The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. Each Canadian province and territory (except Nunavut and Quebec) has its own unique Provincial Nominee Program.

Each PNP has at least one immigration stream that is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are a key part of Canada’s immigration policy, with more than 200,000 people expected to obtain Canadian permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program between 2019 and 2021.

Provincial Nominee Programs are the fastest-growing economic Canadian immigration pathway. Over recent years, the federal government has gradually increased provinces’ annual allocations for their respective PNPs, showing the increasing importance of these programs within the overall Canadian immigration landscape. 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. Under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), an employer has the liberty to nominate a limited number of candidates for certain skilled positions and further make an application to a participating state for sponsorship of the work permit for Canada.

For Provincial Nominee Program you might need to apply using the paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry. In the paper-based 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. Once you have been nominated, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. You have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada. Application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.