Provincial Nominee Programs
Canada's Provincial Nominee Program: Your Path to Permanent Residence
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on their specific labor market and economic needs. Each province and territory operates its own PNP with streams tailored to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other individuals who can contribute to the local economy. Some PNP streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry system, while others operate independently.
How Does the PNP Work?
Provinces and territories set specific criteria to nominate individuals who are interested in settling and working in that region.
The PNP operates through two main streams:
- Express Entry-Linked Streams– Provinces nominate candidates who are already in the Express Entry pool. These candidates receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
- Non-Express Entry Streams– Candidates apply directly to a province’s PNP. If nominated, they can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
PNP Programs by Province & Territory
Each province and territory has its own streams targeting different types of applicants, such as skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates. Below is a breakdown of the PNP programs available in each province:
1. Ontario – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Ontario Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- Masters Graduate Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
Learn more about OINP
Occupations in demand In Ontario:
- NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
- NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
- NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21211 – Data scientists
- NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
2. British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Skills Immigration Stream (For skilled workers, healthcare professionals, and graduates)
- Express Entry BC Stream (For Express Entry candidates)
- Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (For business investors)
- Tech Pilot (Targeted at technology professionals)
- Healthcare Professional Stream (For doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers)
- International Post-Graduate Stream (For graduates with degrees in science and healthcare fields)
Learn more about BC PNP
Occupations in demand In BC:
- NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
- NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- Other healthcare-related NOCs
3. Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Alberta Express Entry Stream (Express Entry-linked)
- Alberta Opportunity Stream (For in-demand workers in Alberta)
- Rural Renewal Stream (For workers in rural Alberta communities)
- Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (For international graduates from Alberta institutions)
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (For foreign graduates outside Canada)
- Farm Stream (For experienced farmers who want to establish a farm in Alberta)
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream (For entrepreneurs starting a business in rural Alberta)
Learn more about AAIP
Occupations in demand In Alberta:
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 44101 – Home support workers
- NOC 63200 – Cooks
- NOC 75110 – Transport truck drivers
4. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Skilled Workers in Manitoba (For workers with job offers in Manitoba)
- Skilled Workers Overseas (For candidates with ties to Manitoba)
- International Education Stream (For Manitoba graduates)
- Business Investor Stream (For entrepreneurs and investors)
Learn more about MPNP
Occupations in demand In Manitoba:
- In-demand occupations across skilled trades, healthcare, and education
- Specific NOCs not disclosed in latest draw
5. Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities (For Express Entry candidates in targeted occupations)
- Labour Market Priorities for Physicians (For doctors)
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry (For skilled workers with Canadian experience)
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry (For skilled workers in in-demand jobs)
- Skilled Worker Stream (For workers with job offers)
- Occupations in Demand Stream (For intermediate-skilled workers)
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (For international students starting businesses)
- Entrepreneur Stream (For business investors)
Learn more about NSNP
Occupations in Demand in Nova Scotia:
NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101– Specialists in surgery
- NOC 33102– Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- NOC 65200– Food and beverage servers
- NOC 65201– Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations
- NOC 65310– Light duty cleaners
- NOC 73300– Transport truck drivers
- NOC 73400– Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 75110– Construction trades helpers and labourers
- NOC 31102– General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31100– Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101– Specialists in surgery
6. Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- International Skilled Worker: Express Entry
- International Skilled Worker: Occupations In-Demand
- International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer
- Saskatchewan Experience Category (For workers in Saskatchewan)
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category
Learn more about SINP
Occupations in demand In Saskatchewan:
- NOC 21120– Public and environmental health and safety professionals
- NOC 22232– Occupational health and safety specialists
- NOC 70010– Construction managers
- NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 80020– Managers in agriculture
- NOC 21300– Civil engineers
- NOC 21301– Mechanical engineers
- NOC 21310– Electrical and electronics engineers
- NOC 21321– Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- NOC 21231– Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21233– Web designers and developers
- NOC 31200– Psychologists
- NOC 42201– Social and community service workers
- NOC 42202– Early childhood educators and assistants
- NOC 32122– Medical sonographers
- NOC 10022– Advertising, marketing, and public relations managers
- NOC 40030– Managers in social, community, and correctional services
- NOC 11101– Financial and investment analysts
- NOC 11201– Professional occupations in business management consulting
- NOC 22100– Chemical technologists and technicians
- NOC 22101– Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
- NOC 21110– Biologists and related scientists
- NOC 21112– Agricultural representatives, consultants, and specialists
- NOC 22114– Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
- NOC 22300– Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22310– Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- NOC 22311– Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
- NOC 22312– Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- NOC 22212– Drafting technologists and technicians
- NOC 70012– Facility operation and maintenance managers
- NOC 63201– Meat cutters
- NOC 72100– Machinists
- NOC 72311– Cabinetmakers
- NOC 72400– Industrial mechanics
- NOC 72401– Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics
- NOC 72411– Motor vehicle body repairers
- NOC 72106– Welders
- NOC 80010– Managers in natural resources production and fishing
- NOC 90010– Manufacturing managers
- NOC 90011– Utility managers
7. Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- PEI Express Entry Stream (For Express Entry candidates)
- Labour Impact Category (For workers with job offers)
- Business Impact Category (For entrepreneurs)
Learn more about PEI PNP
Occupations in demand In PEI:
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 73401 – General farm workers
- NOC 94140 – Industrial butchers and meat cutters
- NOC 75110 – Transport truck drivers
- NOC 96199 – Labourers in food processing
8. New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- New Brunswick Express Entry Stream (For Express Entry candidates)
- Skilled Workers Stream (For workers with job offers in NB)
- Strategic Initiative Stream (For French-speaking candidates)
- Business Immigration Stream (For entrepreneurs)
Learn more about NBPNP
Occupations in Demand in New Brunswick:
- NOC 31301– Registered Nurses
- NOC 32101– Licensed Practical Nurses
- NOC 32120– Medical Laboratory Technologists
- NOC 33102– Health Care Aides
- NOC 44101– Home Support Workers & Housekeepers
- NOC 32102– Paramedical Occupations
- NOC 42201– Social and Community Services Workers
- NOC 41221– Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers
- NOC 43100– Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants
- NOC 41220– Secondary School Teachers
- NOC 41210– College and Other Vocational InstructorsMarket Information Nova
- NOC 42202– Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
- NOC 41320– Educational Counselors
9. Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- Express Entry Skilled Worker (For Express Entry candidates)
- Skilled Worker Category (For workers with job offers)
- International Graduate Category (For recent graduates from Newfoundland institutions)
- International Entrepreneur Category (For experienced business owners)
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category (For business graduates)
- Priority Skills NL (For high-demand occupations)
Learn more about NLPNP
Occupations in demand in Newfoundland:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Physicians:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
- Clinical Psychologist
- Medical Physicist
- Radiation Therapist
- Dosimetrist
- Software Developer
- Biomedical Engineer
- UI/UX Developer
- Electrical Engineer
- AI Developer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Python Developer
- Web Developer
- .NET Developer
- Infrastructure Engineer
10. Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Express Entry Stream (For Express Entry candidates)
- Skilled Worker Stream (For workers in in-demand jobs)
- Entry-Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations (For lower-skilled workers)
- Entrepreneur Business Stream (For business owners)
Learn more about NTNP
Occupations in Demand in NTNP:
- NOC 82020– Mining Supervisor
- NOC 21330– Mining Engineer
- NOC 21102– Geologist
- NOC 73400– Heavy Equipment Operator
- NOC 21120– Environmental Technician
- NOC 21120– Environmental Health Officer
- NOC 70010– Senior Project Manager (Construction)
- NOC 41407– Government Policy Analyst
- NOC 41300– Social Worker
11. Yukon – Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
- Express Entry Stream
- Skilled Worker Program
- Critical Impact Worker Program (For semi-skilled workers)
- Business Nominee Program
Learn more about https://yukon.ca/en/immigrate-yukon
How Provinces Select Candidates
Each Canadian province and territory (except Quebec and Nunavut) has its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to select candidates who meet their labor market and economic needs. The selection process varies by program, but provinces generally nominate candidates based on factors like skills, work experience, education, and job offers.
1. Express Entry-Linked PNP Streams (Nomination through Express Entry)
Some provinces select candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. This process involves:
- Provinces searching the Express Entry system for candidates with relevant skills, work experience, and education.
- Issuing a Notification of Interest (NOI) to selected candidates.
- Candidates accepting the NOI and submitting a provincial nomination application.
- If nominated, 600 CRS points are added to the candidate’s Express Entry profile, almost guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
2. Employer-Driven PNP Streams (Job Offer Required)
Some provinces require a valid job offer from a local employer to select candidates.
- Employers in the province identify skilled workers needed for their business.
- The candidate applies to the PNP with a job offer from the employer.
- If the province approves, a nomination certificate is issued, allowing the candidate to apply for PR.
3. Occupation-In-Demand Streams (No Job Offer Required in Some Cases)
Many provinces have occupation-based PNP streams that target workers in high-demand professions like healthcare, IT, and construction.
- Provinces publish lists of in-demand occupations based on labor market needs.
- Candidates apply directly to the PNP, showing their skills match provincial demands.
- If nominated, they apply for permanent residence through IRCC.
4. International Graduate Streams (For Students in Canada)
Many provinces prioritize international students who have graduated from Canadian institutions.
- Graduates from eligible institutions apply for a PNP without needing work experience in some provinces.
- Some provinces require graduates to have a job offer from an employer.
5. Entrepreneur and Investor PNP Streams
Provinces also nominate entrepreneurs and investors willing to start or buy a business in Canada.
- Candidates submit a business proposal and investment plan.
- If approved, they receive a temporary work permit to establish the business.
- After meeting investment and job creation requirements, they receive a provincial nomination for PR.
6. Community-Driven & Rural Immigration Streams
Some provinces focus on attracting immigrants to rural areas that need workers.
- Local communities recommend candidates to the province.
- Candidates must agree to live and work in the community for a set period.
How to Increase Your Chances of Selection?
- Create an Express Entry Profile (if eligible) to get noticed by provinces.
- Gain a job offer from an employer in a province that offers employer-driven PNPs.
- Target in-demand occupations by applying to provinces with labor shortages.
- Study in Canada and apply through a graduate stream.
- Invest in a business if you’re an entrepreneur.
