Canada Provincial Nominee Program

The Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) enables provinces and territories to nominate individuals interested in immigrating to Canada and settling in a specific province, with the exception of Nunavut in Northern Canada and Quebec. Quebec, on the other hand, has the authority to establish its own selection criteria for economic immigration.

The primary objective of the PNP is to distribute the benefits of immigration evenly across Canada. Since 1998, immigration has been more evenly distributed across the country, with the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) and the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) experiencing greater success in attracting immigrants, largely due to the PNP.

Each PNP includes at least one immigration stream that aligns with the federal Express Entry selection system. Nominations issued under these Express Entry-aligned streams are referred to as “enhanced nominations.” These streams offer several advantages, including an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for Express Entry candidates, guaranteeing them an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Another significant benefit is that their permanent residence application can be processed by the federal government within approximately six months. The alternative way to obtain permanent residence through the PNP is through a “base” stream, where applicants apply directly to a PNP stream. Once a provincial nomination is obtained, the federal government processes the permanent residence application.

Canada PNP Streams

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)