How Does the Canada Provincial Nominee Program Work?

The Provincial Nominee Program works in two stages.

First, you will have to apply to the specific province for your provincial nomination under the program. You will need to create a detailed business plan which explains the type of business you intend to purchase or establish and includes financial projections demonstrating how your purchase or creation of this business will benefit the local economy and the overall labour market. You will also need to verify your eligibility with the specific province, followed by submitting a PNP application.

Many PNPs may require a performance agreement that may impose various performance commitments, key investment and job creation commitments, and timeframes to be met before the province will nominate the non-resident. The process of demonstrating performance under this agreement could take up to two years or even longer in some cases.

Second, after demonstrating performance under the Performance Agreement, you will await notification of the province’s decision whether to nominate you. If you have been successfully nominated, you will then submit your permanent residence application to the Canadian government, undergo a medical exam, and submit a background check.

What Are the Various Provincial Nominee Programs?

Alberta

Alberta accepts Express Entry candidates as well as non-Express Entry candidates for Alberta’s PNP, including various foreign workers, businesspeople, and recent graduates.

British Columbia

British Columbia’s PNP focuses on accepting candidates eligible for Canada’s Express Entry immigration route.

Manitoba

Manitoba recently revised eligibility criteria, application requirements, and other aspects of its program.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s PNP also focuses on accepting Express Entry-linked candidates while still offering opportunities for other foreign skilled workers who may already have job offers.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador focuses on Express Entry-linked candidates, recent graduates, and skilled workers.

Northwest Territories

Express Entry-linked candidates have a dedicated stream under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program, but the territory also accepts applications from those with existing job offers.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia continues to focus its PNP on foreign graduates and entrepreneurs who will be eligible for the federal Express Entry program.

Ontario

Ontario’s PNP is one of the most dynamic and varied of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, working with non-resident graduates, entrepreneurs, and foreign-skilled workers.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island’s PNP focuses on accepting Express Entry-linked skilled foreign workers, recent graduates, business investors, and entrepreneurs.

Quebec

While Quebec does not offer a PNP, it does operate its own Skilled Worker Program that functions similarly to PNP. This province also has an Immigrant Investor Program, which will be relaunched in January 2024.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s PNP focuses on Express Entry-linked candidates as well as foreign workers in occupations considered to be in demand by Saskatchewan.

Yukon

The Yukon PNP also places an emphasis on Express Entry-linked candidates and other skilled foreign workers and business people who will contribute to the territory’s economy.

How Can You Prepare for The PNP process?

The most important step to preparing for the PNP process in Canada will be to speak with an immigration lawyer who can help you understand your options, the various eligibility requirements in each province, and whether you should apply under the Express Entry route or the non-Express Entry route. Working with a team like Sobirovs Law Firm can be crucial in ensuring your application does not contain mistakes and meets any provincial or federal requirements for the PNP so you can move forward with your business immigration goals.