Provincial
Nominee
Program

There are different needs for skilled workers in Canada’s provinces and territories. Therefore, many provinces and territories have collaborated with the national government to create the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to address their local needs for workers in various occupations. In general, a foreign worker can apply to the PNP of a province or territory where he or she wants to live and work in Canada. If the foreign worker receives a nomination from the participating province or territory for immigration to Canada through its PNP, the next step is to apply to the Canadian immigration agency for permanent residency. If approved for Canadian immigration, the foreign worker and his or her family will settle long-term in the province or territory that nominated them.

There are nine provinces and two territories that participate in the PNP:

It’s important to know that Quebec, the mostly French-speaking province where Montreal is located, doesn’t participate in the Provincial Nominee Program. This is because Quebec, working with the Canadian national government, has developed its own Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) for skilled foreign workers who have the job skills and other qualifications needed in Quebec.

PNP General Requirements

Different territories that participate in the Provincial Nominee Program have their own procedures. However, generally, the PNP will have the following requirements.

Process

The process of applying for a Provincial Nominee Program usually varies depending on a particular province in Canada. However, it generally involves the necessary steps below.

1. Application for a Provincial Nominee Program

Foreign workers can apply for a Provincial Nominee Program through the traditional non-Express Entry stream of a participating province or territory. The non-Express Entry stream can be done online or through submitting a paper application in the mail. If the foreign worker manages to get the required provincial nomination, they can move to the next step of applying to the Canadian immigration agency for permanent residency. Skilled immigrants can also apply for immigration to Canada through the Express Entry system, which is only done online. If they receive a nomination from a province or territory for its PNP, the foreign worker must update his or her Express Entry profile to reflect this and if they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they will have 60 days to submit their Canadian visa application for permanent residency.

2. Application for Canadian Permanent Residency

The foreign worker who receives a PNP nomination will need to file their application for permanent residency with the Canadian immigration agency with all of the required supporting documents and the governmental fee(s). The documents may include medical reports, proof of funds, police certificates, and other documents. When the immigrant is approved, they will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident Visa will be stamped in their passport. When the foreign worker and his or her family members enter Canada, they will need to show their COPR, Canadian visa (if required for citizens of their country) and other documents to the officials at the port of entry. The new immigrant will also need to pay a small fee to receive the plastic Permanent Resident Card which they will carry as identification.

Advantages of
Permanent Residency

Foreign workers and their families receive many advantages once they enter Canada as permanent residents through the Provincial Nominee Program. Below, are some of the advantages they get after they arrive in Canada:

Thus, the Provincial Nominee Program offers 11 different ways to immigrate to Canada, by getting nominated for a PNP and then applying for Canadian permanent residency to live and work long-term in this immigrant-friendly country.