The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was designed to enable provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to support the immigration of people who have expressed an interest in settling in that province or territory. Selection is based on a province or territory’s assessment of the ability of nominees to contribute to its economic growth and development. The candidate must intend to live in the province of interest. Each province and territory has its own stream with accompanying requirements which are subject to amendments. Provinces generally invite graduates, skilled and unskilled workers, and entrepreneurs. The criteria for the various nominations can be viewed by visiting the province's official websites:

 

• Alberta.

• British Columbia.

• Manitoba.

• New Brunswick.

• Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Northwest Territories.

• Nova Scotia.

• Ontario.

• Prince Edward Island.

• Saskatchewan.

• Yukon.

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Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), on the other hand, is responsible for assessing the client’s eligibility for the provincial nominee class, their admissibility, and making a final determination on the application for permanent residence. The application can be submitted as a paper-based application or via Express Entry.

 

Paper-based Application  

The applicant may submit an application for permanent residence once a nomination approval letter is received; it is important to apply while the nomination is still valid. Most nominees in NOCs C and D must meet the language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in each of the 4 abilities (listening, speaking, reading and writing) before obtaining a provincial nomination certificate. IRCC must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability to become established in Canada and intends to reside in the province or territory that issued the nomination. Additionally, the applicant must be able to show that they will be able to support themselves, and any dependents in Canada without recourse to social assistance.

 

Express Entry Application

An applicant can apply for permanent residence electronically through the Express Entry Program. It involves receiving a nomination from a province or territory or have the same confirmed electronically. In both cases, an applicant is awarded 600 points to assist in getting an invitation to apply for permanent residence under one of the three federal economic classes; they must also be able to show that they meet the requirements for the class under which they intend to apply. For more information on Express Entry requirements, please see Express Entry Program.