What are the Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs?

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The Canadian Provincial Nominee Program is organized for foreign nationals to immigrate to Canadian provinces. Individuals apply to the province in Canada where they want to live under the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program. Individuals whose Canadian Provincial nomination application is approved are granted permanent residence in the province they prefer in Canada.

All Canadian provinces, except Nunavut and Quebec, maintain their own provincial nomination programs.

Under the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program, provinces organize immigration flows for specific groups such as students, workers, and entrepreneurs.

Gaining a provincial nomination from any province in Canada earns individuals 600 points directly in the points-based immigration assessment system. Applicants who qualify for nomination under the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program directly qualify for Canadian permanent residence by exceeding the minimum score required in the points-based immigration system with the 600 points they earn.

How Do Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs Work?

People who want to immigrate to Canada and reside permanently in Canada can apply under the Canadian Provincial Work Program. People can only apply to Canadian provinces that accept applications through the Canadian provincial nominee program.

If the applicant is found eligible by the Canadian province where the application is made, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sends the applicant an invitation to apply for permanent residence (ITA).

Individuals who have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a Canadian province can apply for the Canadian provincial nominee program.

What Does Canada Aim for with Provincial Nominee Programs?

The Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs aim to enable individuals who want to contribute to the economy of any province in Canada with their experience, work experience and skills to work in Canada.

The Government of Canada plans to attract approximately 250,000 people to immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program between 2021 and 2023.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs?

Individuals wishing to settle in Canada under the Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs and their accompanying family members must meet the criteria determined by the Canadian provinces.

Each province and territory in Canada sets its own criteria for the Provincial Nominee Program. The criteria set by the Canadian provinces for the Provincial Nominee Program are tailored to the needs of the provinces and territories.

Canada Provincial Nominee Program applicants must demonstrate that they have the skills, education, work experience and language proficiency to benefit the local economy and community. To be eligible for the Canada Provincial Nominee Program, individuals must meet specific criteria set by the Canadian province from which they are applying.

Who is Eligible for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs?

Persons who are eligible to apply to the Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs are listed below.

Persons seeking permanent residence in Canada
Individuals who wish to live in a specific region of Canada
Individuals with the skills, experience and education level to contribute to the economy of a particular province in Canada

Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs are designed for individuals who intend to live permanently in Canada and who can provide benefits to Canada.

Which States Offer Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs?

Below are the states that offer the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program.

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Canadian Provincial Work Programs are held in all territories of Canada except the provinces of Nunavut and Quebec.

What are the Required Documents for the Canada Provincial Nominee Program Application?

The documents required for the Canada Provincial Nominee Program application are listed below.

A valid passport and past travel documents
Certificat de Selection du Québec (CSQ) document for those who will apply to the province of Quebec
Document showing that the application has been approved by the Canadian province where the application is made.
Language test results
Birth Certificate
Marriage certificate
Divorce certificates for those who are divorced (death certificate for those with a deceased spouse)
For those with a common-law partner/partner, a Common-Law Union Statutory Declaration (IMM 5409 – original) and proof of living together for at least 12 months (shared flat rent, shared bills, shared address on documents, etc.)
Photocopy of ID and criminal record documents
Biometric Canadian visa photo
Police certificates and permits for each country where the applicant has lived for more than 6 months
Receipt showing that the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program application fees have been paid

How to Apply for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program?

Applications for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program are made through two different methods.

Application methods for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program are listed below.

Apply through the Express Entry program
Apply directly to a Canadian province

How to Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program through the Canada Express Entry Program

Canada Express Entry Program (Canada Express Entry) was designed by the Government of Canada as an electronic immigration program. Canada Express Entry Program is a Canadian express entry immigration program that allows applicants to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

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The Canada Express Entry Program is conducted online through the Government of Canada website. It allows individuals wishing to immigrate to Canada to submit profiles of their skills, education and employment history to collect points according to a points system determined by the Government of Canada.

People who will apply for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program through the Canada Express Entry Program must first create a profile through the Canada Express Entry online immigration system. People must include accurate information that can be proven with documents in their profiles created in the Express Entry system.

Individuals who create a profile on the Canadian Express Entry system must submit their application to the Canadian province of their choice within the scope of the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program. If the Canadian province where the application is made deems the person’s profile appropriate, the applicant is sent an “information of interest” and informed that they can apply for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program. Individuals who have received an approval for an expression of interest from a Canadian province can submit their applications based on points through the Canadian Express Entry Program. The Canadian Government directly provides 600 points to individuals who have received approval for their application to the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program from a Canadian province. The 600 points provided by the Canadian Government directly allow applicants to pass the minimum score threshold on the Express Entry system and have their applications approved.

Applicants who are approved for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program through the Canada Express Entry Program must apply for Canadian permanent residence online within 60 days of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence (ITA) from the Government of Canada.

How to Apply Directly to States?

Individuals who wish to apply directly to the provinces under the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program must meet the eligibility and application requirements of the province they will be applying to. Each Canadian province publishes the eligibility criteria for Canadian provincial nominee programs on their official provincial website. Individuals who will apply directly to the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program must visit the official website of the province they will be applying to and be informed before applying.

The steps to submit a direct application to the states are given below.

The State Nominee Program application is submitted directly to the relevant unit of the desired state.
All eligibility requirements are met.
Applications are evaluated based on a point system based on criteria determined by the state.
If the Canadian province deems the person suitable for the program, it sends the applicant a letter of nomination.
Applications for Canadian permanent residence are made to IRCC.
The application review process for individuals who apply directly to the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program through the province takes longer than applications made through the Canadian Express Entry Program.

What are the State Nominee Programs by Region?

The regions implementing the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program and the programs they implement are listed below.

British Columbia : Express Entry Program, Skills Immigration Program, Entrepreneur Immigration Program.
Alberta : Opportunity Stream and Express Entry Stream Program, International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream, Self-Employed Farmer Stream.
Ontario : Ontario Express Entry Program, Graduate Stream, Employer-Job Offer Program, Work Streams.
Manitoba : Skilled Workers Overseas Stream, Express Entry Pathway Program, Human Capital Pathway Program, Manitoba Worker Stream Program, International Education Stream, Business Investor Stream.
Saskatchewan : Express Entry Program, International Skilled Worker Program.
Nova Scotia : Labour Market Priorities Stream, Nova Scotia Experience Program.
New Brunswick : Express Entry Labour Market Stream, Employer Supported Skilled Worker Program, Entrepreneur Stream, Postgraduate Entrepreneurship Stream.
Prince Edward Island : Express Entry Program, Skilled Worker Outside Canada Stream, Skilled Worker Program in PEI Stream, International Graduate Stream, Critical Worker Stream, Business Work Permit Stream.
Newfoundland and Labrador : Newfoundland Express Entry Skilled Worker Program, Skilled Worker Program, Priority Skills Program, International Graduate Stream, International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, Entrepreneur Stream.
Northwest Territories : Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations Stream, Skilled Worker Stream, Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream, Job Stream.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a program run by the Government of Ontario that nominates individuals to immigrate to Ontario. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is administered in two ways: online through the Express Entry system and as a federal program.

Listed below are the programs and streams that the province of Ontario has implemented under the Immigrant Nominee Program.

Ontario Express Login Human Capital Priority Stream
Ontario Express Entry Qualified Trade Flow
Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Ontario Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream
Ontario International Students Category
Ontario International Graduate Stream
Ontario International PhD Graduate Stream
Ontario Entrepreneur Stream
Ontario Institutional Stream

There are three Canadian Express Entry Programs in total within the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program. In applications made through the Express Entry Program using the points-based system, if the applicant is deemed suitable by the province of Ontario, 600 points are provided to the person and the person is directly accepted into the program.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC-PNP)

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC-PNP) is a type of immigration program that allows a variety of workers, graduates and entrepreneurs to settle permanently in the province of British Columbia.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is run in two different ways: the Express Entry Program and the direct provincial application program.

Listed below are the Provincial Nominee Program types available in British Columbia that are compatible with the Express Entry System.

Skilled Worker Immigration Category : This is a program for skilled workers who have received a job offer from an employer residing in the province of British Columbia.
International Graduate Immigration Category : For individuals who have graduated from a Canadian university or college and have a job offer from an employer residing in the province of British Columbia.
International Graduate Immigration Category : This is a type of immigration program designed for graduates with a master’s or doctoral degree in the health sciences, natural sciences, or applied sciences.
Health Professional Category : It is an immigration program for doctors, specialists and nurses who want to immigrate to Canada.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

The province of Manitoba offers a variety of Provincial Nominee Programs that allow people to immigrate to Canada and reside permanently in the province of Manitoba.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program categories are listed below.

Manitoba Express Entry Path : Includes programs designed to apply to Manitoba province through the online immigration system.
Overseas Skilled Workers Program : A program designed to facilitate the immigration of foreign skilled workers with ties to the province of Manitoba to Manitoba.
Human Capital Pathway : Designed for international workers who are educated and have skilled occupations on Manitoba’s in-demand occupation list.
Work Experience Pathway : Designed for skilled temporary workers who wish to settle in Manitoba.
Employer Direct Hiring Pathway : A program designed to employ overseas skilled workers in Manitoba through a strategic hiring plan for specialized jobs in Manitoba.
Manitoba Skilled Workers Program : A program designed to provide permanent residence for temporary skilled workers in the province of Manitoba.
Manitoba International Education Stream : Provides students and graduates with the opportunity to become permanent residents of the province of Manitoba.
Entrepreneur Pathway : This is a program that allows entrepreneurs and investors who want to establish a business in Manitoba or invest in the province of Manitoba to become permanent residents of Canada.
Farm Investor Pathway : A type of immigration program designed for experienced and financially qualified individuals who want to start a farm business in Manitoba.

Since 2018, the Province of Manitoba has been accepting applications for some Provincial Nominee Programs through the Express Entry System.

The streams available on the Express Entry System under the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program are listed below.

Federal Skilled Worker Class Program (FSWC)
Federal Skilled Trades Class Program (FSTC)
Canadian Experience Class Program (CEC)

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Individuals wishing to immigrate to the Canadian province of Saskatchewan must apply for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. Saskatchewan immigration authorities have established several Provincial Nominee Program categories for potential applicants.

The province of Saskatchewan accepts applications for the International Skilled Worker Program through the Provincial Nominee Program through the Express Entry System. Applicants who will apply for the International Skilled Worker Program must create a profile through the Express Entry System.

Other Provincial Nominee Program categories run by the province of Saskatchewan are listed below.

Farm Owner and Operator Program : Provided for individuals who wish to operate a farm in the province of Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program : It is a program organized for people who want to immigrate to Canada to start a business in Saskatchewan or invest in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Experience Program : A program designed to provide temporary workers working in Saskatchewan with the opportunity to become permanent residents of the province.
Saskatchewan International Graduate Entrepreneur Program : It is an immigration program designed to enable graduates who have completed their post-secondary education in the province of Saskatchewan to become permanent residents of Canada.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program is a type of immigration program that allows potential immigrants to immigrate to Canada to become permanent residents of Canada.

The province of Nova Scotia accepts some program applications through the Canada Express Entry Program under the Nominee Program.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Programs that are applied for through the Express Entry System are listed below.

Nova Scotia Demand Program : A program designed to provide permanent immigration to Canada for skilled professionals needed by the province of Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Demand Program was terminated on January 4, 2021.
Nova Scotia Experience Program : It is designed to enable people with work experience in the province of Nova Scotia to reside permanently in Canada.
Labour Market Priorities Program : An immigration program designed to employ immigrants to address the labour market shortages in the province of Nova Scotia.

Other Nominee Programs that are not included in Nova Scotia’s Express Entry Program are listed below.

Physician Stream : An immigration program for internationally educated physicians to reside permanently in Nova Scotia.
Entrepreneur Stream : An immigration program for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to establish a business in the province of Nova Scotia.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream : It is an immigration program designed to enable individuals who have completed their undergraduate education in the province of Nova Scotia to obtain permanent residence in Canada.
Skilled Worker Stream : Designed for skilled workers who want to permanently reside and work in the province of Nova Scotia.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

The province of New Brunswick is one of the provinces in Canada that operates a Provincial Nominee Program. Individuals who wish to permanently reside and work in the province of New Brunswick must apply under the Provincial Nominee Program.

The following are the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program types.

Express Entry Labour Market Stream : One of the Express Entry programs of the province of New Brunswick.
Employer-Sponsored Skilled Worker Stream : An immigration program for individuals who have received a job offer from an employer in the province of New Brunswick.
Entrepreneur Stream : A provincial nominee program for potential international entrepreneurs who want to start and run a business in New Brunswick.
Post-Graduation Entrepreneurship Stream : This is an immigration program that aims to enable graduates who have completed their post-secondary education in the province of New Brunswick to establish and manage a business in the province.

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Prince Edward Island Provincial Program (PEI PNP)

Prince Edward Island, known as the smallest province in Canada compared to other regions, offers people the opportunity to immigrate to Canada under the State Program. Prince Edward Island State Program types are listed below.

PEI Express Entry : Persons wishing to permanently reside in Prince Edward Island can apply for immigration online through the Express Entry system.
Critical Worker Stream : is designed for individuals who have received a job offer from a Presn Edward Island (PEI) resident employer in a Skill Level C or D occupation on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list.
Skilled Workers Outside Canada Program : An immigration program designed to employ skilled workers located outside of Canada who have received a job offer from an employer located in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Skilled Workers Program in PEI : An immigration program for people who want to work in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
International Graduate Stream : A type of immigration program that allows graduates of a university or college located in Prince Edward Island (PEI) to work and reside permanently in the province.
Business Work Permit Stream : The Business Work Permit stream is an immigration stream for foreign nationals who are business owners or have extensive management experience and want to move to PEI to start their business.

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the Canadian provinces that offers a provincial nominee program. Applications for the Provincial Nominee Program in Newfoundland and Labrador can be made through the Express Entry System and directly to the provinces.

The types of city nominee programs held in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador are listed below.

Newfoundland Express Entry Skilled Worker Program : Individuals who receive a job offer from an employer residing in the province of Newfoundland can apply for immigration through the Express Entry System.
Skilled Worker Program : Individuals who receive a job offer from the province of Newfoundland can apply to immigrate directly to the province under the Provincial Nominee Program.
Priority Skills Program : This is an immigration program designed to provide employment in Canada to professionals working in sectors where the province has a shortage of labour.
International Graduate Program : An immigration program that allows international university graduates to reside in Canada upon being invited to work by an employer residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Program : For graduate entrepreneurs who have graduated from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic in Newfoundland, started or purchased a local business in Newfoundland, and have resided in the province continuously for at least one year.
Entrepreneur Program : This is an immigration program for experienced business owners or senior business executives who want to start a new life and continue their business career in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

The Northwest Territories is one of Canada’s territories offering the Nominee Program. Located in the far north of Canada, the Northwest Territories is a vast and beautiful wilderness area with a few thriving small communities. With approximately 41,000 residents in an area of over one million square kilometres, the Northwest Territories is in constant demand for workers in key industries such as mining, energy and resources, construction, transportation, and tourism.

The programs organized within the scope of the Northwest Regions Nominee Program are listed below.

Express Entry Skilled Worker Program : An immigration program that allows skilled workers working in occupations listed on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list at skill levels 0, A or B to immigrate to Canada with a job offer from an employer residing in the Northwest Territories.
Critical Impact Worker Program : An immigration program for semi-skilled workers who work in an occupation listed on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) at skill levels C and D.
Business Stream Program : This is a type of immigration program designed for business people who want to establish a business in the Northwest Territories.

What are the Categories of State Nominee Programs?

The Government of Canada offers a total of more than 70 immigration programs in different provinces under the Provincial Nominee Programs.

Each state determines its own application criteria for the State Nominee Program. Those who will apply for the State Nominee Program must be well aware of the requirements of the state they will be applying to.

The criteria for accepting applications for the Provincial Nominee Programs of Canadian provinces vary from province to province. While some Canadian provinces evaluate applications based on application priority, some provinces may consider different criteria. There are three different categories of Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada.

The categories of Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs are listed below.

Application Order Priority

Applicants to the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program are evaluated in the order of their application until the number of applicants determined by the province is reached. Some Provincial Nominee Programs fill the applicant quota determined by the province very quickly.

The Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs that are in the highest demand and whose application quotas are filled the fastest are listed below.

Nova Scotia Claim Program
Ontario International Graduate Stream
Through Expression of Interest

The process of evaluating applications through expressions of interest is conducted by the states that have included their points system in the State Nominee Program. The expressions of interest category is similar to the Express Entry system. State Nominee Program applicants must submit an “expression of interest form” to the state where they will apply to indicate their candidacy for the program.

The scoring system used in the expression of interest category is completely independent of the Canadian Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) system used on the Express Entry System.

Passive Application Acceptance

Passive applications can be made to the Provincial Nominee Programs organized by some Canadian provinces. In exceptional cases, candidates who have applied through the Express Entry System cannot actively apply to the Canadian province’s nominee program. In passive applications, the Canadian province sends the applicant an invitation to apply.

Candidates invited to apply by the Canadian Government are informed through the IRCC accounts they have created.

Provincial Candidate Programs Processing Times

Processing times for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs vary depending on where the application is submitted. Applications for the Canada Provincial Nominee Program submitted through the Express Entry system are processed more quickly than applications submitted directly to the province.

The average processing time for applications for the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program made through the Express Entry system is known to be 6 months.

Paper-based, direct-to-state Provincial Nominee Program applications take 1 to 2 years to process at the federal level.