Canada Provincial Nominee Residency (PNP)

The Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a skills- and business-based immigration pathway that allows provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence based on their ability to meet local labour market and economic needs.

There is no minimum investment threshold for most streams; eligibility is determined by skills, education, work experience, and, in some cases, a job offer or business plan.

Spouses or common-law partners and dependent children may be included in a permanent residence application once a nomination is obtained.

Qualification criteria vary by province, territory, and stream. Broadly, applicants must demonstrate one of the following:

Skills and Work Streams

Applicants must typically have the skills, education, and work experience required in the nominating province or territory, and in most cases must hold a full-time job offer from an eligible employer in that jurisdiction. Language requirements range from Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 to Level 7 depending on the occupational category and stream. A minimum of six to 12 months of relevant work experience is generally required.

Business and Entrepreneur Streams
Applicants must demonstrate the intent and financial ability to purchase, start, or invest in a business in the nominating province or territory. Some streams require that applicants have net business or personal assets above a specified threshold, which varies by jurisdiction.

The following 11 provinces and territories operate PNP streams:

• Alberta (Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, AAIP): streams for workers and entrepreneurs, including the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta Express Entry Stream, Tourism and Hospitality Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and four entrepreneur streams covering rural, graduate, farm, and foreign graduate applicants.

• British Columbia (BC Provincial Nominee Program, BC PNP): streams for skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.

• Manitoba (Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, MPNP): three streams covering skilled workers, international education graduates, and business investors.

• New Brunswick (New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program): streams for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and Express Entry candidates.

• Newfoundland and Labrador (NL Provincial Nominee Program, NLPNP): streams for Express Entry skilled workers, skilled workers, international graduates, international entrepreneurs, and international graduate entrepreneurs.

• Northwest Territories (Northwest Territories Nominee Program): an Employer-Driven Stream for workers with a job offer, a Business Stream for those opening or investing in a business, and a Francophone Stream.

• Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Nominee Program, NSNP): recently consolidated into streamlined pathways for workers and graduates.

• Ontario (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, OINP): nine streams covering foreign workers, international students, and business owners.

• Prince Edward Island (PEI Provincial Nominee Program, PEI PNP): streams including Critical Workers, Intermediate Experience, International Graduates, Occupations in Demand, PEI Express Entry, Skilled Workers in PEI, and Skilled Workers Outside Canada.

• Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, SINP): streams for international skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and farm owners.

• Yukon (Yukon Nominee Program, YNP): three streams based on occupational classification: Critical Impact Worker (TEER 4 and 5), Skilled Worker (TEER 0 to 3), and Express Entry, all requiring a full-time, year-round job offer from an eligible Yukon employer. A separate Yukon Business Nominee Program covers entrepreneurs.

Quebec and Nunavut do not participate in the PNP and operate separate federal immigration arrangements.

• Freedom of movement
• Increased visa-free travel
• English as official language
• Path to citizenship
• Permits dual/multiple citizenship
• Safety and security
• Enhanced business access to large economies

After obtaining permanent residence, an applicant may apply for Canadian citizenship after accumulating 1,095 days (3 years) of physical presence in Canada within the five years preceding the application.

Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must pass a knowledge test on Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols, and demonstrate adequate proficiency in English or French; those outside this age range are exempt from both requirements.

Canada permits dual citizenship.

Applications for provincial nominations may be directed to provincial immigration authorities. The federal permanent residence application is then managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Legislation upon which this program is based: Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27), Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227), Part 5, Division 1 (provincial nominees)