Processing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications received through the non-Express Entry application process

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

From September 17, 2020 to November 17, 2020, provincial and territorial jurisdictions will be able to request that non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications be placed on hold in cases where an applicant has experienced a job loss in Canada as a result of the pandemic, or has applied through a business, entrepreneur or self-employed stream, and their application was received prior to March 18, 2020. The processing of these applications will be put on hold until March 17, 2021, until the province or territory confirms that it continues to support the nomination, or until a new job offer is received along with a new confirmation from the province or territory, whichever comes first.

Learn more

This section describes how to process applications for permanent residence submitted by applicants in the PNP through the non-Express Entry application process for “base nominations”.

As of January 1, 2015, provinces can nominate candidates through this process or through Express Entry.

Canada has entered into bilateral agreements with provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to allow them to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on the provinces' assessment of the nominees' ability to contribute to the economic growth and development of those provinces.

Provinces and territories have the authority and responsibility to establish their own criteria for nomination, as long as the criteria are not incompatible with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, national immigration policy, and the Federal-Provincial/Territorial bilateral agreements, while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is responsible for the following in relation to base nominations:

  • assessing the applicant’s eligibility for the Provincial Nominee class;
  • assessing their admissibility under IRPA and IRPR;
  • making a final decision on their application for permanent residence.

Intake

Processing

Page details

Date modified: