Provincial Nominee Programs - All Time Immigration

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams are a key part of Canada’s immigration policy. Over recent years, the federal government has gradually increased provinces’ annual allocations for their respective PNPs, showing the increasing importance of these programs within the overall Canadian immigration landscape.

Am I eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program?

Under Provincial Nominee Programs, provinces and territories in Canada can nominate individuals and families who wish to settle in their province or territory based on criteria set by the province.

Each province and territory determines their own eligibility criteria for Provincial Nominee Programs. For example, one province might prioritize bringing in provincial nominees with experience in a certain occupation, while another province might prioritize bringing in provincial nominees with French-language experience. It depends on the needs of each specific province and territory.

To become a provincial nominee, applicants must show that they meet the set criteria. This will show that the applicant has the skills, education, and work experience to be able to make a positive contribution to the local economy and society. The province or territory will consider the application based on the needs of the specific province, as well as the applicant’s genuine intention to settle there.

How do I apply for a Provincial Nominee Program?

Canadian provinces and territories are permitted to nominate individuals under different streams. The nomination of an individual depends upon skills, education, experience, job offer, etc. including the requirements of that province. After nomination from the province, the individual may apply for the federal government for permanent residence.

There are two types of Provincial Nominee Programs:

1) Under this program, the candidate should have an express entry profile in Canada Express Entry Pool. If the individual gets nominated from the province, he will get additional 600 CRS points which will increase the chances of receiving the invitation to apply.

2) Under this program, the candidate has to meet eligibility criteria under PNP streams and once the candidate is nominated, he can fill permanent residence applications.

What Provincial Nominee Programs are available in Canada?

The below is list of programs offered by different provinces.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
Nova Scotia Nominee Program
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Note that Quebec does not have a Provincial Nominee Program, though it does operate its own Skilled Worker Program.

Processing Times for Provincial Nominee Programs

Processing times for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs largely depend on whether or not the application has been submitted under an Express Entry-linked PNP stream, or one of the other streams not linked with Express Entry.

Applicants should expect a processing period for the initial application to the province, plus an additional processing period for the final application to the federal government for permanent residence.

Most provinces have brought their processing times down to a few months, or even weeks. For Express Entry-linked applications, the federal processing time remains for most applications is six months. Non-Express Entry linked applications, also called paper-based applications, usually take between 1-2 years to process at the federal stage.