Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) authorizes provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residence that will meet specific local labour market needs. PNP applications receive priority processing from CIC.

  • Processing times: Most cases are finalized within 16 months. Details regarding individual PNPs are available on provincial and territorial government immigration websites.
  • Provinces and territories have various streams in their PNPs, but they tend to fall into five clusters:
    • Skilled workers
    • Semi-skilled workers
    • Business/investors
    • International student graduates
    • Family/community connections

Most PNPs include one or more employer-driven streams that allow workers to be nominated provided they meet provincial or territorial nomination requirements. These may include specific occupations, education and work experience, official language proficiency, and age.

Applicants must demonstrate an ability to establish themselves economically in the nominating province. CIC is responsible for ensuring that nominees meet extensive health, criminality and security checks.

UNDER IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION REGULATION 87. (1) THE PROVINCIAL NOMINEE CLASS IS HEREBY DESCRIBED AS A CLASS OF PERSONS WHO MAY BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR ABILITY TO BECOME ECONOMICALLY ESTABLISHED IN CANADA.

Most provinces and territories in Canada have an agreement with the Government of Canada that allows them to nominate immigrants who want to settle there. In many cases, applicants apply directly to a province or territory to be considered under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY:

A foreign national is a member of the provincial nominee class if:

  • (a) Subject to subsection (5), they are named in a nomination certificate issued by the government of a province under a provincial nomination agreement between that province and the Minister
  • (b) They intend to reside in the province that has nominated them
  • (c) Language Test is required for a semi- or low-skilled job (NOC C or D),

or under Express Entry for a:

  • Managerial job (NOC skill level 0)
  • Professional job (NOC skill type A)
  • Technical job and skilled trade (NOC skill type B)

An applicant must apply in two stages.:

Stage 1- You must apply to the province or territory you wish to live in. The province or territory will review your application based on two things:

  • 1.Its immigration needs
  • 2.If your plans to live there are legitimate

The criteria does vary and can change without notice.

Stage 2 – After a province or territory nominates you, you must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. A CIC officer will assess your application based on Canadian rules.

As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). All immigrants must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.

NEW BRUNSWICK PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • Business Immigration
  • Family Sponsorship

ONTARIO PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • Investor
  • International Student

NOVA SCOTIA PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • International Graduate
  • Family
  • Community

NEW FOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • International Graduate
  • Family

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES PNP (NTNP)

  • Skilled Worker
  • Semi-Skilled Worker
  • Business Immigration

YUKON PNP (YNP)

  • Skilled Worker
  • Semi-Skilled Worker
  • Business Immigration

ALBERTA PNP (AINP)

  • Skilled Worker
  • Semi-Skilled Worker
  • International Graduate
  • Family
  • Farmer
  • Strategic Recruitment

BRITISH COLUMBIA PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • Semi-Skilled Worker
  • Professional
  • International Graduate
  • Business Immigration

SASKATCHEWAN PNP (SINP)

  • Skilled Worker
  • Semi-Skilled Worker
  • International Student
  • Family
  • Farmer
  • Professional
  • Business Immigration

MANITOBA PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • Regular International Student
  • International Student Strategic Initiative
  • Family
  • Business Immigration
  • Farmer
  • Strategic Recruitment
  • Community

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND PNP

  • Skilled Worker
  • Critical Worker
  • International Graduate
  • Family Connections
  • 100% Ownership
  • Partial Ownership
  • Work Permit
  • Community