaking skilled worker stream
  • Human capital priorities stream
  • Skilled trades stream
  • Business category
  • Entrepreneur stream


Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

  • Express Entry
  • Labour impact category
  • Skilled workers in PEI stream
  • Critical worker stream
  • International graduate stream
  • Skilled workers outside Canada

 

  • Business impact category
  • Entrepreneur category
  • Work permit stream
  • 100% ownership stream
  • Partial ownership stream

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

International Skilled Worker Category

  • Employment offer
  • Occupation in demand
  • Saskatchewan express entry

 

Saskatchewan Experience Category

  • Skilled worker with existing work permit
  • Semi skilled agriculture worker with existing work permit
  • Health professionals
  • Hospitality sector project
  • Long haul truck driver project
  • Students


Entreprenuer Category

  • Farm category

Yukon Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

  • Express entry
  • Skilled worker program
  • Critical impact worker program
  • Business program

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) provides a route for applicants to seek permanent residency through the Express Entry system. Tailored for skilled workers holding Canadian work experience, this program streamlines their path to becoming permanent residents of Canada.


Work Experience

  • Applicants are required to have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience within the last three years before creating their Express Entry (EE) profile. This experience can also be a combination of full-time and part-time work, as long as it adds up to the equivalent of one year. It's important that this work experience was obtained legally in Canada. Additionally, the work experience can be in one or more of the NOC 0, A, or B job categories.


Education

  • Although there is no compulsory educational requirement for creating an Express Entry (EE) profile under the Canadian Experience Class, obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an accredited immigration organization is strongly advised. This action plays a vital role in boosting your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Minimum Language Requirements

Candidates are required to achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 ("initial intermediate") or 7 ("adequate intermediate proficiency"), depending on the job level, or surpass these benchmarks in order to meet the language proficiency requirement.

NOC Skill Type or Level Minimum level for all four langauge abilities (English) Minimum level for all four language abilities (French)
NOC 0 or A CLB 7 NCLC 7
NOC B CLB 5 NCLC 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions. 

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

  • What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)?

    The OINP is Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program, which allows the province to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on specific economic and demographic needs.

  • Who is eligible to apply for the OINP?

    Eligibility criteria for the OINP varies depending on the specific streams or categories within the program. Generally, individuals with skills, work experience, and an intention to reside in Ontario may be eligible.

  • What are the different streams under the OINP?

    The OINP offers various streams, including the Human Capital Category, Employer Job Offer Category, Business Category, and International Student Category, each targeting different groups of candidates.

  • Do I need a job offer to apply for the OINP?

    While some streams require a valid job offer from an Ontario employer, others do not. It's important to review the specific requirements of the stream you're interested in.

  • What is the Express Entry-linked stream in the OINP?

    The Express Entry-linked stream allows Ontario to nominate candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who meet the specific criteria of the OINP.

  • How do I apply for the OINP?

    The application process for the OINP involves several steps, including determining eligibility, submitting an application online, and providing supporting documents.

  • What is the significance of an OINP nomination for my Express Entry application?

    An OINP nomination provides an additional 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the federal Express Entry system, greatly enhancing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

  • Can I apply for multiple streams within the OINP?

    It's possible to be eligible for multiple streams, but you can generally only apply for one at a time. You should carefully review the specific eligibility criteria for each stream.

  • What happens after I receive an OINP nomination?

    After receiving a nomination, you will be issued a provincial nomination certificate. You can then use this certificate to apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

  • How long does it take to process an OINP application?

    Processing times can vary depending on the specific stream and other factors. It's recommended to check the official OINP website for the most up-to-date processing times.

Provincial Nominee Immigration Program

  • How do PNPs differ from federal immigration programs like Express Entry?

    A PNP is a Canadian immigration program that allows individual provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on specific regional economic needs.

  • How do PNPs differ from federal immigration programs like Express Entry?

    PNPs are specific to individual provinces and territories and are designed to address their unique labor market and demographic needs. 


    Express Entry is a federal program that manages the applications of candidates from three economic immigration programs.

  • Who is eligible to apply for a PNP?

    Eligibility criteria vary by province and territory and depend on factors like occupation, work experience, language proficiency, and intention to settle in the specific region.

  • Do I need a job offer to apply for a PNP?

    While some PNPs require a job offer from an employer in the province, others have streams that do not require a job offer.

  • Can I apply for multiple PNPs at the same time?

    In most cases, you can only apply to one province at a time. However, some provinces have agreements that allow you to transfer your nomination to another province if certain conditions are met.

  • What is the role of an Express Entry-linked PNP stream?

    Some provinces have streams that are linked to the federal Express Entry system. If you are nominated through an Express Entry-linked stream, you receive additional points that significantly increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency.

  • How long does it take to process a PNP application?

    Processing times vary by province and territory, as well as by individual circumstances. It's recommended to check the official website of the specific PNP for the most up-to-date information.

  • What happens after I receive a provincial nomination?

    Once you receive a provincial nomination, you can use it to apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

  • Can I appeal a decision if my PNP application is rejected?

    Yes, in most cases, you have the option to appeal a decision if your PNP application is rejected. Each province and territory has its own appeal process.

  • Can my family members come with me if I am nominated through a PNP?

    Yes, in most cases, your immediate family members (spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children) can come with you to Canada.

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