Application package – Provincial nominees

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics and how the new application process works.

Image that represents the different stages of the application process and biometrics.

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

1. Apply for permanent residence

If you want to apply for permanent residence in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.

2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit. Even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.

You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.
Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.

Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.

3. We process your application

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.

4. We make a decision on your application

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes documents like your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), permanent resident visa (if you’re from a country that needs a visa), or eTA (electronically linked to your passport) if you’re from a visa-exempt country or your single entry journey document if you don’t have a travel document.

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.

6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.

7. You’re allowed to enter Canada

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

Get help to open an application form or to fill one out in the Help Centre.

New: If your nomination is through an Express Entry stream, you must apply through the online system. This application package is only for people applying to the Provincial Nominee Class through the paper-based (non-Express Entry) process. Find out about how to apply through Express Entry.

Find out if you are eligible to apply as an Express Entry candidate.

This application includes:

To apply under the Provincial Nominee Class, you must:

have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory, and
apply for permanent residence.

How to use this application package

Use the instruction guide to fill out your application forms.

Use the Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]. You can fill it out and save it using a computer. You will need Adobe Reader 10 or higher, and you must turn on JavaScript.
It is easier to fill out the form using a computer than to fill it out by hand. It reduces the risk of mistakes that can slow down the application process.
Trouble downloading? Right-click the link and choose “Save Target As…”

Fill out, validate, print, sign and date your application forms.

To make sure you submit all the pages, follow these steps:
IMM 0008 form:

Click the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form. (Note: Validating the form before printing makes sure that you have answered all the questions. This will help you to avoid delays in processing your application.)
One or more final page(s) with barcodes and a signature line will automatically be created.
Print, sign and date the form.

For best results:
- print on white, high-quality and non-glossy paper, and
- use a laser printer.
Place the IMM 0008 form, including the barcode page(s), on the top of your application package.

Find out more about the barcode form.

Other forms: Use the Document Checklist (PDF, 395.04KB) to make sure that you include all the other forms and documents you need. Do not send documents that are not on the checklist.

Pay the fees online.

Visit the Pay your fees page to learn about accepted methods of payment.

Mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The CIO will check to see if your application is complete. If it is, the CIO will send it to the office serving your region to be processed. That office will contact you if it needs other documents from you when it starts processing your application.