FAQs for the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)

FAQ – Provincial Nomination Program

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for the Provincial Nomination Program in Canada and some important information to consider if you are applying under this program for permanent residency in Canada. The Provincial Nomination Program is an economic immigration program that assists provinces to meet their labour market needs. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for under this program, I suggest you read our article on “Move to Canada with Provincial Nominee Program” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to the Provincial Nomination Program in Canada.

Q: What is the Provincial Nominee Program?

A: Created by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Provincial Nominee Programs were intended to allow Canada’s different provinces and territories with the opportunity to hand-pick individuals who show an interest in settling in that particular province or territory. Essentially, these foreign individuals will also have the chance to contribute to that province to territory’s economic development and labour market needs.

It is important to note that most, but not all, provinces and territories participate in this program.

Q: Which provinces and territories participate in the Provincial Nominee Program?

A: The following provinces and territories participate in the Provincial Nominee Program:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Q: I noticed that Quebec is not listed; does Quebec not participate in the Provincial Nominee Program?

A: That is a very good observation. No, Quebec does not participate in the Provincial Nominee Program. The province of Quebec has a separate agreement with the Canadian government that permits the province to select individuals that show an interest in residing in Quebec. Keep in mind, the province of Quebec is the only province in Canada that has the authority to determine the individuals that are selected, outside of the Provincial Nominee Program. Furthermore, this is essentially because Quebec has its own set of immigration selection criteria.

Q: Am I required to go through the Provincial Nominee Program in order to immigrate to Canada?

A: No, you do not have to go through the Provincial Nominee Program in order to immigrate to Canada. Although, it is a viable option if you are interested in and intend to reside in a specific province. You have the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in Canada through a variety of different immigration programs, such as Express Entry or a Spousal Sponsorship. However, it is important to determine whether you are eligible for these specific programs prior to applying.

Q: Are there any benefits to applying for the Provincial Nominee Program?

A: Yes, there are definitely benefits to applying for the Provincial Nominee Program. In most cases, an applicant can gain an additional 600 points toward immigrating to Canada. However, this differs based on the province or territory that you are applying to. The Provincial Nominee Program also offers another way of qualifying a potential candidate for Canadian immigration and permanent residency. This program is different from the Federal Skilled Worker category of Canadian Immigration.

Q: Where do I submit my application for the Provincial Nominee Program?

A: Where you submit your application for the Provincial Nominee Program depends on which province or territory you intend on applying for. Therefore, you must submit your application to the appropriate provincial or territorial government office. This must be done prior to submitting an application for permanent residency.

Q: How does the Provincial Nominee Program work in conjunction with the Express Entry immigration selection system?

As aforementioned, provinces and territories select individuals to immigrate in order to meet local and provincial labour market needs. This selection process is completed through the Express Entry system; therefore, they work in conjunction with each other. It is important to note that these selections of the Provincial Nominee Program are referred to as “enhanced” nominations.

Furthermore, candidates who are selected by these provinces and territories from within the Express Entry pool are ultimately rewarded with an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. The possible amount of points that a candidate can obtain is 1,200. Once the additional 600 points are added to the candidate’s human capital and skills transferability points, it will most often result in an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This invitation will be at the next draw from the Express Entry pool.

Keep in mind, candidates can either apply through Express Entry first and then become nominated by a province or territory or vice versa.

Q: If I get nominated by a province or territory, does this guarantee that I will receive permanent residency in Canada?

A: Unfortunately, being nominated by a province or territory does not guarantee that you will receive permanent residency in Canada. The reason being is because you must also meet the statutory requirements to apply for permanent residency. For instance, you must show health, security and other important documents in order for the Immigration officer to determine whether you qualify and are approved for permanent residency.

Contact Akrami & Associates

Should you have any further questions or feel confused or unclear about how to apply for the provincial nominee program, it is important to talk about any questions you may have and discuss your concerns. By talking to immigration professionals about your concerns, this will ease your worries and assist with the application process. Many immigration applications are difficult to pursue on your own and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients obtain permanent residency through the Provincial Nomination Program. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!