Provincial Nominee Program
The Canadian government has worked out an agreement in which the local provinces can nominate immigrants wishing to settle in their locality for a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada.
In order to obtain a PR Visa to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you must first choose the province or territory where you wish to live and go through its nomination process.
The province will then consider your application based on its needs and your genuine intention to settle there.
If you receive a provincial or territorial nomination for its PNP, you may then apply to the federal Canadian immigration agency for a PR Visa to Canada.
The following nine provinces and two territories
participate in the Provincial Nominee Program:
The Province of Quebec does not participate in the PNP, since it has its own points-based Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program. Foreign workers who want to live and work in the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec should apply for this Canadian immigration program instead.
General Requirements
Each of the PNPs has its own eligibility requirements, which has been developed in coordination with the federal Canadian immigration agency.
In general, a foreign worker applying to a PNP must satisfy several eligibility requirements which may include:
- Having a genuine desire to live and work in the province or territory that nominates him or her for its PNP
- Having an occupation and skills that are in-demand in the particular province or territory
- Possessing the necessary post-secondary education or training relevant for their in-demand occupation
- Having a certain level of English or French language abilities
- Meeting the good health criteria (each family member immigrating to Canada must have a medical exam)
- Being a person of “good character” (police certificates may be required)
- The main applicant may need to provide “Proof of Funds” to show the financial ability to support oneself and family in Canada
- There may be a requirement to have a “connection” to the province or territory (e.g., family living there; prior residence there; etc.)
PNP Procedure
The first step of the PNP procedure is to apply to the PNP of a province or territory where you want to live and work in Canada.
Before you are able to submit an application to immigrate to Canada, you must receive a provincial nomination certificate from the province or territory.
Please note that a foreign worker can apply for Canadian immigration through a PNP using the Express Entry system or by sending an application for a PNP to the relevant provincial or territorial officials.
Once you have been nominated, you will need to make a separate application to the federal Canadian immigration agency to receive a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
Decisions regarding a PNP application are based on:
- Meeting the eligibility criteria
- Sufficient funds to support yourself and your family in Canada
- Results of your medical exam
- Information on your police certificate
The federal Canadian immigration agency may contact you if they need more information or to possibly schedule a personal interview.
If your application is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR) and be asked to submit your passport to the Canadian visa office in order to receive your Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
After you immigrate to Canada, you and your family will live in the province or territory that nominated you for its PNP to begin new lives as Canadian permanent residents.
If you would like the authorized immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert to provide you with an eligibility assessment for the PNP and other immigration programs, click here!
