Canada’s constitution allows the federal government as well as the provinces and territories to handle the immigration system of the country. For the same, Canadian provinces and territories have their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to nominate interested candidates to immigrate and settle in a particular province/territory. Here, the only exception is the province of Quebec and the northern territory of Nunavut.
Before the launch of PNP, immigrants used to settle mostly in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. Intending to spread immigration benefits all across Canada, the Canadian government came up with PNP. After the launch of PNP, it has been seen that there is a better distribution of immigration across provinces that were earlier ignored like Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and all.
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program was launched in the year 1998. And it’s the 2nd leading way to immigrate to Canada opted by skilled workers. The Provincial Nominee Programs put forward an alternative route to get Canada’s permanent residence in front of individuals who want to immigrate to a specific province or territory of Canada. Each province and territory of Canada manages its own Provincial Nominee Program developed to fulfill the province’s economic and demographic needs.
Keep on reading to know more about PNPs below.
What is the Provincial Nominee Program of Canada?
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The government of Canada made a pact with major local provinces wherein immigrants can be nominated who want to stay, settle, and work in that specific province or primarily wish to immigrate to Canada. Provincial Immigration not only boosts the local economy and development in primary sectors but also supports the aging population of Canada.
Almost every province has its own PNP to welcome foreign skilled workers to strengthen its economy. Canada has 13 provinces and territories and they handle their PNP programs with several streams. There are 80 plus provincial nominee programs in Canada that enable participating provinces and territories to welcome eligible immigrants for permanent residence in Canada.
To get a visa through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), applicants have to select a province in which they want to reside and later apply for the nomination process. Then, the province will consider applications based on its labor and immigration needs. Also, the province will assess the candidate’s genuine intention to stay there.
Almost every province has its own PNP to welcome foreign skilled workers to strengthen its economy. Canada has 13 provinces and territories and they handle their PNP programs with several streams. There are 80 plus provincial nominee programs in Canada that enable participating provinces and territories to welcome eligible immigrants for permanent residence in Canada.
To get a visa through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), applicants have to select a province in which they want to reside and later apply for the nomination process. Then, the province will consider applications based on its labor and immigration needs. Also, the province will assess the candidate’s genuine intention to stay there.
11 Provincial Nomination Programs of Canada
- Alberta’s Immigrant Nominee Program
- British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program
- Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program
- New Brunswick’s Provincial Nominee Program
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s Nominee Program
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program
- Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program
- Ontario’s Immigrants Nominee Program
- Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program
- Saskatchewan’s Immigrants Program
- Yukon’s Nominee Program
Note:- Quebec doesn’t have a Provincial Nominee Program. It has its own selection criteria for handling immigration. Check it here.
11 Provincial Nomination Programs of Canada
- Skilled Worker PNPThis program expedites immigration processing of skilled workers who have an employment letter from a local provincial business in a sector/occupation that fulfills the local provincial needs.
- Business Immigration ProgramOn the other hand, if the candidate enters into a joint venture with a local provincial business, sets up a new business, or invests money, he can go for this program.
How do the Provincial Nominee Programs work?
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To get permanent residence via a Provincial Nominee Program, applicants have two options to choose from-
- Direct Application process
- Express Entry Application process
Let’s have a look at both the processes one by one-
Direct Application Process
Here applicants apply to a Provincial Nominee Programsdirectly to the respective province or territory. This means you need to submit a paper-based application through courier or mail. Compared to the Express Entry process, this is time-consuming and takes almost 15 to 19 months in total to know whether your application is accepted or rejected.
Express Entry Application Process
Since its introduction in 2015, the Express Entry process is considered a better route to get the provincial nomination. The reasons are simple-
- Nominations through Express Entry are awarded up to 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points; and
- Immigration through Express Entry is faster and gets completed within 6 to 8 months.
- Direct Apply via a Provincial Nominee Express Entry Stream– As every province has an Express Entry stream beside the in-demand occupations list.
- Expression of Interest– Applicants can express their interest in any province or territory while creating their Express Entry profiles. This way a province or territory can choose and send a provincial nomination to qualified candidates who possess the required skill set.
What are the requirements for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs?
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Each province and territory has its own requirements. All the provinces and territories want to nominate those candidates who have work experience to meet their labor market needs. Therefore, the application procedure varies significantly between provinces.
Primarily education, language proficiency, work experience, skillset are taken into consideration before nominating a candidate. Also to qualify, candidates must show that they can contribute to the local economy, help in the growth process, and intend to live in the province/territory.
All those who are interested in PNP are recommended to consult the province to know the exact eligibility requirements or consult a Regulated Immigration Consultant. We strongly recommend Shariq Immigration Services for the expertise he has in Canadian Immigration.
Primarily education, language proficiency, work experience, skillset are taken into consideration before nominating a candidate. Also to qualify, candidates must show that they can contribute to the local economy, help in the growth process, and intend to live in the province/territory.
All those who are interested in PNP are recommended to consult the province to know the exact eligibility requirements or consult a Regulated Immigration Consultant. We strongly recommend Shariq Immigration Services for the expertise he has in Canadian Immigration.
What is the processing time for Provincial Nominee Program applications?
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Getting permanent residence through Provincial Nominee Programs is a two-step process. All the selected applicants are nominated by the provinces to submit their applications for permanent residence to the Canadian federal government.
In short, obtaining a provincial nomination is the first step in the two-step process. First, a candidate is accepted at the provincial level, and later on, he/she needs to apply to the federal government. Therefore the processing time for PNP applications varies from one province to another. It generally takes 6 to 8 months for the whole process (through Express Entry Process). However, it can be longer based on individual cases.
In short, obtaining a provincial nomination is the first step in the two-step process. First, a candidate is accepted at the provincial level, and later on, he/she needs to apply to the federal government. Therefore the processing time for PNP applications varies from one province to another. It generally takes 6 to 8 months for the whole process (through Express Entry Process). However, it can be longer based on individual cases.
