Provincial Nominee Program
This program is for workers who:
- have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
- want to live in that province, and
- want to become permanent residents of Canada
Each province and territory has its own rules and “streams” (immigration schemes that target specific populations). Provinces and territories may, for example, target the following in a programme stream:
- students
- business people
- skilled workers
- semi-skilled workers
Recognize the various application possibilities.
Which Provincial Nominee Program stream you apply to will determine how you apply. You may be required to apply either on paper or online using Express Entry.
You’ll need to pass a medical exam and a police check as part of the application process (certificate). These checks are required for everyone, regardless of where they wish to live in Canada.
In the paper-based process:
In a non-Express Entry stream, you apply to the province or territory for nomination.
You must meet the province’s eligibility standards before being nominated.
You must file a written application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada once you have been nominated.
You must pass a medical checkup and a background check (certificate). No matter where you plan to live in Canada, you must have these checks.
The time it takes to process an application is longer than it is with Express Entry.
In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:
- You apply for a nomination under the Express Entry stream by contacting the province or territory.
- If a province or territory agrees to nominate you, you must build an Express Entry profile (or update an existing profile) and prove that you have been nominated. OR
- You create an Express Entry profile and indicate which provinces and territories you want to visit.
- You should contact a province or territory directly if they send you a “notice of interest” to your account.
- You apply to their Express Entry programme, and if you’re selected, the province will send you an offer through your account, which you must accept online.
