Provincial nomination is an important fast-track option for Canadian permanent residence.
The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province.
Each Canadian province (except Quebec, which has a different selection system) and two territories have their own unique Provincial Nominee Programs. Participating provinces and territories sign agreements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allow them to select immigrants who meet the requirements that they have set forth.
PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM – GATEWAY TO CANADA
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams are a key part of Canada’s immigration policy, with nearly 250,000 people expected to obtain Canadian permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program between 2021 and 2023.
Provincial Nominee Programs are the fastest-growing economic Canadian immigration pathway. Over recent years, the federal government has gradually increased provinces’ annual allocations for their respective PNPs, showing the increasing importance of these programs within the overall Canadian immigration landscape.
What is Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)?
Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals who are interested in immigrating to a specific Canadian province or territory.
Each Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP designed to meet its specific economic and demographic needs.
Successful applicants obtain a provincial nomination, which may then be used to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry
Most provinces and territories have streams that are connected with the federal Express Entry selection system, through which “enhanced” nominations are available that award nominees 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
A provincial nomination is the single most valuable factor in the CRS, effectively guaranteeing that the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) at a subsequent draw from the pool.
The CRS is a score out of 1,200 assigned to Express Entry candidates, which decides who should get an ITA for permanent residency. In almost every round of Express Entry draws, these 600 bonus points would guarantee that the applicant would receive an ITA.
What are the application options for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
There are two options when filling an application through the PNP program:
- Through Express Entry
- Non-Express Entry
Nominating under a Non-Express Entry stream:
A candidate has to submit his or her application via a paper-based procedure. The provincial or territorial authorities are responsible for nominating the applicants. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does the scrutiny to ascertain the applicant meets the requirements. If the applicant is qualifying then they receive permanent residence in Canada.
Nominating under an Express Entry stream:
A territorial or a provincial government assesses the candidate’s submission. If the applicant meets the requirements, then they receive nomination. Also, the candidate has to attain the minimum criteria with reference to Express Entry.
How many PNPs are there in Canada?
Each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories operates its own PNP program with several streams. Altogether, there are more than 80 different provincial nominee programs!
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories operates its own unique Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to meet its economic and demographic needs. Program requirements and application procedures vary greatly between provinces, so interested applicants should consult each of the provinces in order to determine their eligibility.
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
How to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program in Canada?
Step-by-Step guide to applying to a Canadian PNP:
- Find the PNP that is right for you: Consult the list of provinces and territories at the top of this page to determine where you would like to immigrate. Make sure to check the requirements for each PNP to determine your eligibility.
- Apply to your chosen PNP: Submit an application directly to your chosen province or territory.
- Obtain a Provincial Nomination certificate: If your application is successful, the province or territory will nominate you to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
- Submit your application for permanent residence: Apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence. If your chosen PNP is aligned with Express Entry, you can do this online. If not, you must submit a paper-based application.
Benefits of applying Canada PNP:
Can I qualify for a PNP if I don’t qualify for Express Entry?
Many PNPs require that applicants have an active profile in the Express Entry pool. However, there are exceptions to this where some provinces issue nominations to applicants who do not have Express Entry eligibility. These programs vary in their eligibility requirements, so it is best to consult with a Expressway Immigration representative to discuss your eligibility.
If the PNP is not aligned with Express Entry, the federal permanent residency application must be submitted in the paper-based format, rather than electronically.
Which is the easiest province to immigrate to Canada?
There are different provincial nominee programs that invite the applicants and nominate them as per their labour market requirements. However, the most popular nominee programs among new immigrants are given below:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Provincial Government Fee:
The provincial application fee structure is given in the table below.
| Name of Province | Fees Charged Extra |
| Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) | CAD 1500 |
| Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP) | CAD 350 |
| Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) | CAD 500 |
| British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) | CAD 1150 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
(Only for Province of Quebec) |
Primary applicant: CAD 785
Spouse or Partner: CAD 168 Dependent Child: CAD 168 |
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) costs $ 812. The following is the cost breakdown:
- Primary applicant: CAD 785
- Spouse or Partner: CAD 168
- Dependent Child: CAD 168
What is the processing time for a PNP application?
Processing times for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs largely depend on whether or not the application has been submitted under an Express Entry-linked PNP stream, or one of the other streams not linked with Express Entry.
Most provinces have brought their processing times down to a few months, or even weeks. For Express Entry-linked applications, the federal processing time remains for most applications is six months. Non-Express Entry linked applications, also called paper-based applications, usually take between 1-2 years to process at the federal stage.
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