These are the specific immigration programs for each province, with different requirements according to the objective of meeting the region’s immigration needs, which may target: students, investors and foreign workers. To receive an invitation from a province the candidate must express interest in it and have an active profile on Express Entry platform. Upon receiving an invitation to apply from a province, the candidate will receive +600 points in their Express Entry profile, which will normally guarantee the candidate selection in the next draw, by receiving an ITA (Invitation to Apply). In terms of application cost, each province has its on application fees, on top of the Express Entry government fees.
ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES
This program is for workers who:
- have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
- want to live in that province, and
- want to become permanent residents of Canada
Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:
- students
- business people
- skilled workers
- semi-skilled workers
UNDERSTAND THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process for PNPs differs depending on the stream you qualify for. All PNPs offer Express Entry linked-streams and non-Express Entry streams that don’t require applicants to have an active profile in the Express Entry pool. Instead, applicants are required to apply directly to the province. The Express Entry system is a points-based immigration system that fast-tracks the application process for skilled foreign workers within six months.
As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.
Applying through the Express Entry Process
Step 1: Create an Express Entry Profile
The easiest way to apply for a nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream is to create an Express Entry profile online. This means that not only must you meet the requirements for the stream but you must also meet the requirements for one of three Express Entry programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Federal Skilled Trade
- Canadian Experience Class
Step 2: Send an Expression of Interest
From your Express Entry profile you can send an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province you’re interested in. If the province responds by sending a “notification of interest” to your account then you can contact them directly to apply to their Express Entry stream.
Good to know: You could alternatively apply for Express Entry-linked streams by creating your provincial profile first and only after receiving a Notification of Interest, create an Express Entry profile.
Step 3: Receive a Nomination
Once you have been nominated you will receive the nomination certificate through your Express Entry profile. This also means that you automatically receive 600 CRS points and basically guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in the next Express Entry draw.
Step 4: Submit an Online Application for Permanent Residency
As soon as you receive the invitation, you have a span of 60 days to submit a complete and accurate application along with all the supporting documents. The average processing time for Express Entry applications is six months.
Applying through the Provincial Process
Step 1: Create a Profile on the Portal of the Province
The first step is to create a profile in the appropriate system for your stream. Each provincial government has its own system. For example, when applying to Ontario you’ll use the OINP e-Filing Portal.
This registration allows the province to gather key information about you to rank and select those most likely to meet that province’s economic and labor market needs, based on one or more of the following attributes:
- Education – level and area of education and where completed
- Language – English or French
- Regional immigration – intention to settle outside the capitals area
- Skill level and work experience
- salary history
- Other factors relevant to employment prospects – province job offer, Canadian work experience
- Strategic priorities – attributes that meet the immediate needs of the province’s labor market.
Top candidates will receive an invitation to apply for a nomination. The majority of candidates are chosen based on a scoring system.
Step 2: Receive an invitation to Apply
The best candidates will receive an invitation to apply for a nomination. Most candidates are chosen based on a scoring system.
Step 3: Apply for a Nomination
If you received an invitation to apply you may apply to be nominated by the province. During this step, you will be required to submit supporting documents such as your language test results and job offer letter.
Step 4: Submit your Application for Permanent Residency
Once you have been nominated, you must submit your application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You may submitted it on the designated online platform. The average processing time for PNP applications is 18 months.
CHOOSE A PROVINCE OR TERRITORY
To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions according to each province requirement.
See the provinces available immigration programs:
The selection criteria by province and territory may vary and can change without notice.
Footnote : The province of Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program.
STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
- Book an appointment with us to assess your chances of immigrating through the Provincial Nominee Programs.
- Follow our youtube channel and our social networks, where we post daily content about immigration, with tips, clarifications and news from the Government of Canada.
- Click here to read the full article about the Federal Skilled Worker program
- Click here to read the full article about the Federal Skilled Trade program
- Click here to read the full article about the Canadian Experience Class
Main source of the content : IRCC – www.canada.ca
