The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an immigration pathway that allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have the skills, education, and work experience needed for their local labor market. It is designed for those who want to settle in a specific province and contribute to its economy.
Each province and territory (except Quebec) has its own PNP streams, tailored to specific immigration needs, such as:
✔️ Skilled Worker Streams – For professionals in high-demand occupations.
✔️ Entrepreneur Streams – For business owners and investors.
✔️ International Graduate Streams – For students who completed studies in Canada.
✔️ Semi-Skilled & Low-Skilled Worker Streams – For labor shortages in essential industries.
PNP can be applied through Express Entry (enhanced PNP) or as a direct provincial application (base PNP). A provincial nomination significantly boosts an applicant’s chances of permanent residency (PR).
Process to Obtain a Provincial Nomination
✅ Step 1: Choose a Province & Check Eligibility
- Identify a province that matches your skills and work experience.
- Each province has different eligibility criteria based on labor market needs.
✅ Step 2: Apply for a Provincial Nomination
- Submit an application to the specific PNP stream of your chosen province.
- If applying through Express Entry, you may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from a province.
✅ Step 3: Receive Nomination & Apply for PR
- If selected, the province issues a nomination certificate.
- Express Entry applicants get 600 additional CRS points, virtually guaranteeing PR.
✅ Step 4: Submit PR Application to IRCC
- Once nominated, apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Processing times vary but usually take 6–12 months.
Necessary Documents for PNP Application
✅ Valid passport
✅ Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
✅ Language test results (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF)
✅ Work experience letters
✅ Proof of settlement funds
✅ Job offer (if required by the province)
✅ Medical and police clearance
FAQ Related Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The PNP allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates to apply for permanent residency based on local labor market needs.
You can apply directly to a province (base PNP) or through Express Entry-linked streams, where you may receive a provincial nomination that boosts your PR chances.
Some provinces require a job offer, while others have streams for skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs without an employment requirement.
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, significantly increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
All Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec have PNP programs, including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and more.
Processing times vary, but it generally takes 3–6 months for a nomination and another 6–12 months for PR processing through IRCC.
You are expected to settle in the nominating province. If you move to another province soon after PR approval, it may impact future applications like citizenship.
Yes, most PNP programs require proof of settlement funds unless you have a valid job offer in Canada. The required amount depends on your family size.
Express Entry is a federal immigration system based on CRS points, while PNP allows provinces to select candidates suited for their labor market needs.
Yes! Many provinces have International Graduate streams allowing students who completed a Canadian post-secondary program to apply for nomination.
