Overview of Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Canadian federation comprises ten provinces and three territories, each of which welcomes immigrants willing to migrate and settle in the country. These provinces nominate skilled workers who wish to migrate to specific provinces as permanent residents in Canada. The Canadian constitution, the federal government, and each Canadian province are authorized to manage the country's immigration system.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada launched the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 1998, allowing Canadian provinces to invite skilled workers willing to settle in their provinces. Individual Canadian provinces and territories have the authority to hold PNP draws to invite skilled professionals according to the labor market demands of the province.

 

What is Canada's Provincial Nominee Program?

The Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an excellent pathway for immigrants who have the relevant skills, education, and work experience that are in demand in the province they want to settle in. Immigrants who qualify under the PNP draw held by a particular province can migrate and settle in that province as Canadian permanent residents. The main purpose of the Provincial Nominee program is to allow immigrants to migrate across Canada, in whichever province they want to settle in.

Before the launch of PNP, immigrants usually migrated to Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. The PNP program facilitates a balance of immigrant populations among all Canadian provinces and helps the individual provinces invite as many immigrants as required to meet specific labor market demands. Since the launch of the PNP program, Canada has witnessed a broader distribution of immigrant populations as the Prairie Provinces and Atlantic provinces have also started inviting immigrants.

 

Canadian Provinces and Territories

The Canadian federation is made up of ten provinces and three territories. The country is divided into five main geographical divisions which are:

1. The Atlantic Provinces
   • New Brunswick
   • Nova Scotia
   • Prince Edward Island
   • Newfoundland and Labrador
2. Central Canada
   • Ontario
   • Quebec
3. The Prairie Provinces
   • Manitoba
   • Saskatchewan
   • Alberta
4. The West Coast
   • British Columbia
5. The Northern Territories
   • Yukon
   • Nunavut
   • Northwest Territories

All the provinces mentioned above have their own PNP program except Quebec and Nunavut. Each PNP has different streams which are used to target specific groups of immigrants to that province. At least one of the streams under the PNP programs is aligned with the Express Entry selection system.

 

Canada PNP Programs and Streams

There are around 80 different PNP streams offered by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Each province has their own set of requirements and eligibility criteria which is based on the current labour market demand of the province. Candidates willing to migrate to a specific province must check out the eligibility requirements for that province.

The table below lists the PNP programs in Canada and the streams under each PNP program:

PNP Program	List of Streams
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)	Tourism and Hospitality Stream
	Alberta Opportunity Stream
	Alberta Express Entry Stream
	Rural Renewal Stream
	Rural Entrepreneur Stream
	Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
	Farm Stream
	Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)	Skills Immigration Stream
	Express Entry British Columbia Stream
	Entrepreneur Immigration
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)	Skilled Worker Stream
	International Graduate Stream
	Business Investor Stream
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP)	New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
	New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream
	New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program
	New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
	New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)	Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream
	NL PNP Skilled Worker Stream
	NL PNP International Graduate Stream
	NL PNP International Entrepreneur Stream
	NL PNP International Graduate Entrepreneur
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)	Skilled Worker Stream
	Occupation In-Demand Stream
	International Graduates In-Demand Stream
	Entrepreneur Stream
	International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
	Physician stream
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)	Ontario Foreign Worker Stream
	International Student Stream
	In-Demand Skills Stream
	Masters Graduate Stream
	PhD Graduate Stream
	Human Capital Priorities Stream
	Skilled Trades Stream
	French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)	PEI Express Entry stream
	Skilled Worker Stream
	Critical Worker Stream
	International Graduate Stream
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)	International Skilled Worker Stream
	Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience
	Entrepreneur Stream
	Farm Owner and Operator Stream
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NT PNP)	Employer-Driven Stream
	Business Stream
	Francophone Stream
Yukon Provincial Nominee Program (YPNP)	Yukon Express Entry Stream
	Skilled Worker Stream
	Critical Impact Worker
	Business Nominee Stream
	Yukon Community Pilot Stream

 

All Canadian provinces have their PNP programs to invite skilled workers with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut. While Nunavut does not have a separate PNP program as of now, the province of Quebec has its own set of economic immigration programs for skilled workers, which are:

• Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
• Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
• Quebec Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs
• Quebec Business Immigration Programs

Immigrants migrating through any of the programs or PNP streams listed above are eligible to become permanent residents of Canada.

 

Canada PNP Application Process

Each Canadian province holds PNP draws when there is a labour market requirement. Candidates must apply for the particular province or territory they want to migrate to. You can apply for the specific PNP program via the two ways mentioned below:

• Through an Express Entry PNP path: Certain PNP streams offered by the Canadian provinces and territories are linked with the Express Entry system. The provincial government can nominate candidates via the Express Entry pool along with the paper-based nomination process. PNP nominations made through the Express Entry system are known as "enhanced nominations." These applications are processed mostly within 6 months. Applicants with a provincial or territorial nomination can get an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which would increase their chances of receiving an ITA via the Express Entry draw.
• Through a non-Express Entry path:  Applicants who do not have an Express Entry profile can still apply for particular PNP programs held by the particular province. Certain provinces do not require an Express Entry pathway for provincial nomination and are known as “base nominations”. Applicants willing to migrate to a specific province outside of Express Entry can apply for base nominations through the regular paper-based application process.

 

Steps to apply for PNP

The following are the steps to apply for a PNP:

Step 1:  Check your eligibility using the Canada Immigration Points Calculator

Step 2: Check if you are eligible for the specific PNP criteria

Step 3: Gather the documents required

Step 4: Apply for the PNP program

Step 5: Wait for a decision

Depending on the pathway you choose to apply for PNP, you can either apply for a Paper-based process or through Express Entry.

 

Express Entry System: The Canadian provinces or territories follow the two processes mentioned below to nominate candidates in Express Entry:

• Candidates in the Express Entry pool: In this case, the provinces or territories look for candidates in the Express Entry pool. Each province or territory has their own immigration portal where they can look for Express Entry candidates. The provinces use a combination of search fields such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and Provincial or territorial certificate of qualification. Candidates who are selected via this search receive a Notification of Interest (NOI), Expression of Interest (EOI), or an Invitation to Apply (ITA), depending on the province. After receiving such an EOI, NOI, or ITA, you must contact that provincial government and provide them with your Express Entry profile number and the Job Seeker validation code to be considered for nomination via Express Entry.
• Candidates outside the Express Entry pool: In certain cases, a provincial government might feel that a candidate is eligible for an Express Entry stream under a specific PNP but is not registered under the Express Entry pool. In such cases, the candidate might be asked to submit an Express Entry profile. The candidate can then create an Express Entry profile indicating their nomination for that specific province. If they meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the Express Entry streams, then they can enter the Express Entry pool to get the Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker Validation code, which has to be provided to the particular province.

Paper-based process: If you are applying for PNP without Express Entry, then you would be required to follow the paper-based process. The first step is to apply for the specific province through a non-Express Entry stream. You must check your eligibility and other requirements to qualify under that stream. Each provincial government has its own list of in-demand occupations for which skilled workers are required. Once you find your occupation listed under the in-demand occupation list of the province you are applying for, you can submit a paper-based application to apply for Canada PR.

Note: The processing times for paper-based applications are usually longer than those for enhanced nomination via Express Entry.

 

Canada PNP Requirements

You would be eligible to apply for the Canada PNP program if you score a minimum of 67 points under the Canada PNP points grid. You would be eligible to apply for any PNP program if you:

• Are skilled workers with relevant skills, education, and experience
• Are willing to settle in that province or territory
• Want to be a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) 

Each province has their own eligibility requirements. You must check the criteria and requirements specified for the province you want to migrate to. Applicants who wish to apply via the Express Entry program must make sure that they enter and remain in the Express Entry pool of candidates to be considered for selection.

To enter and remain in the Express Entry pool as a PNP candidate:

• You must have a provincial or territorial nomination validated by the nominating jurisdiction
• You must meet the program requirements of any of the Express Entry streams.

 

Documents required for Canada PNP

The following are the documents required to apply for the Canada PNP program:

• A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months
• Recent passport-sized pictures
• Documents showing your nationality and civil status
• Birth certificate
• Documents demonstrating your language proficiency
• Documents to prove your work experience
• Health Insurance Certificates
• Police Clearance Certificates
• Academic qualification documents
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report
• Proof of settlement funds
• Copies of your travel document
• Provincial Selection Certificate (if applicable)
• PNP fee payment receipt
• PNP application form

 

Canada PNP points calculation

Canada uses a points-based system to determine the eligibility of the candidates. The country uses the comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to allot points based on certain factors of the applicants. The six main factors that affect the CRS score of an applicant are:

• Age
• Education
• Work experience
• Language proficiency
• Arranged employment in Canada
• Adaptability

The table below has the details of the points that can be scored under the CRS points calculator:

Factors that	Score
Age	Maximum 12 points
Education	Maximum 25 points
Language Proficiency	Maximum 28 points (English or French)
Work Experience	Maximum 15 points
Adaptability	Maximum 10 points
Arranged Employment	Additional 10 points (not mandatory)

 

Certain PNPs have their own points calculator available on their immigration portal. Currently, the provinces or territories that have their own points calculator are:

• British Columbia
• Ontario
• Nova Scotia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Quebec

Applicants with a provincial or territorial nomination can get an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which would increase their chances of receiving an ITA via the Express Entry draw. The points needed to qualify for a specific PNP draw are decided by the IRCC and the specific provincial government. Candidates with a score above than the minimum CRS score for the specific draw would be eligible to settle in that province and apply for Canada PR.

 

Canada PNP Processing Times

Once you submit your application, the IRCC or the provincial government will be reviewing and processing it. PNP applications via the Express Entry system have a faster processing time than base applications made directly to the provinces. The PNP applications made via Express Entry are usually processed within 6 months. Each province has a different processing time for PNP applications.

The table below lists the Canada PNP processing times for various PNP programs:

Province	Processing Time
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)	3-4 months
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)	3-4 months
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)	4-5 months
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP)	6-8 weeks
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)	6-8 months
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)	8-10 months
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)	3-4 months
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)	6-8 months
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)	5-6 months
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NT PNP)	16-18 months
Yukon Provincial Nominee Program (YPNP)	8-10 weeks

 

Canada PNP Processing Fee

The processing fee for a Canada PNP application may vary on the basis of certain factors, such as the particular province you are applying for and the specific stream you are applying for. The following are the approximate processing fees for Canada PNP:

Type of Application	Processing Fees (in CAD)
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)	$500 - $3,500
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)	$1,150 - $3,500
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)	$500 - $2,500
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP)	$250 - $2,000
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)	$250 - $1,000
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)	-
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)	$1,500 - $3,500
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)	$300 - $10,000
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)	$350 - $2,500
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NT PNP)	$550
Yukon Provincial Nominee Program (YPNP)	$1,325

 

Applicants must also pay the PR application fee. The table below has the breakdown of fees to be paid for the Canada PR application:

Visa Application	Fees in CAD
ECA	$240
PR application per adult	$1,365
PR application per child	$230
IELTS fees	$258
Biometric Fee for Individual	$85
Biometric fees for family	$170

 

What happens after you submit your PNP application?

Once you have submitted your PNP application via Express Entry or directly to the provincial government, the application will go to either the IRCC or the provincial government body responsible for immigration. The authority responsible would check and verify the following things:

• Correctness of the application form
• Payment of processing fee
• Requirements and eligibility as specified
• Accuracy of the documents provided

The IRCC or the responsible authority might contact you for the following things:

• Confirm that your application is complete
• Inform you about what to do next

Note: Incomplete applications are rejected, and the processing fees are refunded to the applicant.

After the review and verification are complete, the relevant authority will send an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) with your application number. The application will then be forwarded for processing.

You might be asked to submit the following documents while your application is being processed:

• Biometrics: You would be required to submit your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) if your age is between 14 and 79 years. Your biometrics must be included along with all the applications for Canada PR. The biometric fee payment receipt should be submitted along with your application. You’ll have 30 days to pay your biometric fee starting from the date you receive a letter confirming that your application is complete.

• Medical test results: You and your family would be required to take a medical test before you migrate to Canada. Your medical test results must demonstrate that you are medically fit and will not be a threat to Canada’s public safety or health. Your health condition should not be too demanding on Canadian health services or social services.
• Police Clearance Certificates: You would be required to provide a police clearance certificate issued by relevant authorities from the country you are currently residing in, or you have stayed for more than 6 months. You must have zero criminal records active so as to be considered eligible to migrate to Canada.

 

What to do if your application is approved?

If your PNP application is approved, you must proceed to apply to the IRCC for Canada PR. The following are the documents required for the Canada PR application:

• Completed visa application form
• A valid passport
• Personal documents and identity proof such as:
  • Birth certificate
  • Voter ID card or other proof of nationality
  • Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Language proficiency test results
• Police Clearance reports
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
• Academic qualification details such as
  • Educational transcripts of secondary and post-secondary education
• Proof of professional experience such as:
  • Job offer letters
  • Copies of employment contacts
  • Payslips
  • T4 Tax information slips (for Canadian work experience)
  • Notice of Assessment and Option C printouts from CRA (for Canadian work experience)
  • Copy of Canadian work Permit or employment authorization (for Canadian work experience)
• Proof of settlement funds, depending on the number of family members you have

No. of Family Members	Required Amount (CAD)
1	CAD 14,690
2	CAD 18,288
3	CAD 22,483
4	CAD 27,297
5	CAD 30,690
6	CAD 34,917
7	CAD 38,875
>7	CAD 3,958 (for each additional member)

 

The table below has the breakdown of the fees to be paid to apply for Canada PR:

Type of Fees	Amount to be Paid (CAD)
Processing fee	$950
Right of permanent residence fee	$575
Including a dependent child	$260
Permanent Resident Card	$50

 

Applying for Canada PR via PNP

Applying for Canada PR involves a three-step process. The time allotted to candidates after receiving an ITA is 60 days. Therefore, candidates are advised to prepare all documents and reports well in advance to avoid delays and errors while applying for PR.

The steps to apply for Canada PR after receiving an ITA are listed below:

Step 1: Fill out the online application for Canada PR

Step 2: Apply for Canada PR along with the documents required

Step 3: Complete the fee payment

Once the fee payment is done, the IRCC will issue the following documents:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
• PR visa
• Letter having details about your COPR and other requisites

 

What to do if your application is rejected?

If your PNP application is rejected, you will receive a letter demonstrating the reason for rejection. You can opt for one of the following ways to be reconsidered:

• Apply after rectifying your mistakes
• Meet the eligibility requirements
• Appeal for your application
• Check  your admissibility to Canada
• Look for other provinces or territories

Common mistakes to avoid while applying for Canada PNP

The following mistakes might lead to delays or rejection of your PNP application:

• Incomplete Application: The most common reason for a rejected application is that you provide incomplete information on your application form. You must double-check and ensure that your application contains complete and up-to-date information about everything that is asked for. 
• Not meeting eligibility requirements: It is important to check the eligibility criteria and other requirements to avoid delays or rejection of your application. If you are found ineligible for the specific PNP stream you have applied for, you will even lose your application fee.
• Providing false information: Providing fake information on your application can have serious consequences other than your application getting rejected. You might be held inadmissible to Canada in the future.
• Not responding to requests for additional information: The IRCC or the relevant authority might contact you to provide additional information or supporting documents via mail. Therefore, you must keep an eye on the mail ID you have provided and keep checking for updates to respond to the requests on time.
• Not meeting submission deadlines: You would be given a specific time period to submit or apply for certain things. You must abide by the deadlines to make sure that your application is processed within time and is not rejected for mistakes on your part.

 

Latest Canada PNP Draws 2024

The table below has the details of the latest PNP draws held by different Canadian provinces in 2024 till date:

Month	Provinces	No. of Draws	Total No. of Invitations
August	BC	1	149
	Manitoba	1	203
July	Ontario	8	5,925
	Alberta	1	37
	Manitoba	2	287
	BC	4	333
June	Ontario	5	646
	Manitoba	3	667
	Saskatchewan	1	120
	Quebec	2	2,751
	Alberta	1	73
	PEI	1	75
	BC	4	287
May	Alberta	1	40
	BC	4	308
	Manitoba	3	1,565
	Quebec	2	2,791
	PEI	1	6
April	BC	4	350
	Manitoba	2	690
	Saskatchewan	1	15
	Ontario	1	211
	Alberta	1	48
	PEI	2	148
	Quebec	1	1,036
March	BC	4	654
	Manitoba	1	104
	Saskatchewan	1	35
	Ontario	9	11,092
	Alberta	1	34
	PEI	1	85
	Quebec	2	2,493
February	BC	1	218
	Manitoba	1	282
	Ontario	4	6,638
	Alberta	1	100
	PEI	1	228
	Quebec	1	1,011
January	BC	1	279
	Manitoba	1	322
	Saskatchewan	1	500
	Ontario	5	5,880
	Alberta	1	46
	PEI	1	223
	Quebec	1	1,011
	Newfoundland	1	200

 

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