How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) works

This program is for workers who

• have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
• want to live in that province and
• want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territory^{Footnote *} has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target

• students
• business people
• skilled workers
• semi-skilled workers

Understand the application options

How you will apply depends on which Provincial Nominee Program stream you’re applying to. You might need to apply using the non-Express Entry process, or through Express Entry.

As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.

Non-Express Entry process

In the non-Express Entry process:

• you apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.
• you need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.
• if you’re nominated, you apply for permanent residence online
• you have to get a
  • medical exam and
  • police check (certificate)
• application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.

How to apply through the non-Express Entry process

Express Entry process

In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:

• You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.

• If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.

  or

• You create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.
• If a province or territory sends a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly.
• You apply to their Express Entry stream.
  • If you’re nominated, the province or territory will send a nomination certificate to your account, and you accept it electronically.

In both cases, you must

• meet the eligibility requirements of the province or territory and
• submit an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for one of the immigration programs it covers.
  • If you are invited to apply, you submit an electronic application to IRCC.

How to apply through Express Entry

Choose a province or territory

To be nominated by a province or territory,^{Footnote *} you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

The criteria by province and territory vary and can change without notice.