PNP – Provincial Nominee Program - Canada Immigration Express

PNP – Provincial Nominee Program

Provincial Nominee Program

Canada’s provinces and territories have their own local needs for skilled foreign workers, which is why the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was created. Nine provinces and two territories, in close cooperation with the national Canadian immigration agency, have developed their own programs to attract foreign workers who have the occupations and skills that are needed in their part of Canada. The first step is to apply to the PNP of a specific Canadian province or territory. If that province or territory issues a provincial nomination, the second step is to apply for permanent residency with the national Canadian immigration agency.

Canadian provinces and territories that participate in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) include: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory.

Please note that the mainly French-speaking province of Quebec does not participate in the PNP, so foreign workers who want to live and work in Quebec should apply instead for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) which has its own eligibility requirements and procedure.

Requirements

The different provinces and territories that participate in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have developed their own eligibility requirements. In general, the PNP criteria will usually include one or more of the following:

having work experience in a qualifying occupation that is in high-demand in the province/territory;
possessing the relevant post-secondary education/training for the high-demand occupation;
having a certain level of English or French language abilities;
applicants may need to be within a certain age range;
some PNPs have a points system for various factors and a minimum points score is required;
foreign workers must agree to live and work in the province/territory that nominated them;
having a “connection” to the province/territory may be necessary;
a provincial nomination is required before applying for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada;
foreign workers and their family members must have good health and good character;
supporting documents will be requested to show satisfaction of the Canadian immigration criteria.

Procedure

The procedure to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may differ, depending on the particular province or territory in Canada, but it generally involves two major steps:

1. Apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Foreign workers can apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) of a participating province or territory through the “traditional” Non-Express Entry Stream, either online or with a paper application sent in the mail; OR an Express Entry profile can be filed online. If the foreign worker receives a provincial nomination, he/she can move on to the second step.

2. Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency – Foreign workers who receive a provincial nomination and/or get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) via the Express Entry system can apply to the national Canadian immigration agency for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada. It is during this second major step of the Canadian immigration procedure that the foreign worker will submit the official application for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada with the visa application fee and all of the required documents, including the medical exam results, police certificate(s), proof of funds, etc. If approved for Canadian immigration, the applicant will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada will be stamped inside of his/her valid passport. When the new permanent resident is ready to immigrate to Canada, these documents will be requested by the authorities at the port of entry.

Permanent Residency Advantages

Foreign workers and their accompanying family members who immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can enjoy many advantages. For example, Canadian permanent residents can live in Canada for an unlimited amount of time. They also have access to Canada’s world-class educational programs, which can provide them with excellent career opportunities. Canadian permanent residents are allowed to work in Canada legally and they have the option to start a business and/or own property. They are also entitled to free public healthcare and can apply for a driver’s license in the province or territory where they live in Canada. Furthermore, permanent residents who meet the criteria can sponsor certain family members for a Canadian visa. Additionally, they have the freedom to travel to and from Canada and have the opportunity to enjoy the peacefulness, prosperity, scenery and high-quality of life this amazing country is famous for. After they live in Canada for three years and satisfy other criteria, permanent residents can apply for Canadian citizenship and get a passport (which can open the door to travel around the world).

If you would like learn more about your options to immigrate to Canada, click here!

DISCLAIMER: This information is not and shall not be considered as expert or professional advice.