The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an immigration pathway designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and their families to Canada’s provinces and territories. Each province or territory has its own unique PNP designed to meet local labor market demands, thus making Canada’s immigration process diverse and dynamic.

Under the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027, the target for PNP admissions has been set at 55,000 admissions per year for 2025, 2026, and 2027, a reduction of about 50%. Meanwhile, the Express Entry Program will increase its target to 124,680 in 2025, providing more opportunities for high-skilled applicants.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

The PNP allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have the skills, education, and work experience needed to contribute to the local economy. These nominees can apply for permanent residency through a fast-tracked process under one of the many streams available in the program.

Each province or territory in Canada has tailored streams that align with their local workforce needs, making PNP a flexible and targeted immigration pathway.

How Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Exist in Canada?

Canada’s PNP system includes immigration programs for all provinces and territories. Here are some of the key PNPs and their streams:

1. Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

1. Streams:

   1. Alberta Opportunity Stream

   2. Alberta Express Entry Stream

   3. Self-Employed Farmer Stream

2. Designed to attract skilled workers and self-employed individuals to Alberta’s growing economy.

2. British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

• Streams:

  • Skills Immigration

  • Express Entry BC

  • Entrepreneur Immigration

• Aimed at attracting skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs to British Columbia.

3. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

1. Streams:

   • Skilled Workers in Manitoba

   • Skilled Workers Overseas

   • International Education

   • Business Investor

2. Invites skilled workers, international graduates, and business investors to establish themselves in Manitoba.

4. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

• Streams:

  • Human Capital Priorities Stream

  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

  • Skilled Trades Stream

  • Employer Job Offer Streams

  • Masters & PhD Graduate Streams

  • Entrepreneur Stream

• A wide range of streams for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates in Ontario.

5. Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

• Streams:

  • International Skilled Worker

  • Saskatchewan Experience

  • Entrepreneur and Farm

• Designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and farm workers to Saskatchewan.

6. Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

• Streams:

  • PEI PNP Express Entry

  • Labour Impact Category

  • Business Impact Category

• Helps PEI recruit skilled workers and business investors to meet local demands.

7. New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

• Streams:

  • Skilled Workers with Employer Support

  • Express Entry Labour Market Stream

  • Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

  • Entrepreneurial Stream

• Supports New Brunswick’s economic growth through skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

8. Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

• Streams:

  • Express Entry Skilled Worker

  • Skilled Worker

  • International Graduate

• Attracts skilled workers and international graduates to contribute to the province’s economy.

9. Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

1. Streams:

   1. Labour Market Priorities Stream

   2. Skilled Worker

   3. Entrepreneur Stream

   4. International Graduate Entrepreneur

2. Offers opportunities for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates to settle in Nova Scotia.

10. Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

• Streams:

  • Yukon Express Entry (YEE)

  • Critical Impact Worker

  • Skilled Worker

  • Business Nominee

• Targets skilled workers and business people to meet Yukon’s labor market needs.

Am I Eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

Each province and territory in Canada has specific eligibility criteria, but general factors for eligibility include:

• Work experience in a specific occupation.

• Language proficiency in English or French.

• Education and skill level aligned with provincial labor market needs.

• Intention to settle in the province/territory you are applying to.

• Job offer from an employer in the province (varies by stream).

• Connection to the province, such as having family or educational ties.

In general, younger applicants with strong language skills and higher education levels are more likely to be successful.

How to Apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Review the eligibility requirements of each PNP to determine which program you qualify for. Check whether your occupation is in demand or if you have any family ties in the province.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Submit your application to the selected province or territory’s PNP. Ensure all documents are complete and meet the specific requirements.

Step 3: Get Your Provincial Nomination Certificate

If your application is successful, you will receive a provincial nomination certificate that you can use to apply for permanent residency.

Step 4: Submit Your PR Visa Application

With the provincial nomination, submit your application for a Canadian permanent residence visa to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Depending on the stream, you may apply through Express Entry or a paper-based process.

Express Entry and PNP – A Faster Pathway

For PNPs that are linked to Express Entry, nominees receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which virtually guarantees an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. This accelerated pathway is highly beneficial for applicants seeking faster processing.

Processing Time for PNP Applications

• Express Entry-linked PNPs: Processed in 6 to 8 months.

• Non-Express Entry PNPs (paper-based): Typically take 1 to 2 years for processing.

The actual processing time depends on the province, the stream selected, and whether the applicant applies online or through paper-based submission.

PNP Statistics & Invitations in 2024

Note: These numbers reflect the invitations and score ranges based on the latest available data in 2024.