According to the Immigration Levels Plan of 2023-2025, Canada is expected to invite over 333,000 individuals through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The number of immigrants favoring to immigrate to Canada via a PNP is growing day by day. To put it simply, the Canada Provincial Nominee Program is one of the favorite economic immigration pathways in Canada.
Each province and territory has its own nominee program, which is used to invite candidates based on several criteria. Hence, the eligibility criteria differ according to the place you are immigrating to as well.
In this page, you will find information about what is Canada PNP, who is eligible for it, and other information regarding it.
Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program of Canada is a separate program for each province and territory. It basically permits the provinces and territories to select and nominate candidates based on the labor market needs and other factors. A province or territory will choose candidates and then send them invitations to apply for permanent residence.
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According to the 2023-2025 Canada Immigration Levels Plan, the Provincial Nominee Program has received around 105,500 allocations to invite candidates in 2023.
In easy terms, these allocations mean all the provinces and territories of Canada (except Quebec) can invite around 105,500 new permanent residents in Canada.
For 2024 and 2025, Canada plans on giving out permanent residency to around 110,000 and 117,500 people respectively. Below, we’ll check out who is eligible for Canada PNP.
Am I eligible to apply for PNP?
The basic eligibility requirement for PNP is that:
- you must contribute to the growth of the local economy.
- have skills, education, language proficiency skills, and work experience in relevant fields
Since there’s a separate provincial nominee program for each province and territory, it is understandable that the eligibility criteria differ according to each province and territory.
So, whether you are eligible for the PNP or not depends on which province/territory you are applying for. For instance, if you are applying for BC PNP, your occupation may be the main determining factor in deciding whether you will get an invitation or not. If you are applying for Alberta’s PNP, then the CRS score could play a huge role as the province mostly invites candidates who have higher scores.
How PNP works
The Provincial Nominee Program allows workers:
- who have the required skills, work experience, and education that the province needs. These workers will contribute to the economy of the province/territory.
- have the intention to live there and need to show a willingness to become a Canada PR.
Steps to apply for PNP (via Express Entry)
- Create an Express Entry Profile
- Get a Nomination
- Get an ITA to apply for PR
- Fill the Application
Step 1 – Create an Express Entry Profile
First of all, you need to create an IRCC account and then create an Express Entry profile. If your profile is approved, it will be put in the Express Entry pool along with other eligible profiles.
Step 2 – Get a Nomination
There are two ways to get a nomination under the Express Entry stream of the province/territory:
- You apply to the province/territory directly
Or
- The province/territory finds contacts on your profile
If you are applying directly to the province:
- Whichever province or territory you are interested in, check out its website and see if you are eligible for its PNP Express Entry stream.
- Submit an application if you qualify for it.
- Once the province agrees to nominate you, update your Express Entry profile to show the nomination.
- Once you show the province that you are interested, you must contact them directly and provide them your- Express Entry profile number, Job Seeker Validation Code
- After this, the province will confirm your nomination with IRCC.
- Now, accept this nomination which is in your IRCC account.
If the province/territory finds your profile and contacts you:
- The province/territory finds your profile in the Express Entry pool.
- It will send you a “notification of interest” letter. This letter in your IRCC account does not mean that you have been nominated, it only means that you should contact the province/territory for further information.
- Apply to its PNP Express Entry stream by contacting the province/territory directly.
- In case the province/territory accepts your interest, they will send you a nomination.
Step 3 – Get an ITA to apply for PR
So you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to apply for permanent residence (PR)? If you want to apply for PR via Express Entry then you need an ITA first. How will you know if you have an ITA? You will receive a message in your IRCC account if you get an ITA.
If you receive a nomination, you will receive an additional 600 points which will help you get an ITA.
Now, you have around 60 days to complete your application and then submit it online.
Step 4 – Fill the Application
After receiving an ITA to apply for PR, you need to then fill out an online application, and upload the needed documents. Then, pay the application fee too.
Now, you are done with applying for the PNP via Express Entry!
The thing about a PNP is that it is related to a particular province or territory and not directly related to the federal government. But we know that the final say in matters regarding immigration is up to the federal government of Canada. So, applying through the Provincial Nominee Program is a two-part process.
In the first part of the process, you submit an application stating your intention to reside in that province. If you receive an invitation from the province, you then have to submit a separate application for permanent residence to the federal government. So, you see it’s a lengthy process but that in no way means it is difficult.
Does PNP immigrants find good jobs in Canada?
Yes, immigrants who immigrate to Canada via the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can find good jobs. They have strong labor outcomes and hence are able to find suitable jobs quickly.
Do you need a job offer to get a provincial nomination?
No, not all PNPs require the candidate to have a job offer to nominate them.
Which PNP is the easiest to apply?
Depending on your skills, education, and work experience, you can find the most suitable PNP for yourself.
If I receive a nomination, can I take my family with me to Canada?
Yes, you can take your close or dependent family members with you to Canada. They can also get permanent residency in Canada.
Do you need to take a language test for PNP?
Yes, you do. If you are immigrating to Canada, through whichever program, you need to take a language proficiency test to show that you have the right language skills.
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