How to apply for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) offer you the pathway towards gaining Canadian Permanent Residence; this is for individuals interested in immigrating to a specific Canadian Province or Territory.

In 2015, Express entry was introduced in Canada as a system of application management for permanent residence via economic immigration programs. Since then, many Canadian territories have been developing enhanced PNP streams aligned with the Express Entry. 

In 2015, Canada introduced Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence through the same major economic immigration programs. Since then, many Canadian provinces and territories have developed ‘enhanced’ PNP streams aligned with Express Entry. 

A normal PNP stream program can be seen within the operations of each Canadian Province, which is designed to meet the criteria within the economic and demographic needs.  

Every single year, the Canadian federal government accelerates the number of offers for PNP candidates. These programs hold their reputation for the fastest growing route to economic immigration in Canada. Check out the most recent Draw results for PNPs through our Social Media Platforms using the links given below.

PNPs become a part of the economic immigration strategy because they are organized to attract active workers who enthusiastically contribute to the Canadian economy with a high chance of residing within the province. Thus, some PNPs are more attentive to experienced immigrants in occupations with high-end demand in that province. Also, other PNPs prioritize immigrants who have a dynamic relationship (for example, a relative) in the area, such that they are more likely to reside in that province. 

A unique PNP can be seen within the operations of each Canadian Province, which is designed to meet the criteria within the economic and demographic needs. As two PNPs can never be the same. Opening of the Program can be at different times of the year and for different durations. 

Some other factors that they take into consideration are language proficiency, education, and skill set. Qualifying depends on demonstrating your contribution to the local economy and has a strong, genuine intention to settle within the specific territory.

The eligible workers for the program:

• have the skills, knowledge, and work experience towards the contribution of the economy of a specific province 
• desire to reside in the province, and
• desire to become Canadian permanent residents 

Unique and different streams and requirements are present in every province and territory, allowing them to target groups. Such as, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:

• learners
• business enthusiasts 
• skilled labor
• semi-skilled labor

If you are willing to immigrate to Canada via any Provincial Nominee Program PNP, you should be a nominee by a Canadian province or territory. 

You must note that depending on the PNP stream you apply will change how you will use this program. It could be either the paper-based process or the online process through Express Entry.

Within this process, you will be needed to have passed the medical exam and police check certificate. These checks are mandatory to be fulfilled in any Canadian Province. 

First and foremost, you need to apply for the PNP in the relevant province where you desire to settle. To be qualified, you must have the necessary skill set, education, and work experience and support and settle yourself and your family.

To be a nominee by the province, you must directly contact them and follow all required instructions within their website: see the links below.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba 
• New Brunswick 
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon 

An assessment by the specific province or territory will be carried out to recognize whether f o immigrate to Canada under you will meet their economic or labor market needs of Canada. They will let you know how long the application process will take.

After approving your application, subsequently, you should apply for permanent residence within the timeframe set out. The relevant province or territory will inform you whether you must apply via the Express Entry system or the normal application process

Applying through Express Entry PNP stream:If you are not within the Express Entry pool, you will be needed to complete an Express Entry profile and be accepted to the pool.

Applying through Non-Express Entry PNP stream: applicants who were nominated under a non-Express Entry PNP stream should apply for using the regular application process.

In the paper-based process:

• Application for nomination is under a non-Express Entry stream.
• It is necessary to meet the eligibility criteria of the province that nominates you.
• As you get nominated, you will need to submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
• You should get your medical exam results and get a Police Clearance (certificate) to every Canadian Province. 
• This will take longer Application processing times than Express Entry.

The two ways to apply for the online Express Entry process:

• Application for nomination is under an Express Entry stream.

• Once the province nominates you, create an Express Entry profile (or use the same profile if you already have) and that you are a nominee.

OR

• Create an Express Entry profile and demonstrate interested in the provinces and territories.
• If you receive a “notification of interest” to your account from a province or territory, you contact them directly.
• You apply to their Express Entry stream:

• If you’re a nominee, the offer by the province will reach your account, and you can agree to take it electronically.

 An important thing to remember is that getting a Provincial Nominee Certificate may differ from one province to another. Check their websites listed above to find out what you need to do before you apply.

Note: The province of Quebec chooses its immigrants.

IN BOTH CASES

• It is necessary to meet the eligibility criteria of the province or territory. And,
• Submission of an Express Entry profile and demonstrates that you meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including being eligible for at least one of the immigration programs it covers.
• And if you receive an invitation to apply, an electronic application should be submitted to IRCC.

Individually each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories has its PNP programs with various streams. Collectively, there are more than 80 different provincial nominee programs!

Claiming for Canadian permanent residence through a PNP program is a simple process of 2 steps. 

At First, you must apply to the relevant province. Once approved, you must submit your application form to the federal government (which is the only party that can provide you the approval for PR). 

Processing times vary from one province to the next, but it classically takes a few months o application processing times.