The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in Canada provide a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who wish to immigrate to a specific province or territory in Canada. Each province and territory manages its own PNP, tailored to address its unique economic and demographic needs.
Every province, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, operates several streams within its PNP. These streams are designed to meet distinct immigration objectives, leading to varied eligibility criteria and application procedures.
PNPs are popular as they offer a more direct route to permanent residency in Canada. However, decisions regarding permanent residency must be approved at the national level by the federal government, meaning provinces cannot independently grant permanent resident status. Therefore, provincial programs are referred to as “nomination programs.” A candidate selected by a PNP will receive a nomination from the province to apply for permanent residency with the federal government. Consequently, immigrating to Canada through a PNP involves a two-step process: first, provincial approval, followed by a federal application.
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The Provincial Nominee Program includes the following provinces and territories:
No, Quebec does not participate in the Provincial Nominee Program. Instead, Quebec has a separate agreement with the Government of Canada, which grants the province exclusive authority to select individuals who wish to live there.
Yes, it is possible to obtain a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa without a provincial nomination. To explore your Canadian immigration options, you can contact us for an assessment.
Yes, you can. Provinces and territories can nominate individuals under their regular, or “base,” PNPs, which operate independently of the Express Entry system. This option is available for those who are ineligible for Express Entry but meet the criteria for a provincial program.
Candidates who receive a base nomination will have their applications processed outside of Express Entry. The process involves two steps: first, obtaining a provincial nomination certificate by meeting the PNP stream criteria, and then applying for permanent residency with the federal government using that certificate.
No, IRCC requires that Provincial Nominees meet statutory requirements, including health, security, and document authenticity, before issuing a Canada Immigration Visa.
Provinces typically seek individuals who will contribute to their economic growth and are willing to settle there. Criteria may include: