Permanent Residence
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Nomination-based pathways run by individual provinces and territories.
Overview
Provincial Nominee Programs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate candidates for permanent residence based on their own labour market and community needs. Each province or territory sets its own criteria and decides how many people it can nominate each year.
Streams commonly target skilled workers with a job offer, international graduates of local institutions, entrepreneurs and business people, and workers in occupations the province considers in demand. The details, including whether a stream is open at a given time, vary widely.
There are two routes. An enhanced nomination is linked to Express Entry and adds 600 points to the candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. A base nomination is processed outside Express Entry, through a separate permanent residence application to IRCC. Quebec does not take part — it runs its own selection system for economic immigrants — and Nunavut does not operate a nominee program.
We don't invent or guess at provincial criteria here — the right stream and its exact requirements depend on the specific province and current program guidelines, which we review directly with you.
Who may consider this: Candidates with a connection to, or interest in, a specific province's labour market or community.
Eligibility Considerations
- Meeting the specific criteria of the province's chosen stream, which vary by province
- Often a connection to the province — a job offer, prior study, family, or a visit under certain streams
- An Express Entry profile and eligibility for a federal Express Entry program, for enhanced (Express Entry-linked) streams
- Meeting the province's language, education, or work experience thresholds for that stream
How It Works
Initial Assessment
We review your profile against the provinces where you may have the strongest connection or eligibility.
Stream Identification
We identify the specific provincial stream(s) that currently match your situation, and whether each is a base or enhanced stream.
Provincial Application
An application (or expression of interest) is prepared for the provincial government.
Provincial Nomination
If nominated, you receive a nomination certificate from the province.
Federal Application
The nomination is used to apply for permanent residence — through your Express Entry profile for an enhanced nomination, or by a separate application to IRCC for a base nomination.
Federal Processing
IRCC processes the permanent residence application; timelines vary by stream.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Proof of connection to the province (job offer, study, family, prior visit)
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment, where required
- Proof of funds, depending on the stream
- Provincial application forms specific to the chosen stream
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Applying to a stream whose criteria don't actually match the candidate's profile
- Assuming all PNP streams work the same way, when requirements differ significantly by province
- Confusing base and enhanced streams, and the different federal steps each one requires
- Missing province-specific document or form requirements
- Not accounting for provincial intake caps or stream closures
How We Help
- Identify which province and stream genuinely fits your background
- Confirm current, province-specific eligibility criteria before you apply
- Prepare the provincial application and, where applicable, the linked federal application
- Track provincial intake periods and stream availability
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to more than one province?+
In some cases yes, but each province's rules on concurrent applications vary, so this needs to be checked before applying to more than one.
Is PNP faster than Express Entry alone?+
An enhanced nomination adds 600 CRS points, which can speed up receiving an invitation, but overall timelines still depend on the specific stream and current processing times.
Do I need a job offer for PNP?+
Some streams require one, others don't — this depends entirely on the specific province and stream.
Does Quebec have a Provincial Nominee Program?+
No. Quebec selects its own economic immigrants through a separate system, and selected candidates then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. We confirm current Quebec requirements before advising.
What happens if I'm nominated but don't apply for permanent residence?+
Nominations are generally time-limited, so it's important to move forward with the federal application within the required window.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.