Provincial Nomination

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a special program that allows individual provinces within Canada to nominate applicants based on their own requirements. These provincial nomination programs operate by their individual Governments through an agreement with Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC). Individuals nominated by a province are eligible to have their immigration application fast-tracked. Those who intend on residing in a specific province will want to consider the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Applying for immigration to Canada through a Provincial Nominee Program is a fairly quick process and, with the help of a knowledgeable immigration consultant, it can be a very simple process. First, you must apply for and obtain a Provincial Nomination Certificate from the province in which you intend to reside.

Once you receive a Nomination Certificate from the province, you will then be required to submit an application for permanent residency to federal immigration authorities. Though each province has its own criteria, the general process is the same.

Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program

Submit an application for the Provincial Nominee Program to the Provincial Nominee Program office. An officer will check your documentation and information to see if you are a qualified candidate. In some cases, you may be asked to attend an interview. If an interview is not required and you have met all the requirements for the program, a Provincial Nomination Certificate will be sent to you.
If an interview is required, you will be informed and will have to meet with provincial authorities in order to satisfy any additional requirements of the program.
Upon receipt of your Provincial Nomination Certificate, you must apply to the federal government before the expiration date specified on your certificate. You must include all requested documents in your application in order to be considered for Permanent Residency.
Your completed application will be transferred to the Canadian Immigration Visa Office that is responsible for processing immigration applications in your country. You will then be instructed to complete medical examination and send in any additional documentation required and will need to pay the fees for obtaining your Permanent Residency. You will then be instructed to complete medical examination, send in any additional documentation required, and will need to pay the fees for obtaining your Permanent Residency.
Once you have received Permanent Residency, you will have a specified period of time in which you and your family must enter Canada before your visa expires.

Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

The Province of Alberta invites foreign workers, students, and trades-persons who qualify to apply for one of the following categories of the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program:

Alberta Skilled Worker Category
Alberta Semi-Skilled Worker Category
Alberta International Graduate Category
Alberta Compulsory and Optional Trades Category
Alberta Engineering Occupations Category
Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Steam
Each of these categories provides its own set of rules and requirements.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) accelerates the permanent resident application process for skilled and/or experienced workers, experienced business persons and their family members who want to settle in the province of British Columbia. This program is split into two categories: Strategic Occupations and Business Immigration. To apply for the BC Provincial Nominee Program under one of these two categories, you must meet the basic requirements set by the province of British Colombia:

Intend to settle in British Columbia
Be able and willing to become economically established in British Columbia
Have legal status in your country of residence, whether you are in Canada or outside of Canada
Must not have an active refugee claim

In addition to these basic requirements, you must qualify under either the Strategic Occupations or Business Immigration category and satisfy all the requirements of the category under which you are applying.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

The Province of Manitoba has designed their Provincial Nominee Program to invite qualified skilled workers and business people looking to immigrate to Canada. If you are a skilled worker or business person who is looking to settle and open a business or start a farm in the province of Manitoba then you may qualify to apply for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. To qualify for this program as a Skilled Worker you must meet the requirements for age, education, work experience, language proficiency and adaptability. Business persons or farm owners must meet the minimum net worth and have experience as required by the province for each of these categories.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program

The Province of New Brunswick offers exciting opportunities for skilled workers and business applicants who are interested in immigration to Canada’s east coast. Skilled workers must have a guaranteed offer of permanent employment from a New Brunswick employer or a family supporter who is a citizen or permanent resident of New Brunswick. Business applicants must be willing and able to establish a business in New Brunswick and sign an agreement to settle permanently in New Brunswick.

Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program

The province of Newfoundland has created three categories under which you may qualify for the Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program. International students who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada may qualify under the category of International Graduates. The Family Connections category is for those who have family members in Canada that are either citizens or permanent residents living in Newfoundland and Labrador. For foreign workers with full-time job offers, the Skilled Worker category may be the way to go.

Each of these three categories has a different set of requirements which you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for the program.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program

The province of Nova Scotia offers a haven for many immigrants with several different options available under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program. The categories for this program include skilled workers, international graduates, family business workers, non-dependent adult children of nominees, agri-food sector, and community identified individuals. Click on the link provided below to read more about the requirements for each of these categories. If you believe you fit into any of these categories and are interested in a life full of great opportunities, you should consider the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program as your ticket to Canada.

Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program

The Northwest Territories offer four categories under which you may apply: Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker (Service & Hospitality Sector Occupations), Entrepreneur Business, and Self-Employed Business. Each of these categories comes with its own set of requirements so follow the link below to see if this program is the right fit for you.

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program

The province of Ontario has created an employer-driven program which requires that candidates have a permanent full-time job offer from an Ontario employer or a PhD. from a publicly funded Ontario University. There are three categories available under this program:

Ontario PNP General Category – for foreign workers with a full-time job offer and at least 2 years of work experience.
International Students – for students who have a job offer, a PhD, or a Master’s degree.
Investors – for individuals or companies looking to make an investment in the province of Ontario

If you fit into any of these three categories, you may qualify for fast-track processing of your immigration application. More detailed information about each of these categories and their respective requirements can be found on the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program page.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

Prince Edward Island has split their Nominee Program into seven (7) categories. If you are a worker, student or business owner who is interested in immigrating and settling in Prince Edward Island, you may fit into one of the following categories:

Skilled Workers Category – you must have a job offer in a skilled position along with education and training consistent with the position offered.
Critical Workers Category – you must have a job offer in one of the province’s in-demand occupations (follow the link below to see a list of these occupations).
International Graduates Category – you must have graduated from an full-time study at an accredited Canadian University or College within the past two years, have a minimum of six (6) months of work experience and a job offer in a skilled position.
Family Connections Category – if you have family members residing in Prince Edward Island for more than two years as Canadian permanent residents or citizens with a regular source of income and an unblemished personal history, your family may nominate you for this category as long as you are willing and able to work.
100% Business Ownership Category – you must meet all the requirements to establish and operate a business in Prince Edward Island (see link below for full list of requirements)
Partial Business Ownership Category – if you control more than 1/3 of the equity in the business and meet the other requirements to establish and operate a business, you may qualify for the program under this category.
Work Permits Category – you must be eligible and willing to apply for approval of a work permit for the Prince Edward Island business where you intend to work and invest and meet all the requirements to establish and operate a business in Prince Edward Island.

If you are interested in settling in Prince Edward Island and you feel that you qualify for one of the above listed categories, you may read further for details on the program and find out which of these categories is the best fit for you.

Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program

There is a choice of three categories you can apply to. You will also have to complete the federal application forms at the same time.

International Skilled Worker Category is for skilled workers abroad who want to work and live in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Experience Category is for foreign nationals who are currently living and working in Saskatchewan.
Entrepreneur and Farm Category is for those who want to invest and actively manage a Saskatchewan business or farm operation.

If you are interested in settling in Saskatchewan and you feel that you qualify for one of the above listed categories, you may read further for details on the program and find out which of these categories is the best fit for you.

Yukon Provincial Nominee Program

The province of Yukon has established the Yukon Provincial Nominee Program for entrepreneurs and skilled workers wishing to immigrate to the province. Entrepreneurs who wish to open or invest in a business in Yukon may qualify for the Business Program Category. The Skilled Workers Category is for individuals who have a full-time job offer from a Yukon employer in a skilled occupation.

Having an experienced legal counsel by your side will make the immigration process simple and headache-free. Wherever you are in the immigration process, we can help you move forward. If you have already submitted an application and received a refusal, we can assess your situation and assist you in re-applying.

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