Processing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications: Other situations

Only the principal applicant must be named in the nomination (R87(2)(a)). If the applicant’s family composition changes during processing, the applicant must inform IRCC, but there is no need for a new or amended nomination. For more information, see OP2, section 7.7: adding a family member during processing.

Changing immigration category

An applicant who has applied in another category, and who is subsequently nominated by a province, must submit a new application as a provincial nominee. In such a case, the following applies:

• If the initial application has not been placed into processing, the processing fee can be credited toward the new provincial nominee application instead of being refunded
• If the initial application has been placed into processing, no refund is possible
• If the applicant does not wish to withdraw the initial application, processing on both applications may continue but only one permanent resident visa can be issued to an applicant. Before the processing of an application can be finalized, any other permanent residence applications in process submitted by the same applicant must be withdrawn.

Temporary resident visas and work permits

Applicants sometimes apply for temporary resident visas (TRV) to make exploratory trips to Canada. Some provinces and territories require prospective applicants in certain categories to make such a visit before nomination can occur. Individuals applying for TRVs for such purposes are subject to the same requirements as persons travelling for other purposes.

Some provinces or territories require that a potential nominee under a business stream enter first on a temporary work permit to determine whether the person can establish a business and economically establish before they will issue a nomination certificate. Officers should apply the dual-intent provisions in such cases. Officers must carefully consider all the information available to them and make a reasonable decision as to whether to issue a TRV or a work permit (WP).

See Temporary Foreign Workers: Provincial nominees or Permanent Resident applicants for more information on issuance of work permits to provincial nominees, including:

• T13 LMIA exempt WP under federal-provincial or territorial agreements (R204(c))
• C11 LMIA exempt WP for entrepreneurs/self-employed candidates (R205(a))
• Bridging open work permits for permanent residence applicants
• Spouses of provincial nominee work permit holders