Provincial Nominee Program
Overview
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets participating provinces and territories nominate people whose skills match local labour needs. Quebec and Nunavut do not use the PNP. There are two federal application routes after a nomination: Express Entry–aligned (enhanced) streams, which add 600 CRS points and usually produce a fast invitation, and non–Express Entry (base) streams, which use a separate IRCC paper/online PR application. Each province sets its own streams, occupation lists, and intake windows — criteria change often.
Eligibility Requirements
- Meet the specific stream rules of the province or territory where you intend to live (job offer, occupation, work, study, or language as that stream requires)
- Want to settle in the nominating province or territory
- For enhanced (Express Entry) streams: also meet a federal Express Entry program (typically FSW or CEC)
- For base streams: meet the provincial stream without needing Express Entry eligibility
- Be admissible to Canada
- Quebec and Nunavut do not operate PNP streams
Application Process
Research current streams on the province or territory website — intakes and occupation lists change
Submit an expression of interest or application to the province if the stream is open
If nominated through an Express Entry stream, create or update your federal profile; a nomination adds 600 CRS points
Receive an Invitation to Apply (enhanced) or apply to IRCC through the non–Express Entry PNP process (base)
Lodge the federal permanent residence application with the nomination certificate and supporting documents
Complete medical, police, and biometrics requirements
If approved, become a permanent resident — you are expected to reside in the nominating province
Processing Time
Provincial decision first, then federal PR processing — combined time is often longer than Express Entry alone
Based on current DHA estimates
Application Costs
Key Tips
- A nomination is not permanent residence — you still need IRCC to approve the federal PR application
- Enhanced PNP is usually faster because 600 CRS points typically clear Express Entry cut-offs
- Job offers no longer add CRS points (since 25 March 2025), but many PNP streams still require a local job offer
- Do not treat blog round-ups as current law — always confirm stream status on the official provincial site and canada.ca
- If you are targeting Atlantic Canada, also compare the Atlantic Immigration Program, which is a separate employer-driven federal pathway
- Use the province-by-province nomination hub to compare enhanced vs base streams, then confirm the live rules on the official provincial site