Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Immigration to Canada
Last Updated: 28 June 2021
The PNP program was introduced in 1996, 233 Provincial Nominations were admitted under this program, representing less than 0.2% of the total economic immigration. The PNP is now the second-largest economic immigration program of Canada for Permanent Residence.
PNP nomination allocations are determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on an annual basis. The Provincial Nominee Program is a jointly administered program that provides provinces and territories with an opportunity to address their specific economic development needs while distributing the benefits of economic immigration across all provinces and territories.
Once nominated by a province, a nominee applies to IRCC for permanent residence, at which time the Department determines the client’s eligibility and admissibility based on federal admissibility standards. IRCC retains authority over the final selection decision.
What is PNP stream and why does this program exist?
Under the Canadian constitution immigration in Canada is a joint responsibility outlined in section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867. Effective collaboration between the federal government and provinces and territories (PTs) is essential to the overall successful management of the country’s immigration program.
The Provincial Nominee Program is a jointly administered program that provides provinces and territories with an opportunity to address their specific economic development needs while distributing the benefits of economic immigration across all provinces and territories.
Each province or territory except, Quebec and the territory of Nunavut are responsible for the design, management of their respective PNP streams. Each of these provinces and or territories has its own streams and develop nomination criteria intended to assess the applicant’s ability to become economically
established and their intention to reside in the nominating province or territory.
Certain PNP streams are linked to Express Entry System. If you are approved by a province/territory to settle there, you score an additional 600 points under the Canada Express System Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score. Which eventually means you will be further invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
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
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
AINP consists of the following streams:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry Stream
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
- Self-Employed Farmer Stream
- Foreign Graduate Startup-Visa Stream
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families. The program is run by the governments of Alberta and Canada.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Manitoba’s provincial immigration program is comprised of the following streams
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Skilled Workers in Manitoba
- Skilled Workers Overseas
- International Education Stream
- Career Employment Pathway
- Graduate Internship Pathway
- International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
- Business Investor Stream
- Entrepreneur Pathway
- Farm Investor Pathway
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) consists of the following streams:
- Express Entry Skilled Worker
- Skilled Worker
- International Graduate
- Priority Skills NL
- International Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program is an economic immigration program designed to assist skilled immigrants and their families to come and live and work in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
The NSNP consists of the following streams:
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
- Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
- Physician
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
- International Graduates In Demand
- Skilled Worker
- Occupations in Demand
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Through the NSNP, prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia may be nominated to immigrate.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
OINP consists of the following streams:
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream
- Human Capital Priorities stream
- Skilled Trades stream
- Entrepreneur stream
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
Foreign workers, international students and others with the right skills, experience and education apply to the OINP for a nomination. The OINP recognizes and nominates people for permanent residence who have the skills and experience the Ontario economy needs.
