In our previous posts, we introduced you to the different immigration programs and pathways for Canada, explained how Express Entry works, and discussed how family sponsorship works.
In this post, we will talk about another way to immigrate to Canada by being nominated by a Canadian province or territory: provincial nominees.
What are provincial nominees?
Provincial nominees are individuals who want to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province or territory. Each province or territory has its own provincial nominee program (PNP) with its own criteria and streams.
Some PNPs are aligned with Express Entry, which means you can apply online through your Express Entry profile. Other PNPs are not aligned with Express Entry, which means you have to apply separately to the province or territory and to the federal government.
How do provincial nominees work?
Provincial nominees work in two steps:
- Apply to the province or territory: You need to choose a province or territory that you want to live and work in and find out their PNP requirements and streams. You can use the PNP Finder to explore your options. You then need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) or an application to the province or territory online or by mail. The province or territory will then assess your EOI or application and decide whether to nominate you or not. If you are nominated, you will receive a nomination certificate or a letter of support from the province or territory.
- Apply for permanent residence: If you are nominated through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream, you will receive an additional 600 CRS points, which will guarantee you an ITA in the next round of invitations. You then need to apply for permanent residence online through your Express Entry profile. If you are nominated through a non-Express Entry-aligned PNP stream, you will need to apply for permanent residence separately to IRCC by mail or online (if available). You will also need to provide proof of your nomination, identity, education, work experience, language ability, and other documents.
The processing time for provincial nominee applications varies depending on the type of stream, the province or territory, and the federal government. You can check the current processing times on the IRCC website. You can also link your paper application to your online account to check the status of your application.
What are the benefits of being a provincial nominee?
There are several benefits of being a provincial nominee, such as:
- Having more options: You can choose from a variety of PNP streams that suit your skills, education, work experience, and goals. Some PNP streams target specific occupations, industries, regions, or groups that are in demand in the province or territory.
- Having more flexibility: You can apply for a provincial nomination even if you do not qualify for other federal immigration programs or pathways. Some PNP streams have lower language or education requirements than Express Entry programs. Some PNP streams also allow you to apply without a job offer or a Canadian work experience.
- Having more support: You can access settlement services and resources from the province or territory that nominated you. You can also benefit from the local networks and opportunities that the province or territory offers.
These are some of the benefits of being a provincial nominee. You can find more information about each PNP stream on the IRCC website or on the official websites of each province or territory.
We hope that this post has given you a clear overview of how provincial nominees work and how you can apply for permanent residence by being nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
In our next post, we will discuss Quebec-selected skilled workers, another way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker in the province of Quebec.