The various pathways the government provides to aid immigrants in settling and having a better experience have made studying or working in Canada more accessible. One of them includes obtaining a credible work permit as a skilled worker. These permits can be employer-specific or obtained through the processes established by the residing province.
However, the speed at which one can obtain a work permit depends on several factors, including, but not limited to, the guidelines of each province, available job offers, the type of work permit, processing time, and application fees.
But what if you could achieve overall faster processing in a short time? Provided you have the required documentation and the skill sets, what if your dream to study in a particular province in Canada could come true in the blink of an eye — literally?
Read on to discover how to apply for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
The Provincial Nominee Program is an immigration program established and regulated by the government of Canada and operated by the provincial government according to their specific economic and labor market needs.
Although it is the call of the provincial government to announce their need for a set of people immigrants, it is the responsibility of the federal government under the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to issue out the status of a permanent resident to its applicant. If you want to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada.
PNP is a program in which immigrants are selected or nominated by the provincial government to hold a certain position following their application. It is not limited to skilled workers but is also open to business people, students, and semi-skilled workers.
It is essential to understand that the call by a respective province (which leads to immigrants’ applications) is based on the labor shortage they experience. This shortage could be in a business firm, academia, or the work industry.
This is why the demands for one province may differ from another. So, when you want to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada, it is necessary to cross-check which province has the required workforce you are looking for.
Provinces that offer the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada
All the provinces in Canada are known for their Provincial Nominee Program, except for Quebec and Nunavut. Nunavut does not have a PNP program presently.
Quebec operates under a distinct administration agreed upon by the federal government. So, Quebec’s immigration system allows it to dictate its policies and criteria outside the generally accepted regulations of Canada. So, if you want to apply for Quebec’s PNP program, you must fulfill its personalized demands.
Here is the list of provinces where you can apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada:
Alberta
The Alberta immigration program is called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). It is primarily an economic program that allows immigrants with the required skill set to fill job shortages. In Alberta, the Immigration streams are primarily designed for workers and business people. This can enable them to apply for PR along the line.
Ontario
The Ontario Immigration program is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
It has a specialized immigration stream that covers immigrants with job offers in Ontario, skilled workers or tradespersons, international students hoping to further their studies, and entrepreneurs. These streams fall under respective categories such as Employer Job Offer, Human Capital, Masters or PhD, and the Business category.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) was designed to address the province’s labor force, population size, and economic growth. It is known to welcome more than 5,000 newcomers every year. MPNP streams were developed to cater to skilled workers in the country and overseas, as well as international education, modern community drivers, and business investors. These streams fall under categories such as Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream, Skilled Worker Overseas Stream, International Education Stream, Morden Community Driven Initiative, and Manitoba Business Investor Stream.
If you wish to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada through Ontario, then you must meet the requirements of one of these streams.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) provides eligible immigrants with the skills and experience to be met with a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate. This allows them to live in Nova Scotia and pursue their desire to work, further education, or be involved in a legal business.
There are five options to pick from if you decide to immigrate to Nova Scotia:
- Occupation In-demand Stream
- Skilled Worker Stream
- International Graduates In-demand Stream
- International Graduates Entrepreneur In-demand Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
Saskatchewan
If you wish to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada, you will need the Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP) through Saskatchewan. It is considered one of the preferred destinations for immigrants due to the many options it provides applicants with. It has four immigration streams. They are:
- Saskatchewan Experience Category
- International Skilled Worker Category
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category
Yukon Territory
Its immigration program is regarded as the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). It provides these options for Immigrants to choose from:
- Skilled Worker
- Express Entry
- Critical Impact Worker
- Yukon Community Program
However, entry to this program has been closed for 2024 as the province has exceeded its allocation for the year.
New Brunswick
If you look forward to applying for the (PNP) in Canada through New Brunswick, you need the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). It is an economic program that offers immigrants various streams, whether as skilled workers looking for employment opportunities or business owners hoping to expand their businesses.
British Columbia
British Columbia PNP is also an economic Immigration program that provides a pathway for Immigrants to obtain permanent residence and a conducive environment for their skills to thrive and be put to good use.
Prince Edward Island
If you wish to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada through Prince Edward Island, you need the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). It provides immigrants with the following options to choose from:
- PEI PNP Express Entry
- Business Impact Category
- Labour Impact Category
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is for you if you are an entrepreneur, international graduate, or skilled worker who wants to settle in the country. It provides you with an opportunity to obtain PR. And if you find the province conducive, you could even bring your family to live together.
It has the following streams to choose from:
- Express Entry Skilled Workers
- Skilled Workers
- International Graduates
- International Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
In each province, economic and labor market needs are different. This influences their selection of nominees to fulfill the standard of several roles.
As an immigrant, it is important to understand that when you receive a nomination, it is because no citizen was found suitable for the job. It is essential to note that to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada, citizens must always be considered first before immigrants. It would not be fair to have an immigrant living and working while a citizen is still seeking validation, whether as a skilled worker, student, or businessman.
Requirements to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada
Before you begin your application, assessing your eligibility for the program through the various streams available and its possible cost is important. The requirements include:
1. Work Experience
Applicants must have at least one year of work experience in a specific occupation before applying, one of Canada’s top requirements for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
2. Education
You must have a degree from a post-secondary institution in Canada or a recognized institute by the authorities if you wish to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada.
3. Cutoff from the PNP grid points.
You must hit 67 out of 100 cut-offs on the PNP grid points to qualify for the application. This is calculated based on several factors, including age, work experience, language proficiency, education, and adaptability.
4. Comprehensive Ranking System Score
You need an average CRS score of 400 to qualify for this program.
5. Proof of funds
On average, it is required to own about C$13,175, and it is expected to be displayed on your Proof of Fund to be presented to the right IRCC at the point of application.
6. Job Offer
You need a job offer if you wish to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada. Although this is not required by some program streams, having an employer from the province where you wish to reside who can nominate you is still essential. It will provide a better working advantage, as you will not have to start processing a work permit.
Related Articles:
7. Other supporting certificates
Certificates such as your passport, recent medical report, educational credentials, professional statement, Police clearance certificate, and other province-specific documents are required.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada
You can apply using the Express Entry Process and the Non-Express Entry Process.
The Express Entry process requires applying through one of its three programs: the Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canada Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Workers Program.
The Non-Express Entry process is one you apply directly to your Province of choice.
However, both observe the same application protocol.
1. Check your eligibility
Check if you possess the mentioned requirements. If not, you can hold off on the application process while gathering relevant requirements.
2. Get a Notification of Interest for Nomination
With your relevant documents, apply for the Provincial Nominee Program in your province of choice, creating an Express Entry profile. Upon doing this, you may receive a notification of interest indicating the province’s interest in having you settle in their region. After receiving this notification, you can contact the province to proceed with your nomination.
3. Update your Express Entry profile
If you get nominated by the province, it is time to update your profile. Upon updating or creating this profile, you can earn an additional CRS score of 600 points. This would significantly Increase your chance of being invited to apply (ITA).
4. Apply for Permanent Residence
You may also need a permanent residence if you wish to apply for this program in Canada. If you get an Invitation to Apply from the IRCC, you can apply online and enjoy your stay in Canada.
The Bottom Line
When you apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada, you will be sure to gain access to the quality of life Canada provides and the specific opportunities present in your province of choice. However, you may not enjoy the privilege without meeting the requirements. All criteria must be met to realize this goal, from having the required work experience and qualifying educational history to meeting PNP points, CRS score, and language proficiency, along with securing a credible job offer.
The good thing about the Provincial Nominee Program is its yearly acceptance of applicants. If you do not qualify this year, focus on meeting next year’s application requirements. Your dream to pursue your career in Canada is valid, so put in your best and do not settle for less.
Frequently Asked Questions
It cost an average of C$1,525.00. This includes your processing fee of C$950 and the right to permanent residence fee of C$575.
It takes an average of 6 months to go through the Express Entry program. It could take as long as 18 months if the application is paper-based.
Yes, you need a language proficiency test if you apply through the Express Entry program. However, you are exempted from language testing if you apply through the non-express entry process.
No, you can not apply to Quebec under a PNP. It is important to note that Quebec has a distinct operation for immigration programs.
Prince Edward Island offers the easiest immigration pathways for skilled workers to work in Canada and obtain permanent residence status.
