A Guide to Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Prospective immigrants can immigrate to any province or territory through Canadian Provincial Nominee Program and enjoy the diversity from coast to coast and north to south. As the name suggests, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is operated by various provincial governments in Canada. Each of them has a unique PNP with immigration requirements designed to meet labour shortages and boost the economy. Let’s explore all the PNP options available for economic and business immigration to Canada.

There are  80+ Canadian provincial nominee programs offered by provinces and territories. Here is a province-wise list of PNP Programs.

A step-by-step process to apply for Canadian Provincial Nominee Program:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Select the PNP that is appropriate for you. Check out the provinces and territories mentioned above to choose where to move. Check each PNP’s eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

Step 2: Register an Express of Interest

Apply directly to your chosen province or territory. Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for one or more streams on their official website portals.

Step 3: Receive Provincial Nomination Certificate

If your application is successful, the province or territory will nominate you to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Step 4: Submit your PR Application

Apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence. You can do this online if you have chosen Express Entry-based PNP. If not, then you must submit a paper-based application.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is suited for foreign nationals with the skills to contribute to the province’s workforce. British Columbia offers BC PNP Skills Immigration and BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration for foreign skilled workers and entrepreneurs. These are the PNP Immigration Streams included in the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program:

BC PNP Skills Immigration – Streams for Foreign Skilled Workers

• BC PNP Tech – for foreign tech workers
• BC PNP Skilled Worker – for skilled workers
• BC PNP Health Authority – for healthcare professionals
• BC PNP Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) – for semi-skilled workers like Truck Drivers
• BC PNP International Graduate – for international students who completed graduation in Canada
• BC PNP International Post-Graduate – for international students who completed post-graduation in Canada

BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Streams for foreign entrepreneurs and corporations.

• BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category – Minimum investment requirement is CAD 200,000
• BC PNP Regional Pilot Program – Minimum investment requirement is CAD 100,000
• BC PNP Strategic Projects – Equity Investment requirement is CAD 500,000

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

The province of Alberta offers the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. The first two are for foreign workers in Alberta or those who wish to work in the province. These are:

• Alberta Express Entry
• Accelerated Tech Pathway
• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Rural Renewal Stream

Candidates should consider applying through the above streams if they work in in-demand occupations such as management, health, social sciences, art, recreation, sales, or trades. Alberta offers three PNP streams for entrepreneurs who intend to live in the province and acquire or start a new business. These are:

• AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream
• AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• AAIP – Farm Stream

You can learn more about each of Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration streams here.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) serves as Ontario’s PNP to assist foreign nationals in obtaining permanent residency. ​The OINP has nine streams: five for skilled workers and post-graduates (without a job offer), one for entrepreneurs, and three for job offer holders.

• OINP Foreign Worker Stream – for skilled workers possessing a job offer inside Ontario
• OINP International Student Stream – for recent graduates possessing a job offer in Ontario
• OINP In-Demand Skills Stream – for skilled workers in an in-demand occupation with a job offer in Ontario
• OINP Masters Graduate Stream – for students having a master’s degree from an Ontario university.
• OINP Ph.D. Graduate Stream – for students having a Ph.D. degree from an Ontario university.

OINP Express Entry Streams – These streams can be aligned with the Express Entry System. To qualify, you must have an Express Entry profile and receive a notification of interest from Ontario.

• OINP French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream – French-speaking foreign workers with strong English language skills.
• OINP Human Capital Priorities Stream – most popular stream for foreign skilled workers having enough experience, education and language abilities
• OINP Skilled Trades Stream – for foreign workers with Ontario work experience in an eligible skilled trade.

OINP Entrepreneur Stream: Candidates should consider applying through the OINP if they work in in-demand occupations such as plumbers, farmworkers, nurses, and managers. You can learn more about each of these streams Ontario Entrepreneur Program streams here.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) comprises seven streams spread across Skilled Workers, International Education, and Business Investor categories.

Skilled Workers Stream offers two MPNP programs to meet the demands of Manitoba employers and serve as the local driving force.

• MPNP Skilled Workers in Manitoba – for skilled workers having ongoing Manitoba employment.
• MPNP Skilled Workers Overseas – for skilled workers who have a firmly established link to Manitoba, whether it be through the help of family or friends, past education, or employment.

Some in-demand occupations that fit the above streams include business, finance, administration, health, art, recreation, sales, and transport.

International Education Stream is for international students who recently graduated in Manitoba and can support the province’s labour demands.

• Career Employment Pathway – for recent graduates in Manitoba possessing a full-time job offer.
• Graduate Internship Pathway – for students who completed a master’s or doctoral degree program in Manitoba.
• International Student Entrepreneur Pilot – for foreign students who pursue entrepreneurship rather than employment.

MPNP Business Investor Streams:

• MPNP Entrepreneur Pathway – Minimum investment is $250,000 CAD inside Winnipeg and $150,000 CAD outside Winnipeg.
• MPNP Farm Investor Pathway – At least $300,000 CAD farm investment.

You can learn more about MPNP Business Investor Streams here. Find more pathways to obtain Canada PR by Investment here.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Canadian Provincial Nominee Program is also operated uniquely by Saskatchewan province. Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is the official name for the province’s PNP, which includes the following three categories:

SINP International Skilled Worker offers four PNP programs:

• SINP Tech Talent Pathway – for foreign workers possessing a job offer (in 11 eligible tech occupations) inside Saskatchewan.
• SINP Employment Offer – for skilled workers who possess a job offer in Saskatchewan.
• SINP Occupations In Demand – for skilled foreign workers with skilled experience in an in-demand occupation.
• SINP Express Entry – for candidates Express Entry candidates who have skilled work experience in an occupation in demand in Saskatchewan.

SINP Saskatchewan Experience stream offers six Provincial Nominee Programs:

• Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit
• Semi-skilled Agriculture Worker with Existing Work Permit
• Health Professionals
• Hospitality Sector Project
• Long Haul Truck Driver Project
• Students

SINP Entrepreneur Immigration Stream offers business immigration pathways to entrepreneurs and investors looking for permanent residency through Canadian Provincial Nominee Program,.

• SINP Entrepreneur Stream
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
• Farm Owner/Operator Category

Workers in agriculture, health, hospitality, and transportations are in-demand occupations in this Saskatchewan.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program was designed for foreign nationals with the necessary skills and background to contribute to the province’s economy. It is Saskatchewan’s version of the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program and has the following streams:

• NBPNP Skilled Worker Stream – for skilled foreign workers who possess the skills, education and work experience needed to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy
• NBPNP Express Entry Stream – for Express Entry candidates having skills, education and work experience in an in-demand occupation.
• NBPNP Strategic Initiative Stream – for French-speaking foreign skilled workers.

New Brunswick Business Immigration for foreign entrepreneurs and investors.

• New Brunswick Entrepreneur Program – Minimum investment is $300,000 CAD (in Saskatoon or Regina), $200,000 CAD for businesses in other parts.
• New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream – Minimum investment variable depending on the. of employees.

Candidates should consider applying through the NB Express Entry Stream if they work in in-demand occupations such as civil engineers, aerospace engineers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers, and food service supervisors.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) targets foreign-skilled workers and entrepreneurs with the skills and experience to boost the province’s economy and tackle demographic challenges.

The Nova Scotia nominee program consists of nine different streams. These are:

• Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities – 
• Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
• Physician Stream
• International Graduates In Demand
• Skilled Worker Stream
• Occupations in Demand
• Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
• NSNP Entrepreneur Stream
• Entrepreneur Stream
• International Graduate Entrepreneur

Physicians, nurse aides, truck drivers, financial auditors, accountants, administrative assistants, and civil engineers are this province’s in-demand workers.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

Prince Edward Island is one of Canada’s thirteen provinces and the smallest in land area and population. Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program consists of the following streams:

• PEI PNP Critical Worker Stream
• PEI PNP Skilled Worker Stream
• PEI PNP Express Entry Stream
• PEI PNP Occupations in Demand
• PEI PNP International Graduate Stream
• PEI PNP Business Impact Category

Aerospace engineers, specialist physicians, university professors, social workers, mechanics, and sales executives are among the in-demand workers in this province.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

Canada’s Northwest Territories include the regions of Dehcho, North Slave, Sahtu, South Slave and Inuvik. Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has two PNP streams. These are:

• NTNP Skilled Worker Stream
• NTNP Express Entry
• NTNP Business Stream
• NTNP Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations Stream
• NTNP Employer-Driven Stream

Accountants, IT professionals, registered nurses, dentists, cooks, electricians, truck drivers, and farm workers are among the in-demand occupations in this province.

Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

One of the most beautiful provinces in Canada, Yukon is gorgeous and has abundant natural resources. The official name for this program is the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). It offers these Provincial Nominee Program streams:

• Yukon Critical Impact Worker
• Yukon Skilled Worker
• Yukon Express Entry
• Yukon Community Program
• Yukon Business Nominee Program

Accountants, bookkeepers, dentists, electricians, truck drivers, cashiers, and farm workers are this province’s in-demand occupations.

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

Newfoundland and Labrador consist of nine Provincial Nominee Program Streams under NL PNP. These are:

• NL PNP Express Entry Skilled Worker
• NL PNP Skilled Worker
• NL PNP International Graduate
• International Entrepreneur Category
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

Managerial Occupations, Health Occupations, Sales and Service Occupations, Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators, and Related Occupations are among Newfoundland and Labrador’s in-demand workers.

Candian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Requirements

The eligibility requirements for PNP vary from province to province. In addition, requirements are often unique to each stream within a particular province’s set of programs. Prospective immigrants should understand the requirements for their preferred province before applying through any provincial nominee programs. These requirements are typically related to Work experience, Language skills and Education. Some streams may also require you to possess a minimum level of funds, a job offer, and/or intend to set up or acquire a business.

PNP without Express Entry

Prospective immigrants can apply for their chosen Provincial Nominee Program via a paper-based process that does not involve the Express Entry system. To do this, they must first ask their province or territory for nomination by applying. If they meet the eligibility requirements for their chosen stream, they may be contacted by the province or territory for a nomination.

Applicants can then submit their paper-based application to receive permanent resident status. This new application must be submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applicants must complete other tasks such as a police check and a medical exam.

How to apply for PNP Express Entry?

Applicants can apply for Canadian Provincial Nominee Program via the Express Entry System using one of two possible methods:

PNP Express Entry Route #1

The applicant must contact the province or territory and express their interest in receiving an Express Entry Stream nomination. Once the province has agreed to nominate the applicant, they must create their Express Entry profile and show proof of their nomination.

PNP Express Entry Route #2

The applicant must first set up an Express Entry Profile and inform the provinces and territories of their interest. Once a province or territory responds, they will provide a “notification of interest” sent to the Express Entry Profile created earlier. The applicant will then contact the province directly and apply via their Express Entry Stream. Successful applicants should receive a nomination through their accounts. They can then accept it online.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for PNP through Express Entry

• Step 1: Create an Express Entry Profile
• Step 2: Apply for any Express Entry-based Provincial Nominee Program
• Step 3: Receive a nomination by Express Entry-based PNP
• Step 4: Add nomination details on EE Profile and get 600 additional points
• Step 5: Wait to receive an ITA for permanent residence
• Step 6: Apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system

PNP vs Express Entry

There is no general answer to this question, as it depends on which option suits an individual best. However, we can examine PNP vs. Express Entry in different ways, including available programs, type of point system, ways to apply, application processing time, fees etc.

Here is a guide to PNP vs Express Entry and Which is Better?

Prospective immigrants who wish to immigrate to Canada through any of the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams mentioned above should Book a Consultation here. Our exceptional team is led by Mr. Keshav Sharma, an RCIC who understands the Canadian PNP pathways. They can assess your PNP eligibility and optimize your application. Make your journey to Canada easier under the guidance of the experts at Elaar Immigration by contacting us today.

FAQ: Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

What are the PNP’s eligibility requirements?

The province or territory and the particular PNP stream determine the eligibility requirements. Criteria typically include things like intention to reside in the nominated province or territory, employment experience, education, and language proficiency.

How can I submit a PNP application?

There are multiple steps in the Provincial Nominee Programme application procedure. Usually, you must:

– Select a province or territory, then choose an appropriate PNP stream.
– fulfil the prerequisites for that stream’s eligibility.
– Send a direct application to the province or territory, or submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
– Apply to the federal authorities for permanent residency if you are nominated.

Does the PNP necessitate a job offer?

Not always. A legitimate work offer from an employer in the nominating province or territory is necessary for some PNP streams, but not for others. Nonetheless, receiving a job offer may increase your chances of receiving a nomination.

What advantages does the PNP offer?

A few benefits of the PNP are the ability to live and work in a certain province or territory, quicker processing of applications for permanent residence, and the ability to support the local economy.

How much time does it take to complete an application for PNP?

Depending on the province or region and the particular stream, processing periods for the PNP can differ significantly. Typically, the nomination process might take anything from a few months to more than a year from the time of application.

Can I submit more than one PNP application at once?

Yes, provided you fulfil the requirements for each programme, you may submit applications to more than one PNP at once. Before applying, it’s crucial to make sure you meet the requirements by carefully reading through each program’s requirements.

Can I use the PNP to petition for citizenship in Canada?

After a specific amount of time, after fulfilling the residency criteria and obtaining permanent residency through the PNP, you can be qualified to apply for Canadian citizenship.