For people who want to immigrate to a particular Canadian province or territory, the provincial nominee programs (PNPs) offer a route to permanent residence in Canada.
Every province and territory in Canada has its own PNP tailored to its economic and demographic requirements.
Successful candidates receive a provincial nomination, which they can use to submit a permanent residency application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry
Most provinces and territories have selection systems integrated with the federal Express Entry system, making it possible to submit "enhanced" nominations that grant candidates 600 more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
The single most important component in the CRS is a provincial nomination, which essentially ensures that the candidate will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a subsequent draw from the pool.
Express Entry candidates are given a CRS, which is a score out of 1,200 that determines who will receive an ITA for permanent residency. These 600 additional points would almost always ensure that the applicant would get an ITA in the Express Entry draw rounds.
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying to a Canadian PNP::
- Search for the PNP that is ideal for you: To choose where you want to move, check out the list of provinces and territories at the top of this page. Check each PNP's standards to see if you qualify by doing so.
- To apply to your preferred PNP: Directly submit an application to the province or territory of your choice.
- Obtain a provincial nomination certificate: The province or territory will designate you to apply for Canadian permanent residence if your application is accepted.
- Submit a permanent resident application: Submit an application for permanent residence to the Canadian government. You can complete this online if your preferred PNP is compatible with Express Entry. If not, you'll need to fill out a paper application.