Provincial Immigration

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program gives participating provinces and territories a role in selecting people who can contribute to their economies and intend to settle there. A nomination can lead to permanent residence, but the federal government makes the final decision.

01 What Is the Provincial Nominee Program?

The PNP is an economic immigration program delivered by the federal government in partnership with participating provinces and territories. Each participating government creates streams for candidates who can address its labour-market and economic priorities, such as skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs or people with local connections.

A province or territory decides whether to issue a nomination. You must then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. IRCC assesses admissibility and makes the final decision.

A nomination is tied to your genuine intention to live in the nominating province or territory. It is not a way to choose one jurisdiction while planning to settle in another.

02 Where Can You Be Nominated?

Most provinces and two territories operate nominee programs. Explore the participating jurisdictions below; each sets its own streams, criteria, application periods and nomination allocation.

Western Canada

Provincial nominee programs operate in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Central and Atlantic Canada

Provincial nominee programs operate in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Northern territories

The Northwest Territories and Yukon operate nominee programs. Quebec and Nunavut do not participate in the PNP and have different immigration arrangements or pathways.

03 Express Entry and Non-Express Entry Pathways

The route you use depends on the stream selected by the province or territory.

Express Entry-aligned nomination

You must qualify for a provincial or territorial Express Entry stream and for at least one federal program managed through Express Entry. Once an electronic nomination is confirmed and accepted, you receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points, which substantially improves the prospect of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Non-Express Entry nomination

You first apply to a province or territory under a non-Express Entry stream. If nominated, you submit a separate permanent residence application to IRCC through the designated online process. You must continue to meet the nomination conditions while the federal application is assessed.

A nomination does not itself grant permanent residence and does not guarantee federal approval.

04 Who Can Apply?

There is no single eligibility test for every PNP stream. You must meet the current requirements of the specific provincial or territorial stream and, for an Express Entry pathway, remain eligible for an Express Entry-managed federal program.

Depending on the stream, the assessment may consider:

your occupation, work experience and language ability
your education or previous study in the province or territory
a qualifying job offer and the employer's eligibility
family, work, study or other genuine connections to the jurisdiction
settlement funds, business experience or investment requirements
your intention and ability to become economically established there

Meeting a stream's minimum criteria may allow you to enter a pool or submit an expression of interest, but it does not necessarily mean you will be invited to apply or nominated. Programs may use targeted selections and can change, pause or close streams.

05 How the PNP Process Works

The details vary by jurisdiction and stream, but the process generally moves through these stages.

Choose the correct stream

Review the official criteria for the province or territory where you genuinely intend to live. Confirm whether the stream uses Express Entry or the non-Express Entry process.

Complete the selection step, if required

Create an Express Entry profile, register an expression of interest, or wait for a notification of interest or invitation, depending on the stream. Registration alone is not an application or a guarantee of selection.

Apply to the province or territory

If invited or otherwise permitted to apply, submit the nomination application with evidence that you meet every stream requirement. The provincial or territorial government decides whether to nominate you.

Accept or use the nomination

For an Express Entry nomination, accept the electronic nomination within the period shown in your IRCC account. For a non-Express Entry stream, follow the instructions and validity period on the nomination certificate.

Apply for permanent residence

Submit the federal application through the required route. IRCC reviews whether you remain eligible, are admissible to Canada, and meet the conditions of the nomination before making the final decision.

06 Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer for the PNP?+

Not for every stream. Some streams require a qualifying job offer, while others select candidates based on human capital, work experience, education, business activity or connections to the province or territory. The rule depends on the specific stream.

Can I apply to more than one province or territory?+

You may explore more than one program, subject to each program's rules, but a nomination requires a genuine intention to live in the nominating jurisdiction. Accepting competing nominations or giving inconsistent information about where you intend to settle can create serious concerns.

Does a nomination guarantee permanent residence?+

No. The province or territory decides whether to nominate you, while IRCC makes the final permanent residence decision and assesses admissibility and continuing eligibility.

What happens if my circumstances change after nomination?+

Changes such as losing a job offer, changing employers, allowing an Express Entry profile to expire or no longer intending to settle in the nominating jurisdiction may affect the nomination. Report material changes promptly to the province or territory and IRCC as required.

Is Ontario's program the same as the federal PNP process?+

Ontario's nominee program is one of the participating provincial programs. Ontario sets its own streams and selection process, while IRCC remains responsible for the permanent residence application. Current Ontario streams and invitations should be checked directly on the OINP website.

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Considering a provincial nomination?

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