Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
If you fall short of federal canadian immigration programs eligibility requirements, one of over 80 Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) may lead you to successful path to permanent residence in Canada. Unlike federal express entry programs that require skill level or type 0, A or B (High-skilled jobs), PNPs may offer programs for candidates in Skill Type C or D (intermediate or low-skilled jobs), lower score of language proficiency and lower education requirements, among other lower eligibility requirements.
Each of Canada’s ten provinces (except Quebec, with its own immigration system) and two territories (Nunavut does not have a PNP) operates its own PNP program with the control to establish own selection criteria, quota and the ability to change or terminate the program in view of the changing economic and demographic needs in their jurisdiction. Each of these province/territory-specific program serves as an umbrella group for several immigration streams. Altogether PNPs offer over 80 immigration streams or pathways.
PNP applications are processed in one of the two streams:
Paper-Based (Base Nomination Stream)
Application are submitted to the province or territory to seek nomination outside of the Express Entry system. If nominated, the candidate submits a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The PR processing time for paper-based nominees are longer compared to the federal Express Entry system.
Express Entry (Enhanced Nomination Stream)
Majority of provinces and territories have at least one stream in their PNP that is linked to the Express Entry system. You can apply using federal or provincial system:
Federal Express Entry System
You can create an Express Entry Profile by meeting the requirements of one of the three federal programs it covers, which means scoring 67 points out of 100 based on factors such as age, English/French language fluency, level of education qualification, work experience, adaptability and arranged employment.
You can apply for one or all PNP programs via your Express Entry profile. Provincial immigration officers intermittently review Express Entry profiles. If your interest in their province or territory and your profile match their selection criteria, they will send you a “notification of interest”, which serves as an invitation to apply to the province directly via provincial Express Entry system. If the province approves your application, you receive a Nomination Certificate and add it to your Express Entry profile to add 600 additional points in the CRS score boosting your chances to apply for Permanent Residence.
Provincial Expression of Interest (EOI) System
Many Canadian provinces maintain an online Expression of Interest system. The candidates fill out an online form to indicate their interest in that province and list their qualifications. The province then evaluates these Expressions of Interest based on their eligibility and selection requirements using points system. The highest-scoring candidates are issued Invitations to Apply directly to the province. If the province approves their application, candidates will receive a Certificate of Nomination.
Once you receive a provincial Certificate of Nomination, you need to apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence, which is second stage of immigration process and approval.
