Jul 17, 2023
Provincial Nominee Program
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Provincial Nominee Program is another points-based selection system that can grant permanent residence (PR) status for both skilled workers inside Canada and outside Canada.
Each province and territory have its own set of "streams", immigration programs that target certain groups such as:
- students
- business people
- skilled workers
- semi-skilled workers
These streams are for workers(and business people), who want to live in that certain province and want to become permanent residents of Canada. You must have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory for you to be eligible.
The PNP is an option you can choose if your CRS score is not high enough for you to get invited throught Express Entry alone. If you receive a nomination from a province or territory, you'll receive an additional 600 CRS score.
Before you can apply to these streams, you’ll also go through the same process of submitting a profile, which is called “Expression of Interest (EOI)”, to the province you’d like to work and live. Once you’ve registered your EOI, you’ll join the pool of candidates, who’ll be assessed based on the needs of that certain provinces.
The submission of your EOI is for you to join the pool of candidates. Only when you are invited can you really apply to the PNP stream.
You are not yet considered provincial nominee when you are just invited. Only once your application is approved can you receive the nomination.
Choose a province or territory
Canada offers nearly 80 different Provincial Nominee Program or PNP which have their individual eligibility requirements. The PNP program allows provinces to meet their individual immigration needs by helping them fill jobs that are in demand and meet labor shortages in their province.
To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
The criteria by province and territory vary and can change without notice.immigration website
The province of Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. See their immigation website to learn more about their programs.
How you will apply depends on which Provincial Nominee Program stream you’re applying to. You might need to apply using the non-Express Entry process, or through Express Entry.
Express Entry(EE) process
When applying for PNP through EE process, you will need an EE profile as well. This will be mentioned as part of the requirements before you can submit your EOI.
Once you receive your nomination, the province can either directly inform the IRCC about your nomination and it will automatically appear in your Express Entry profile like below;
Or you may need to update and submit your nomination in your Express Entry profile by yourself.
Once you receive the nomination, you'll receive an additional 600 CRS score. Almost all provincial nominees get their invitation to apply(ITA) for PR on the very next rounds of invitation after receiving their nomination.
The only time they don't get invited in the next round is when IRCC focuses on inviting candidates under the Canadian Express Class (CEC) only. If you fall under this program, you will still get invited.
Express Entry - Once you receive an Invitation to Apply
Non-Express Entry process
In the non-EE process,if you're nominated, you can apply for permanent residence directly online. I personally prefer this because you don’t have to wait for the Express Entry’s rounds of invitation to apply for PR. BUT it was mentioned in the IRCC website that the application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.
BUT in contrary, we also have a group member whose PR application got approved in just 1 month after arriving in Canada, 4months after her application.
In the end, it still depends on your profile, I guess.
Anyway after a province or territory nominates you, you must apply online to IRCC for permanent residence. Follow the instructions in this link.
After you apply (non-Express Entry process)
You will be asked to give your biometrics in person even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.
Find a collection point close to you
You must also have a medical exam before you come to Canada. Your family members must also have one, even if they’re not coming with you.
You may need also need a police certificate from any country or territory (except Canada) in which you spent 6 months in a row or more since the age of 18. In some countries, it can take a long time to get a police certificate. Therefore, you may want to get them early.
If you’re currently working in Canada
If your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. If you’re eligible, this permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision on your permanent residence application.
You’ll need the letter called “Acknowledgment of receipt – Application for permanent residence” to apply for a bridging open work permit.
Processing times
Your application processing time will depends on which visa office is processing your application. You can use this link to check the application processing times.
On the other hand, since application for PR can take so much time, nominees who received job offers already are adviced to apply for a WP while waiting for their PR application.
How to Apply for a Work Permit
The reason you need to apply for a work permit is for you to be able to start work as soon as possible.
If your application is approved:
you will be asked for your passport, or a photocopy of your passport. This depends on if you’re from a country where you need a visa to visit Canada.
You’ll need to pay your Right of Permanent Residence fee, if you haven’t already.
After you pay, you will be issued a:
- confirmation of permanent residence (COPR)
- permanent resident visa (if you are from a country where you need a visa)
- letter with important information about your COPR and other requirements
Your COPR will have information about you as well as your photograph. Check to make sure the information on the COPR is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport.
If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact IRCC by following the instructions they gave you.
You must have your COPR, and your visa (if you need one) with you when you arrive in Canada.
Congratulation on your successful application!!!
I'm really glad to be part of this journey and I'm really happy for you!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nominated na kami, may chance pa rin kaya marefuse ang WP/OWP namin?
A nomination can only support your work permit application, BUT could never guarantee it.
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