Provincial Nominee Program Canada

Understanding the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an integral part of and one of the two basic modes of Canadian Immigration and deals with the economic and employment needs of exclusive to each province of Canada. Hence, it differs as per the distinct requirements of each Canadian province, while also depending on the Express Entry System for the same. Consequently, under the PNPs exclusive to them provinces may target students, business people, skilled workers or semi-skilled workers, et alia, as per their emergent needs.

PNP targets for workers possessing skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory, want to live in that province, and seek permanent residency in Canada. It is pertinent for those seeking to migrate to Canada to have a clear-cut understanding of this process and all that it requires.

How to apply for PNP

The application process under PNP system includes the Paper Based Procedure and the Online Method through the Express Entry System.

The Paper-based process entails:
– Applying to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream
– Meeting the eligibility criteria of the nominator province
– Submitting a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, post nomination
– Passing a medical exam, obtaining a police check (certificate)

In the paper-based system application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.

How to apply through the paper-based process

Express Entry process further entails two modes of application.

The applicant could contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.
Post nomination he/she must create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.

– OR –

The nominee could create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories he/she is interested in.
On receipt of a “notification of interest” to your account, he/she could contact them directly.

If nominated, the province will send an offer to the applicant through his/her account, and the latter must accept it electronically. In both cases, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the province or territory besides submitting an Express Entry, which shows that he/she meets the minimum criteria for Express Entry, apart from establishing the applicant’s eligibility for the immigration program that it covers. On receipt of an invitation to apply, the applicant must submit an electronic application to IRCC.