Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a favored option for immigrants possessing the skills, education, and work experience needed to enhance the economy of a particular province or territory. Each province and territory has its own unique "streams" tailored for students, business professionals, skilled workers, and semi-skilled workers. Annually, the IRCC extends invitations to approximately 80,000 provincial nominees to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Overview

Immigration in Canada is a shared responsibility between the Federal and Provincial governments. Through agreements with the Federal government, various provinces and territories have developed their own immigration programs to nominate potential immigrants for Canadian permanent residency. Once an applicant is nominated by a province or territory as a Provincial Nominee, their Application for Permanent Residence receives expedited processing.

Provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec, have established nominee immigration programs that allow them to "nominate" candidates for permanent residence in Canada. Quebec has its own authority to set "selection" criteria for economic immigration, while the final decision to grant residence status remains with the Federal Government.

The PNP has enabled provinces to benefit from immigration by attracting newcomers across Canada who might otherwise have focused on settling in British Columbia, Quebec, or Ontario. The program provides each province and territory with the opportunity to attract and retain skilled professionals whose expertise aligns with local needs. Currently, provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are actively participating in the PNP, welcoming thousands of newcomers.

PNP Application Options

There are 2 ways to apply for the PNP:

• Paper-based :

• Online (Express Entry) :

Paper-Based Process

In the paper-based process, applicants must apply directly to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. Once nominated, they submit a paper application for permanent residence to IRCC. Before permanent residence status is granted, applicants must pass a medical exam and security checks. The processing time for paper-based applications is generally longer than for the online Express Entry process.

Online Express Entry Process

In the online Express Entry process, applicants start by creating an Express Entry profile and indicating the provinces and territories they are interested in. If a province or territory expresses interest through a “notification of interest” in the applicant's Express Entry account (such as Alberta or Ontario), the applicant can then contact the nominating province directly.

Alternatively, applicants can apply directly to a province’s Express Entry stream (such as Saskatchewan or Prince Edward Island). If nominated, the province offers the nomination through the applicant’s account, and the applicant can accept it electronically.

In both scenarios, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the province or territory and submit an Express Entry profile demonstrating they meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry, including eligibility for one of the covered immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class). A provincial nomination adds 600 additional CRS points to the applicant's profile. If invited to apply for permanent residence by the Federal government due to a Provincial Nomination, the applicant then submits an electronic application for permanent residence to IRCC.

Best PNP Program

With over 80 Provincial Nominee Program streams available, the complexity and differences among them can be overwhelming. It's crucial for applicants to carefully assess each program and select the one that best fits their qualifications and needs. Our team is here to help you identify and apply for the program that suits you best.

Choosing a Province or Territory

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

The AINP offers two streams for foreign workers who are either already living and working in Alberta or plan to do so:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream: Qualified candidates living and working in Alberta with a job offer from an Alberta employer can apply for an AINP nomination.

• Alberta Express Entry Stream: Qualified candidates with an Express Entry profile may receive an invitation from AINP to apply for a nomination for permanent residence.

Additionally, the AINP provides three streams for entrepreneurs.
Learn more about the AINP Streams.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

The BC PNP consists of the following streams for applicants with skills in high-demand occupations in British Columbia:

• Skilled Immigration (SI): Includes SI – Skilled Worker and SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled categories.

• Express Entry BC (EEBC): Comprising Skilled Worker, Healthcare Professional, International Graduate, and International Post-Graduate categories.

• Entrepreneur Immigration: Consists of the Base category and the Regional Pilot.

Learn more about the BC PNP Streams.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

The MPNP offers streams for skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs with the intention and ability to settle and economically establish themselves in Manitoba as permanent residents:

• Skilled Worker Stream: Comprising Skilled Workers in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams.

• International Education Stream: Including Career Employment, Graduate Internship, and International Student Entrepreneur Pilot Pathways.

• Business Investor Stream: Consisting of the Entrepreneur Pathway and the Farm Investor Pathway.

Learn more about the MPNP Streams.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

The NBPNP offers streams targeting skilled workers (both employer-supported and those with profiles in the federal government’s Express Entry selection system), entrepreneurs, and international graduates:

• Streams: Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Express Entry stream, Skilled Worker stream, and Business Immigration stream.

Learn more about the NBPNP Streams.

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

The NLPNP targets skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs through streams such as Express Entry Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Priority Skills, International Entrepreneur, and International Graduate Entrepreneur.

Learn more about the NLPNP Streams.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Nova Scotia offers immigration opportunities to skilled workers and entrepreneurs through its NSNP, with streams including:

• Streams: Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities, Labour Market Priorities for Physicians, Physician, Entrepreneur, International Graduate, Entrepreneur International Graduates, In-Demand Skilled Worker, Occupations in Demand, and Nova Scotia Express Entry.

Learn more about the NSNP Streams.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The OINP selects foreign workers, international students, business owners, or entrepreneurs from outside Canada with the right skills, experience, and education to apply for a nomination. It consists of three categories:

• Employer Job Offer Category: Foreign Worker stream, International Student stream, and In-Demand Skills stream.

• Human Capital Category: International Graduate streams (Masters Graduate stream, PhD Graduate stream) and Ontario’s Express Entry Category (French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream, Human Capital Priorities stream, and Skilled Trades stream).

• Entrepreneur Stream.

Learn more about the OINP Streams.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

The PEI PNP supports the country’s smallest province’s economy by welcoming talented individuals through streams such as PEI Express Entry, Skilled Workers in PEI, Skilled Workers Outside Canada, International Graduates, Critical Worker, and Entrepreneur streams.

Learn more about the PEI PNP Streams.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

The SINP offers provincial nomination through:

• International Skilled Worker Program: Includes Employment Offer, Express Entry, and Occupation In-Demand Streams.

• Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience: Includes Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit, Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit, Health Professionals, Students, Hospitality Sector Project, and Long-Haul Truck Driver Project.

• Entrepreneur Categories: Entrepreneurs, International Graduate Entrepreneurs Category, and Farm Owner and Operators.

Learn more about the SINP Streams.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

The NTNP selects applicants who are ready to open, purchase, or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories and apply under the Business Stream. It also offers three programs for those with a job offer from an NWT employer: Entry-level/semi-skilled occupations, Skilled Worker, and NWT Express Entry.

Learn more about the NTNP Streams.

Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

The YNP is an employment-driven program that helps eligible employers in Canada’s northern territory nominate internationally trained foreign workers and businesspeople for Canadian permanent residence.

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