Provincial Nominee Program-PNP

How is PNP helpful?

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program has grown exponentially since its creation in the 1990s and now stands second only to the federal Express Entry system as the leading pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled foreign workers.

Recent draws have seen nominee streams in British Columbia (BC PNP), Alberta (AINP), Saskatchewan (SINP), Manitoba (MPNP), Ontario (OINP) and Nova Scotia (NSNP) issue more than 2,500 invitations to workers with a range of skills and professional experience to apply for a nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

The Provincial Nominee Program, or PNP, gives nine Canadian provinces and two territories the power to select immigrants who meet local labour market needs and priorities.

Quebec is the only Canadian province that does not take part in the PNP. It has a separate agreement with the federal government that gives it sole responsibility for the selection of economic-class immigrants.

What are the PNP routes? How is it linked to the Express Entry Program?

IRCC provides each province and territory with an annual allocation of nominations for Canadian permanent residence that is disbursed through streams tailored to their specific labour market needs.

Combined, the 11 provinces and territories that take part in Canada’s PNP have more than 70 nomination streams that range in focus from international graduates of local universities to workers with skills listed as in-demand in the province, among other examples. Each provincial nominee program also has at least one ‘enhanced’ nomination stream that targets candidates in the federal Express Entry system, which is Canada’s most important source of skilled foreign workers.

Express Entry manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three Federal Skilled immigration categories — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class. Eligible candidates in these three classes are entered into the Express Entry pool and are issued a score under what’s called the Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS.

The Government of Canada invites top-ranked candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence through periodic draws from the Express Entry pool, which typically occur every two weeks. Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score and move to the front of the line for an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

How to apply for PNP?

This information is for applicants to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) who are applying through Express Entry. If a province or territory nominates you through an Express Entry stream, it will be listed on your nomination certificate. You can confirm this with the province or territory.

There are two ways to apply:

You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under their Express Entry stream. If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated. You get a nomination through your account, which you accept electronically.

OR

You create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you are interested in. If a province or territory sends you a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly. You apply to their Express Entry stream. If you are nominated, they will offer it to you through your account, and you accept it electronically.

In both cases, you will need to create an Express Entry profile during the process, so you should do it right from the start.

What are the most popular PNPs?

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.

Most PNPs require applicants to have some connection to the province. They should have either worked earlier in that province or studied there. Or they should have a job offer from an employer in the province for a job visa. However, there are some PNPs which require no previous connection to the province you are applying for, you can apply directly to the PNP program of that province.

Canada offers nearly 80 different streams 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.

Considering these factors, here are the 3 best PNPs:

1. Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP):

The program offers a variety of categories and sub-categories to help individuals and families wanting to settle down in Canada.

To be eligible for the program:

• Candidates must have at least one year of experience in any of the jobs in Saskatchewan’s in-demand list of occupations
• They must have completed their education up to the post-secondary level
• Have proficiency in either English or French.

The Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker is aligned with the Express Entry program which creates the possibility of adding 600 points to your CRS and getting an ITA in subsequent Express Entry draws.

2. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The OINP offers three streams that are aligned to the Express Entry program. So, an OINP provincial nomination under any of these programs will add 600 points to your CRS score.

Among them is the Human Capital Priorities Stream. To apply under this program candidates must have a CRS score of 400 points or higher. There is the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream for candidates who proficiency in French ranging from intermediate to advanced levels. There is also the Skilled Trades Stream designed for candidates with experience of working in a trade-in Ontario.

3. Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP):

The Nova Scotia Immigration Program is aligned with the Express Entry system. Candidates with an active Express Entry profile are eligible to apply for this program. The NSNP offers two categories. Category A which requires candidates to have a job offer from an employer in the province. This could be a challenge for applicants from outside Canada. The other Category B does not have such a condition. The candidates are only required to have experience in any of the in-demand occupations in the province.