Provincial Nominee Programs

Under Canada’s Constitution, the federal government and each province and territory share the authority to manage the country’s immigration system.

As such, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. The only exceptions are the Northern Canada territory of Nunavut and Quebec. Instead, the province of Quebec has the authority to establish its own selection criteria for economic immigration.

The main purpose of the PNP is to spread the benefits of immigration across Canada. Prior to the launch of the PNP in 1998, most of Canada’s immigrants settled in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Since 1998, however, Canada has seen a broader distribution of immigration across the country since the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) and Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) have enjoyed more success attracting immigrants thanks in large part to the PNP.

Each PNP has at least one immigration stream that is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Provincial nominations issued under these Express Entry-aligned streams are known as ‘enhanced nominations’. The benefits of enhanced PNP streams are that they award Express Entry candidates an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which essentially guarantee they will receive a permanent residence invitation under Express Entry. Another major benefit is they can have their permanent residence application processed by the federal government quicker, typically within six months. The other way to obtain permanent residence through the PNP is under a ‘base’ stream. Here, you apply to a PNP stream directly and once you obtain a provincial nomination, the federal government will process your permanent residence application.

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Alberta’s provincial immigration program consists of three streams: The Alberta Opportunity Stream, the Alberta Express Entry Stream, and the Self-Employed Farmer Stream. The province issues provincial nominations to foreign nationals who meet program-specific criteria and demonstrate an intention to reside in the prairie province.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

The BC PNP consists of the Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC and Entrepreneur Immigration Streams. These streams are divided into categories that target skilled workers, international graduates and other professionals with skills, experience and qualifications needed in B.C.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Manitoba’s provincial immigration program is comprised of streams designed to nominate skilled workers and their families who wish to work and live in the province permanently. The MPNP is currently undergoing renewal.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

The NBPNP is New Brunswick’s provincial immigration program with streams targeting entrepreneurs, international graduates, skilled workers with employer support and skilled workers in the federal government’s Express Entry selection system

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

The NLPNP accepts immigration applications from skilled workers, international graduates and entrepreneurs who meet program-specific criteria such as a job or job offer, intent to reside, and the ability to become economically established in the province.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

The NSNP is Nova Scotia’s program for the nomination of eligible skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs and professionals looking to settle permanently in the province. The program has various economic immigration streams with not one, but three streams aligned with Canada’s Express Entry system.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Through the OINP, Ontario nominates foreign workers, international students, business owners or entrepreneurs who have the skills, experience, education and intent to settle in the province as permanent residents.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

The PEI PNP is the island province’s economic immigration program for skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs who demonstrate the intention to live and work in PEI, and show the ability to become economically established in the province.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

The SINP is Saskatchewan’s dedicated immigration program for the selection and nomination of eligible foreign nationals through various pathways, including its leading International Skilled Worker: Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand categories.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

The Northwest Territories accepts economic immigration applications to settle in Northern Canada under two main streams – the Employer Driven and Business – one of which has three distinct streams, including an Express Entry-aligned stream for skilled workers

Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Yukon’s official provincial immigration program assists eligible employers in Canada’s northern territory to nominate internationally trained foreign workers and businesspeople for Canadian permanent residence.