Provincial Nomination Programmes (PNP)
Canada has 10 Provinces and 3 Territories. Each province and territory has their own provincial migration program designed to fill their labour and settlement needs. This allows for the Canadian provinces to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to their province and contribute to its social and economic development.
It is important to note that every province has its own eligibility criteria which decides whether the candidate should get the PR status or not. The eligibility for PNP is based on a variety of factors such as age, work experience, occupation, education, language proficiency, connections in the province etc.
We will take a brief look at some of the popular PNP programs in Canada:
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
Situated in western Canada, Alberta is most populous of the “three prairie provinces” and has the nation’s fastest growing economies. It is home to several national parks and the more lively cities of Calgary and Edmonton.
Through AINP, prospective immigrants with the right blend of skills and work experience needed by the province may receive an Alberta Provincial Nomination Certificate, which can help speed up the overall immigration process.
The AINP consists of the following immigration streams:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream
British Columbia Immigrant Nominee Program (BC PNP)
The westernmost province of Canada and home to Vancouver, British Columbia is the centre of cultural diversity and economic advancement.
Through BC PNP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a British Columbia Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The BC PNP accepts applications under two main immigration streams:
- Skills Immigration (including Express Entry British Columbia)
- Entrepreneur Immigration
These streams are further divided into sub categories.
Manitoba Immigrant Nominee Program (MPNP)
Hailed as the gateway to western Canada, Manitoba is located between Ontario and Saskatchewan. It has abundant natural resources and an Agri based culture making it a major contributor to Canada’s economy.
Through MPNP, prospective immigrants with skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate, which speeds up the overall immigration process.
The following are some of the popular MPNP streams:
- Skilled Worker Immigration Stream - including those in Manitoba and Overseas
- Manitoba Entrepreneur Stream
- Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative - through the MPNP
- International Education Stream
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
Due to an ever expanding immigrant population, Saskatchewan, the prairie province boasts both a rapidly growing population and an equally competitive economy.
Through SINP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Saskatchewan Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
The SINP accepts applications under the following categories:
- International Skilled Worker Category
- Saskatchewan Experience Category
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Home to a number of Canadians, Ontario houses Toronto and is a mass favourite effectively being the country’s most populous province. Ontario hosts, Ottawa, its largest city and the capital of the country.
Through OINP prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive an Ontario Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
The OINP accepts applications broadly under the following immigration categories:
- Ontario Express Entry
- Employer Job Offer Category
- International Student Category
- Business Category
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
Canada’s north-eastern maritime province, New Brunswick is officially the country’s only bilingual province.
Through NBPNP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a New Brunswick provincial nomination certificate. With this nomination, foreign nationals may then apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The NBPNP accepts applications under the following immigration categories:
- Express Entry Labour Market Stream
- Skilled Workers with Employer Support
- Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
- Entrepreneurial Stream
- Skilled Workers with Family Support
- Succession Connect Pilot program
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
This maritime province is comprised of the Nova Scotia peninsula, Cape Breton Island, and over 3,000 smaller islands. Halifax the capital city is a major hub cultural hub.
Through NSNP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate, which speeds up the overall immigration process.
The NSNP accepts applications under the following immigration streams:
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Physician Stream
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
The relatively unknown easternmost province consists of two distinct land masses: Labrador, which is connected to the mainland, and the island of Newfoundland. It has recently evolved into a significant economic force in the Canadian landscape due to flourishing energy and natural resources.
Through the NPLP prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
The NLPNP accepts applications under the following immigration categories:
- Newfoundland & Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker
- Skilled Worker Category
- International Graduate Category
- International Entrepreneur Category
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
Canada’s smallest province, it consists of the island itself and several surrounding isles. It is famous for its amazingly beautiful coasts and lush farmlands.
Through PEIPNP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
The PEI PNP accepts applications under three major immigration categories:
- PEI PNP Express Entry
- Labour Impact Category
- Business Impact Category
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
Home to approx. 30,000 people today, Yukon the far northwest province of Canada has a legendary place in the country’s history, mostly for the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s.
Through YNP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the territory may receive a Yukon Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The YNP consists of the following programs:
- Yukon Express Entry (YEE)
- Skilled Worker
- Critical Impact Worker
- Business Nominee
North West Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
The Northwest Territories (NWT) is the name given to one single expansive territory situated between Yukon and Nunavut. Yellowknife, the capital city is both a major industrial hub for workers in the region and a scenic town with abundant recreational opportunities. Vast acres of forests, geological resources, including gold, diamonds, natural gas, and petroleum make up this province.
Through NTNP, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Northwest Territories Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
The NTNP accepts applications under two immigration programs, each with their own set of stream:
- Northwest Territories Express Entry
- Employer Driven Program
- Business Driven Program
Quebec Immigration – Skilled Immigration Program
This selection system for Quebec Skilled Workers is designed to identify immigration candidates who are most likely to become economically established in the province. The applicants who intend to reside in Montreal or in another city or region within the province of Quebec are assessed under a different system than applicants who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada.
Skilled Workers or international graduates in Quebec may apply to immigrate to Quebec under what is referred as the 'Regular Skilled Worker Program', also known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), or the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
- Quebec's Expression of Interest System
- Quebec's Arrima portal
- Mon Projet Québec
Applicants who are successful under the QSWP are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and can then apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will conduct a medical and criminal background check as part of its approval process. In order to qualify for a CSQ, you must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection factors described below. An unmarried(single) applicant must score at least 50 points based on this system, while an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must score at least 59 points.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)The PEQ is another immigration pathway available to eligible international graduates with a Quebec diploma and individuals with at least 12 months skilled work experience in the past 24 months. Applicants to the PEQ are required to have an advanced intermediate knowledge of spoken French.
Quebec Business Immigration (QBIP)The Quebec Business Immigration programs are available to individuals with the required entrepreneurial, investor, or self-employed experience who wish to settle in the province of Quebec.
All applicants under the these programs must show that they are capable of becoming economically established in Canada and have the intention of settling in the province of Quebec following acceptance. Successful applicants will receive a CSQ and will then have to meet the Government of Canada requirements before being approved for permanent residence.
There are three Quebec Business Immigration programs, each with its own requirements and selection process:
- Quebec Investment Programs
- Quebec Entrepreneur Program
- Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program