In recent years, Canada has become a new home to more than 400,000 newcomers annually, all immigrating through different immigration programs. On this page, you will learn about Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which are often used for personal immigration and business immigration. Canada’s provincial nominee programs are tailored to address the unique economic and demographic needs of different regions, making them an attractive option for newcomers considering immigration to Canada.
Does securing a Canadian permanent residency sound appealing to you? Do you envisage turning over the page and moving to Canada to start the next chapter of your life? If yes, then this page is for you!
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP Canada) is an immigration system and a way to respond to Canada’s need for new and urgent immigration, which is not met by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Essentially, as the name suggests, PNP Canada is designed to give the provincial/territorial governments the discretion to invite immigrants depending on labour needs through local discretionary nominations. Under Canada’s PNP programs, applicants obtain permanent residency as a final outcome of their efforts.
There are 80 immigration PNP streams in Canada that seek to provide individuals with Canadian permanent residency. Some territories, such as Quebec and Nuvanut, have their own systems; for instance, Quebec has opted to determine its economic immigration selection process.
To put this into context, Canada comprises 10 provinces and 3 territories governed under the Canadian Constitution. Although the federal government is responsible for national immigration laws and regulations through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), provinces also enjoy some freedom regarding immigration through the Provincial Nominee Programs. It is referred to as concurrent jurisdiction over immigration matters.
The PNP Canada requirements can be divided into:
Eligibility Criteria: Each province and territory has its own set of criteria. These may include factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Certain PNP streams are specifically designed to attract and support international students, recognizing them as ideal candidates for immigration.
Application Process: The process generally involves two steps. First, you must apply to the PNP in the province or territory where you wish to settle. If you are nominated, you can then apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each province and territory in Canada operates its own PNP, targeting specific groups such as skilled workers, business people, and international graduates. The programs are regularly updated to reflect the changing needs of the labour market and to attract skilled international students studying in Canada.
Entrepreneurs can enjoy owning and growing a business in Canada through the Business Immigration PNPs. Typically, entrepreneurs need a financial business plan to develop their business and declare their net worth and the capital they are willing to put into the provincial economy. Usually, a net worth of CAD $250,000 will add points to the entrepreneur’s PNP, depending on the province they seek to relocate to. Most times, relevant work experience in managing a business from the same category plays a beneficial role in your application.
Although PNP programs are one of Canada’s most searched-for immigration pathways, they might not be the fastest or the best for you. We strongly suggest you consider the Intra-Company Transfer program, Entrepreneur Work Permit program, Canada’s Start-up visa program, or LMIA work permits when searching for a suitable immigration program.
Entrepreneurs will typically need to hold at least 33.33% shares in a business, and their investment in a province or territory will be set at a certain minimum, ranging from as low as CAD $125,000 to as much as CAD $3,000,000. Investment amounts may differ within provinces. For instance, the Vancouver and Abbotsford areas in the Province of British Columbia require that investors bring twice as much net worth and investments as they would to the other parts of the province. Exploratory visits are usually also recommended, with New Brunswick even setting a term of five business days to complete this activity.
Personal Immigration PNPs are available to skilled and semi-skilled workers with certain abilities, industry knowledge, and work experience within their industry to obtain permanent residence with the help of a Canadian province. Not every PNP scheme mandates that candidates have a job offer. However, nominees must meet certain education, linguistic proficiency (English and/or French), age, and medical fitness criteria. Individual nominees should be committed to obtaining permanent residence in their chosen province and will sign paperwork proving their intent to reside. Those invited to the province as nominees are usually also able to bring their spouses, dependents, and/or children.
Workers should pay all PNP and subsequently arising charges. The federal government has designated PNP dates when invitations to nominees are issued through the PNP draw. Following the latest PNP updates, accepted applications, nominations issued, and PNP draws is a good practice. It is important to be aware of the average processing times for different types of applications and not reach out for updates unless prompted.
You can apply for a PNP program by:
Applying to a PNP program directly – the province will review your application based on the selection criteria and the points system. If you are found to be a suitable candidate, the province will give you a nomination letter, which you can use to apply for PR;
OR
Applying through the Express Entry System, a federal program – your profile will be visible to all provinces and territories in this case. If selected, you will receive an invitation to apply for an Express Entry stream of that province’s or territory’s PNP.
Processing times for PNP applications can vary depending on application complexity, program type, and province. Factors such as applicant volume and changes in federal nomination availability can also impact these application processing times.
If you are successful for at least one year of your PNP application in either of the pathways, you will be granted 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. You will be able to use these points in your Express Entry application.
A preliminary piece of advice before making your final decision is, first, to give your very best in researching the labour market and employment in demand out of the province you intend to immigrate to. There is no point going for a certain role in a chosen province or territory if you cannot meet the PNP requirements, let alone if the region does not need people from your area of employment.
Bearing this in mind, you will then have to decide which province you will apply to in order to be nominated for PNP. You can familiarize yourself with the different streams in this page’s ‘List of Programs’ section below, where you can access each stream’s application guide and forms through the provided links.
PNP Canada costs are reflected in the provinces’ discretionary immigration powers, so prices vary. This section only refers to application fees paid to the government and associate expenses – it does not include investment costs or lawyer fees for business PNP streams.
There are several free-of-charge PNP programs, though provinces tend to provide PNPs for minimal fees ranging between $250 and $350. These fees apply to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program, the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
Medium-priced PNP programs include a $500 fee for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and Quebec schemes capped at $785, the latter of which may be supplemented by $168 each for the primary applicant’s spouse/partner and child to move to Canada. The most expensive PNPs include the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program ($1,150) and the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which can be topped at $2,000 and no less than $1,500.
Due to extra expenditures, PNP fees range between $2,300 and $3,800. Let us take Quebec as an example of additional fees:
Mandatory visa fees ($550 for the applicant and their spouse and $150 for dependents);
Right to Permanent Residence Fees ($490);
Language tests ($300);
Police verification fees ($100);
Medical examination payments ($450 for adults and $200 less for children); and
Government fees ($225 per child, jumping to $1,325 per adult).
In other words – it is advisable to have enough savings to cover the total costs, not just the PNP fees.
The PNP PR processing time depends on the applicants’ entry type and the province to which they have applied.
An Express Entry PNP applicant will receive priority in their application review, so their PNP Express Entry application will take about 5 to 6 months. This shorter average processing time contrasts with the 12 to 24 months for standard non-Express Entry applications, which always come second on the province’s list.
Quebec, a province with distinctive PNP eligibility requirements, previously processed PNP nominations in just 20 days, although it has instead elected to adopt the maximum 6-month processing model.
Understanding the average processing times for different types of applications is important to avoid unnecessary follow-ups. Express Entry applications generally take about 6 months, while paper-based applications associated with base PNPs can take up to 18 months.
This section provides a convenient summary of all PNP programs across Canadian provinces. They are divided into PNPs for individuals, businesses, and farm owners.
The two most popular PNP programs are the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP).
Ontario’s PNP is attractive because Ontario is home to four of Canada’s ten wealthiest cities, including the capital, Ottawa. Its streams include ‘Business,’ ‘Employer Job Offer,’ and ‘Human Capital,’ available to investors, healthcare professionals, students, Ph.D. graduates, and French speakers, among others.
BCPNP has three main streams: workers, entrepreneurs, and Express Entry candidates. Special PR and work permit options are offered to individuals in aviation (pilots) and technology sectors. Other provinces, like Alberta, offer specific PR pathways for recent graduates and international students and tech talent pathways.
Below are answers to common questions about Canada’s PNP.
Yes, obtaining a PNP is relatively straightforward. Unlike other immigration pathways managed exclusively by Canada’s federal government, the PNP enjoys local government support. Its popularity stems from the numerous streams, province-specific flexibility, and quicker processing times. However, for business immigration, federal immigration programs may offer quicker and more certain outcomes.
Likely yes, if you meet all requirements. Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program aims to attract skilled immigrants and retain them, effectively providing a fast track to permanent residency (PR).
Yes, you can apply for PNP from abroad by either directly contacting your chosen province or receiving a nomination from the province. Afterwards, you’ll create an Express Entry profile.
PNP is an immigration pathway for international students, entrepreneurs, and skilled or semi-skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Canada. After receiving or requesting a provincial nomination, you must follow the PNP application procedures through Express Entry or a paper-based application.
You will need to confirm PNP fees depending on the province, your category (worker or entrepreneur), and cover associated costs such as medical and language tests.
The preferred method is via Express Entry, reducing processing to about 6 months. Paper-based applications can take up to 2 years. However, with over 80 PNP streams across 13 provinces and territories, timelines vary; some streams, like British Columbia’s Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category, take only 2 to 3 months.
Express Entry provincial nomination provides 600 bonus Comprehensive Ranking System points, greatly enhancing your chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Known as enhanced nomination, this significantly boosts your immigration prospects.
Yes, you can apply for PNP nominations in two provinces or territories. However, choose carefully since each province requires you to sign a statement of intent or commitment, which legally binds you to your choice.
The Canadian government expects immigrants to commit to their nominated province. Moving elsewhere soon after obtaining PNP is undesirable and may result in refusal or revocation of PR due to misrepresentation. You might even face deportation or a 5-year entry ban.
Carefully consider your provincial choice, evaluating economic opportunities and personal fit. Ideally, settle in your preferred province initially; after some time and receiving PR, you can move to another province if necessary.
Generally, administrative guidelines do not stop your closest family members (spouse and dependents/children) from following in your footsteps and moving to Canada. However, bringing your extended family (parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces/nephews, cousins, aunts/uncles, etc.) to Canada may be a bit more difficult. Sometimes, only certain categories of workers can invite their families. For example, skilled workers can bring their families, unlike semi-skilled workers.
If you have any doubts about whether your family can come to Canada with you after you obtain a provincial nomination, it is always best to consult with an immigration lawyer.
“Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs are a mosaic of opportunity, each tailored to the unique economic landscape of its province. For the entrepreneur, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s about finding the perfect match between your business vision and a province’s specific needs. We guide you in navigating this diverse landscape to identify the program that best aligns with your goals, ensuring your business not only thrives but also paves a direct path to permanent residency in the Canadian community you’ll call home.” – Rakhmad Sobirov, Managing Lawyer
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