Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) allow Canadian provinces or territories to nominate the applicants wanting to come to Canada, an approved PNP will help in getting a permanent resident visa.

Firstly, almost all provinces and territories have their PNP process. However, the eligibility criteria varies from province to province. PNPs attempt to find an applicant who will contribute to the economy and will settle in the province. For instance, here are few key points that are used by provinces to assess the suitability of an applicant for a PNP.

Age
Education Level
Language Scores
Work Experience and NOC

Past study in that province
Past work experience in that province
Family, friends or relatives in that province
Assets and net worth for investment (if applicable)

PNPs are not for all. These programs targets a specific group of applicants to fulfil provincial or territorial labour market shortage.

Most importantly, it is best to explore the provincial or territorial websites to find all the information upfront. Since, there are specific rules for a specific PNP program. Further, these rules change very often. Additionally, few provinces have maximum intake cap which fill very fast. Explore the PNP programs of the the province you are interested in and assess for your eligibility. You can explore province specific immigration options by clicking at the province name below. Currently, Nunavut does not have a PNP.

Next Steps after PNP Nomination

Getting the approved PNP is a major success. However, it’s not over yet. You will need to complete the federal processing next. This could be online submission through Express Entry route or paper application in some cases.

Update EE Profile

Update your Express Entry (EE) profile allowing IRCC to recalculate your CRS score with PNP nomination and wait for the Draw. This should add 600 points to your CRS score.

Receive ITA

IRCC issues invitation to apply (ITA) based on the CRS score. You accept the invite and gather all the key information and documents to support your eligibility and admissibility.

Submit PR Application

Complete all questions and submit the documents according to your personalized checklist. The processing with IRCC generally follows the Express Entry route.