Provincial Nominee Program
At Canada Immigration News (CIN), we understand the importance of providing regular and timely updates on the latest immigration news, specifically when it comes to information related to the Canada Provincial Nominee Program. Most people choose Canada PNP as an immigration program.
Here’s a quick Canada PNP guide that will explain everything about Canada Provincial Nominee Program. From what the PNP is, how it works, and the benefits of PNP, the guide includes all!
What is Provincial Nominee Program in Canada?
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program is exclusively designed by IRCC to provide Canadian provinces and territories the opportunity to choose individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada. With its own set of eligibility criteria and application process, each province and territory in Canada is designed. Moreover, there exist Canada’s PNP Programs that aim to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other individuals who will enhance the local economy and community.
Canada PNP Streams and Categories
With each stream having its own requirement, Canada Provincial Nominee Program offers various streams and categories targeting different groups of applicants. The group of individuals may include skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, and semi-skilled workers.
How does Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program work?
In Canada, both the federal and provincial governments manage provincial nominee programs. That is why, the Canada provincial nominee program is a two-step process.
Here’s How the PNP Works:
Choose a Province or Territory
The first step is to choose the province or territory in Canada where you wish to live and work. Each province, except Quebec, has its own PNP with specific streams and categories targeting different types of applicants.
Know Eligibility Criteria
As soon as you have chosen your province or territory, you must determine if you qualify for that stream of the PNP.
Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission
In this step, you may send an Expression of Interest (EOI) or a full application directly to the chosen province or territory.
Receive a Provincial Nomination
If your EOI or application is successful, you will receive a provincial nomination from the province or territory. This nomination is a crucial step as it adds extra points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the federal Express Entry system, increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Apply for Permanent Residence
Once you have obtained a provincial nomination, you must apply for permanent residence to the federal government through one of the available Canada PNP programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class. The federal government will assess your application based on its immigration criteria, including security checks, medical examinations, and other requirements.
What is the Eligibility for PNP in Canada?
Each province or territory in Canada has its own eligibility criteria for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In addition, each province has its own set of requirements and streams targeting different types of applicants. However, here are some common eligibility factors that may apply to many PNP streams:
- Relevant work experience in a specific occupation or industry that is in demand in the province or territory you are applying to.
- Required at least level of education such as a high school diploma, post-secondary certificate, or degree from a recognized institution.
- Show language proficiency in English or French, depending on the official language of the province or territory.
- Must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in the province or territory that is nominating you.
- Show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members upon arrival in the province.
- Meet the general admissibility requirements for Canada, which include factors such as good health, no criminal record, and not being a security risk.
Remember to consult reliable and trustworthy sources for specific and updated details as immigration policies and processes can change over time.
What are the Benefits of PNP?
There are many benefits to applying for the PNP, which includes:
- Priority in Express Entry
- Streamlined Process
- Regional Focus
- Job Opportunities
- Community Support
- Provincial Benefits
Find out which PNPs are currently open and get the latest results using our Canada PNP Live Tracker
The Different PNP Programs in Canada
To be nominated by a province or territory you must follow specific directions provided by each of them.
ALBERTA IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAM (AINP)
You need to have a valid work permit for an eligible occupation, work in an eligible occupation in Alberta, work in an occupation that matches your previous work experience, meet the minimum language requirements, education requirements (high school diploma or equivalent in your country of origin), work experience requirements (a minimum of 12 months full-time work within the past 18 months), have an eligible job offer.
BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (BC PNP)
You can apply under different categories according to what you’re studying in BC or working. Skilled workers may have work experience from abroad, or may not be required to have prior work experience at all.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category applicants need British Columbia work experience. If you recently graduated from a Canadian university, you may not even need any work experience to qualify.
Express Entry offers a faster way to immigrate to British Columbia. However, in order to apply through this method, you must also qualify for a federal economic immigration program. While you do not require British Columbia work experience, you must have relevant work experience as well as meet other requirements such as education and language.
You can also apply for the Entrepreneur Immigration if you own a business and are able to invest in and actively manage a business in British Columbia. Applicants must have the required personal and investment funds.
MANITOBA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (MPNP)
To apply for the Manitoba PNP the following minimal requirements should be met:
- Settlement funds (the recommended minimum amount of money you will need in order to support yourself and your family);
- Language skills
- Commitment to settle in Manitoba.
And if you are applying through Express Entry – educational credential assessment for education obtained outside of Canada.
NEW BRUNSWICK PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (NBPNP)
New Brunswick PNP offers different criteria of admission for each type of skilled workers, entrepreneurs, students, etc. You can also apply through Express Entry, if you meet all of the following criteria:
- Qualify for the federal economic immigration program
- Are currently living and working in New Brunswick
- Are employed in either a managerial, professional or technical position
- Have valid language test scores
- Have an educational credential assessment of education equivalent to Canadian high school diploma.
THE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (NLPNP)
You can apply both on paper and online. To be eligible, you need to hold a job or have an offer, possess sufficient settlement funds, and a dedication to permanent settlement in the province. Interestingly, you also get a dedicated immigration officer, something you don’t see in other PNP programs.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (NTPNP)
To apply for permanent residency in Northwest Territories you need to have a valid job offer, sufficient settlement funds, meet language requirements, and be dedicated to permanent settlement in Northwest Territories.
NOVA SCOTIA NOMINEE PROGRAM (NSNP)
You can apply for Nova Scotia Express Entry if you qualify for a federal economic immigration program. Nova Scotia nominates applicants according to the province’s labor shortage, so skilled workers who possess the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia are most likely to be nominated. The criteria can change any time.
ONTARIO IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAM (OINP)
The Ontario PNP is similar to all the others but divided into three main streams: Employer Job Offer, Human Capital, and Business. To qualify for the Employer Job Offer category you need to have a valid job offer or be an International Student. Within the Human Capital category you can apply either as International Graduates for continuing your studies, or apply for Ontario’s Express Entry. Applying for the Business category you must be either an international corporation looking to expand business in Ontario, or an entrepreneur looking to start a business or purchase an existing business in Ontario.
PRINCE EDWARDS ISLAND PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (PEIPNP)
There are three main streams that you can apply for Prince Edwards Island PNP – as an entrepreneur, business owner, or a skilled worker. In the frame of skilled worker stream PEI also offers a separate stream for so called Critical Workers, which includes jobs requiring only high-school education or specific job training, or on-the-job training (cleaning staff, oil field workers).
SASKATCHEWAN IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAM (SINP)
There are four categories you can apply to in Saskatchewan PNP:
- Worker Point-based ranking system. You can also apply for an in-demand profession (these can change in time).
- Saskatchewan Experience program For foreign workers who have work experience in Saskatchewan and wish to obtain permanent residency.
- Entrepreneur category
- Farmer category
YUCON NOMINEE PROGRAM
In Yucon PNP, you can apply to one of the three categories:
- Skilled worker You may require to have your foreign work and educational credentials assessed, if your occupation falls under the regulated professions category.
- Critical impact worker
- Express Entry
QUEBEC
Quebec does not offer a provincial nominee program. You can immigrate to Quebec as a skilled worker for a permanent or temporary position, as an entrepreneur, or a student. Applicants are ranked on a point-based grid according to certain criteria (training, experience, age, language skills, job offer, family, and sufficient fund