Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) - Gateway to Canada PR visa

Canada’s provincial nominee programs are an essential part of the country’s immigration policies. Canada aims to welcome around 250,000 new residents through provincial nominee programs, including the ManitobaPNP program and other vital pathways for the next three years.

Provincial nominee programs are the most popular and the fastest-growing immigration pathway for those seeking a Canada PR visa. Over the past few years, the federal government has increased allocations of several visa categories under the provincial nominee program. The government has also invested a significant amount of money in promoting PNPs to welcome new permanent residents.

Each Canadian province and territory runs its own provincial nominee programs to meet its labor market and demographic needs.

Who is eligible under Provincial Nominee Programs? 

Under provincial nominee programs, Canadian provinces can nominate individuals and families planning to settle in Canada permanently. 

Each Canadian province determines its own eligibility criteria to select eligible applicants for provincial nominations. These conditions are determined by the demographic, economic, and labor market needs of the province.

To receive a provincial nomination, applicants must demonstrate that they fulfill the eligibility criteria. They must show that they have the skills, work experience, education, and capability to fuel the provincial economy. The province will select an applicant based on the provincial needs and the applicant’s intention to settle in the region. 

Each PNP, such as British Columbia PNP, has multiple sub-programs and pathways for applicants to immigrate as per their needs and eligibility.

Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry System

Most provinces and territories have streams that are linked with the Federal Express Entry system. A nomination from a specific province will grant additional 600 comprehensive ranking system points to the applicant.

A provincial nomination will instantly boost your CRS score, guaranteeing you an Invitation to Apply in the next Express Entry draw.

Applicants who wish to apply for a provincial nomination under the enhanced PNP must create an express entry profile before entering the pool.

If you are looking for a province that requires low CRS points, then Saskatchewan PNP is an ideal option for you. Saskatchewan is a province with low cost of living and high-quality of life. The province also has promising employment opportunities for skilled workers seeking a new life abroad. 

Which Canada PNP Program is Right for You?

Provinces and territories in Canada, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, run Provincial Nominee Programs, through which they nominate eligible foreign workers for permanent residence under various categories or ‘streams’ – provided they have the skills and qualifications required to meet local labor market requirements. Each Canada PNP program stream has different eligibility criteria and procedure for nomination.

Broadly, foreign workers are nominated either through base nomination streams or enhanced nomination streams. In case of base nomination streams, the candidate first verifies eligibility for the stream, then submits an application to the province, and receives a nomination certification if the application is approved. Once nominated, the candidate applies for permanent residence to the federal government.

Enhanced nomination streams are connected to the federal Express Entry System. These streams are meant for people who have filed an Express Entry profile. The provincial government searches through the Express Entry pool of candidates to select eligible foreign workers, and invites them to apply for provincial nomination. If nominated, 600 points are added to the candidate’s Express Entry point score, which practically guarantees an invitation to apply for PR to the federal government.

Some provinces have special requirements for different categories. For instance, the Alberta PNP nominates Express Entry candidates who have 300 or more points, as well as foreign workers who have a valid job offer from an employer in the province. Saskatchewan has its own point-based selection system, through which it determines the eligibility of candidates. 

Similarly, the ManitobaPNP also has its own point system and nominates foreign workers who have a connection to Manitoba through the support of relatives or friends in the province, prior work experience or education in Manitoba, or are invited through strategic recruitment initiatives. Some provinces like British Columbia and Ontario also have specific programs for in-demand occupations, such as tech-sector workers.

Before proceeding with the application process, it is important to select an ideal province or territory, and an eligible stream. To understand the detailed nomination requirements for your desired province and territory, and identify the most ideal Canada PNP program category for your unique profile, seek the trusted guidance of India’s most experienced consultants at Visa Experts, who offer authorized representation for lawful migration to Canada.