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Canadian Provincial Nominee Program : PNP Canada Guide (2022)

PNP Canada Guide (2021)
Chapter 1

Canadian PNPs Overview

What is a PNP and how do PNPs work?

A Provincial Nominee Programme or PNP for short, is an excellent alternative pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence (the usual way is the Canadian Skilled Worker Visa). PNPs allow the provinces and territories of Canada to nominate applicants who wish to immigrate to Canada and are interesting in working in a particular province. This way, provinces get to select applicants and skilled workers depending on their needs. This ensures that immigration and its benefits are distributed evenly across the country.

What are the advantages of a PNP?

  • Unable to get Skilled worker VISA?

    PNPs are of immense help to those who are unable to meet the minimum requirements of the aforementioned Canadian Skilled Worker Visa.  

  • Low CRS Score?

    Those who do not have enough CRS Scores (Comprehensive Ranking System), are not invited to apply in the final stage of Express Entry Pool. If they apply for a PNP, the provinces peruse the Express Entry Pool, pick applicants who are able to meet their unique demographic and economic needs, and award them 600 points in the CRS. This enables the applicant to qualify for the final stage to Canadian Permanent Residence in that particular province. 

  • Additional CRS Points

    To put it simply, if you are selected for a PNP through the Express Entry System after applying, you will be awarded an additional 600 CRS Points, which practically guarantees your Canadian Permanent Residence Invitation to apply. The PNP is doing this because they believe you are a skilled worker or resource that can help their province grow in some specific way. 

  • Fast Processing

    Another advantage, is that your Canadian Permanent Residence is processed within 6 months by the Federal government, solely because of the PNP pathway. PNPs are one of the fastest ways to obtain Canadian Permanent Residence. 

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What are the selection criteria for PNPs?

Here’s where things get interesting. Every province and every territory have unique labour, economic and demographic needs as mentioned earlier. Naturally, the selection criteria vary depending on the PNP you choose. Are there any general criteria that we need to keep in mind? Yes: 

  1. You need to have the necessary skills, work experience and educational background stipulated by the PNP you choose. 
  2. You must have a genuine interest in that particular province, with valid reasons to back up your claim. 
  3. This one is a no-brainer – you need to want to become a permanent resident of Canada. That’s why we’re here aren’t we? 

A clarification: You might come to the conclusion that PNPs are only for skilled workers. It is not so. Every province has its own immigration stream, and these streams are designed for 

  • Students 
  • Skilled workers 
  • Semi-skilled workers 
  • Business-oriented professionals 

How many PNPs are there?

There are more than 80 PNPs which account for 13 Canadian Provinces and Territories. 

So how do I apply for a PNP? How does the PNP process work?

There are two ways through which one can apply for a PNP:

  • The Express Entry Process 
  • the Paper-based process.  

The Express Entry Pathway

 There are two ways within this pathway as well. 

  1. Create an Express Entry Profile and submit it to the IRCC.
  2. Go through various PNPs and ensure you meet their eligibility criteria.
  3. Select the provinces and territories you are interested in.
  4. The province officials will go through your application, and send you a notification of interest. 
  5. You apply to the Express Entry Stream. 
  6. The province officials will go through your application, and nominate you if you meet their requirements and qualifications. The nomination will award you 600 CRS points. 
  7. Submit your Canadian Permanent Residence Application to the IRCC. 
  8. Obtain a Police Clearance and Medical Clearance Certificate.
  9. Receive approval from the IRCC for your Canadian Permanent Residence Landing. 

OR 

  1. Choose a particular PNP. 
  2. Peruse the eligibility criteria for the PNP and check if you meet their requirements. 
  3. Apply to the given PNP Stream. 
  4. The province officials will go through your application, and nominate you if you meet their requirements and qualifications. The nomination will award you 600 CRS points.
  5. After receiving the nomination, create an Express Entry Profile and submit it to the IRCC on their website. Your Express Entry Profile needs to mention that you have been nominated under this PNP by this province/territory. 
  6. The IRCC will send you an invitation to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. 
  7. Submit your Canadian Permanent Residence Application to the IRCC. 
  8. Obtain a Police Clearance and Medical Clearance Certificate.
  9. Receive approval from the IRCC for your Canadian Permanent Residence Landing. 

The Paper Entry Pathway

This pathway is very similar to the second version of the Express Entry Pathway, except that the Canadian Permanent Residence application is submitted through paper. 

  1. Choose a particular PNP. 
  2. Peruse the eligibility criteria for the PNP and check if you meet their requirements. 
  3. Apply to the given PNP Stream. 
  4. The province officials will go through your application, and nominate you if you meet their requirements and qualifications. The nomination will award you 600 CRS points.
  5. After receiving the nomination, apply for permanent residence by sending a paper application to the IRCC.  
  6. Pass a medical exam and go through a police check. 
  7. Receive approval from the IRCC for your Canadian Permanent Residence Landing. 

Keep in mind that the Paper Entry Pathway takes way longer than the Express Entry Pathway. There is the additional risk of a physical application being damaged or lost in some way. We recommend you apply for the Express Entry Pathway should you choose to go for a PNP. Some PNPs may require you to apply only for the Express Entry Pathway or the Paper route. Make sure you are eligible for the PNP’s criteria and the Express Entry Criteria. We will be covering some of the most important and popular PNPs as we progress. 

A note: The cost for applying to a PNP and the PNPs eligibility criteria vary according to the selected PNP. We will be covering them in depth. 

Let us now dive into various PNPs’ eligibility criteria. Most of the streams are aligned with Express Entry, so do check out our Express Entry page for necessary scores, documents and procedure. 

Chapter 2

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Ontario PNP

Ontario is one of the most popular provinces that immigrants choose to land in due to the fact that Toronto, the capital city of Canada, lies within the province. The capital is the central hub of Canada’s affairs and economy.

What are the streams offered within the Ontario PNP?

The OINP is naturally one of the most sought after PNPs in the country. Tech/IT personnel can go for this PNP as it is advantageous to them. The others can also apply. It offers several immigration streams split across 3 broad categories – 

Ontario Human Capital:

This stream targets candidates for Ontario’s labour force, with emphasis on skills and experience. Proficiency in French and English and work or educational experience are split across sub-streams, where one can apply depending on their profile. A PhD candidate will go across a different sub-stream compared to a French-speaking Skilled worker. 

Ontario Job Offer (Employee) :

The essence of this stream is that you need to have a valid job offer from an employer in Ontario. The sub-streams include international students with job offers, foreign workers and in-demand skills workers. The applicant must also meet the criteria of the OINP. 

Ontario Business :

This stream is designed for those wealthy investors and entrepreneurs/corporations looking to invest or practice business in the province. The applicants need to have records of past successful endeavours, and are allowed to launch businesses in the province. Should the project be successful, they are nominated for Canadian Permanent Residence. 

To sum it up, here are the various immigration programmes within the OINP: 

  • International Student with a Job-Offer stream / International Students Stream
  • International PhD Student stream 
  • General Category 
  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker
  • Corporate Stream 
  • Investor/Entrepreneur Stream 
  • Human Capital Stream 
  • International Masters Students (Pilot Program) 

Ontario PNP/ OINP Eligibility Criteria

Based on the list of various streams above, it should be clear that every stream has different requirements and eligibility criteria. A candidate applying for an International Student stream is obviously different from an applicant for the Corporate Stream. 

However, there are certain general criteria that must be kept in mind: 

  1. You must be willing to stay and work in Ontario. 
  2. You must have a CRS score of 400 or higher. 
  3. You must have relevant work experience / educational qualification in order to be eligible for the chosen stream. 
  4. If you are applying for a job, you must have a full-time job offer (NOC 0, A or B) for an employer in Ontario. 
  5. Minimum scores of CLB 7 in English or CLB 7 in French.
  6. Equivalent of a Canadian Bachelor’s degree or above.
  7. Active Express Entry Profile.

For more information regarding the various streams in the OINP and their individual criteria, head on here.  

Chapter 3

Alberta Immigration Nominee Programme – AINP

Alberta is known for its beauty, for being the centre of agricultural production and its vast oil reserves. It hosts the cities of Calgary and Edmonton as well. 

Alberta’s Immigration Streams:

Alberta offers 3 broad immigration streams – 

We have represented the following in the form of a table based on our research.

 

Major immigration program

Sub-streams of the immigration program

Who can apply?

Eligibility criteria

The self-employed farmer stream

There are no sub-streams for this program.

Whomsoever displays the interest to own and farm land.

1. Proof of funds (in Canadian dollars):
2. Investment fund - $ 500,000
3. Net worth - $ 500,000
4. Proof of education, work experience, and training in farming
5. Viable business and investment plan
6. Proof of Canadian financial organization backing the proposed farming plan.

       
 

Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Whomsoever has a permanent, full-time job offer.

1. Particular requirements of the applied industry
2. Valid work permit
3. Language skill results
4. Degree equivalent to high school

The employer-driven stream

Skilled-Worker Category

Whomsoever has a permanent, full-time job offer

1. Proof of education, work experience, training, and certification
2. Intent to live and work in Alberta permanently
3. Valid work permit

 

International Graduate Category

Graduates who have received a degree from a post-secondary institution or university in Canada

Whomsoever has a permanent, full-time job offer.

1. Intent to live and work in Alberta permanently
2. Valid postgraduate work permit
3. Must work for the same employer who nominates for the AINP
4. Minimum time of course – 1 year
5. If the occupation is NOC C, language skill results are needed

       
 

Engineering Occupations Category

Engineers, Designers and Drafters

1. Intent to live and work in Alberta
2. At least 2 years of working with an Alberta employer or currently working with one
3. Work experience or education in the field

The strategic recruitment stream

Compulsory and Optional Trades Category

Foremen, Tradespersons, and supervisors

1. Intent to live and work in Alberta
2. Valid work permit
3. Recognized Trade Certificate or Alberta Qualification Certificate
4. At least 6 months within the last 3 years of working with an Alberta employer or currently working

 

Post-Graduate Worker Category

Graduates who have received a degree from a post-secondary institution in Alberta

1. Intent to live and work in Alberta
2. Valid postgraduate work permit
3. Must work for the same employer who nominates for the AINP
4. Minimum time of course – 1 year
5. The job must be listed under NOC A, C, B or 0
6. If the occupation is NOC C, language skill results are needed

Source: kansaz.in

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Alberta PNP / AINP Eligibility Criteria

Similar to the OINP, there are certain general criteria that must be kept in mind: 

  1. You must be willing to stay and work in Ontario. 
  2. You must have a CRS score of 300 or higher. 
  3. You must have relevant work experience / educational qualification in order to be eligible for the chosen stream. 
  4. If you are applying for a job, you must have a full-time job offer (NOC 0, A or B) for an employer in Ontario. 
  5. Active Express Entry Profile.

For more information regarding the various streams in the AINP and their individual criteria, head on here.

Chapter 4

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program - SINP

SINP Streams

Saskatoon and Regina are two major cities located in this agriculture-oriented province. The offer 3 broad immigration streams – 

  1. Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker – This stream has 3 sub-streams under it. The first one is the Express Entry as per the usual guidelines. The second is the Saskatchewan Employment Offer, where an employer from the province targets workers and offers them a permanent, full-time job offer. The last stream is for skilled workers who can join the labour or work force. This depends on any shortages a particular sector is facing within the province. 
  2. Saskatchewan Experience – This stream is focussed on those individuals who have prior work experience in Saskatchewan. To continue working in the province, workers from have an offer of employment from an employer in Saskatchewan. The 5 sub-streams target – health professionals, long-haul truck drivers, students, workers with existing work permits, and the hospitality sector workers.
  3. Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm – This stream targets entrepreneurs and investors with successful business management skills and experience, who are looking to practice business in Saskatchewan. The two sub-streams within, target – investors who are looking to launch business endeavours in a range of sectors within the province, and entrepreneurs looking to target the farm owner and operator stream. 

To sum it up, here are the various immigration programmes within the SINP: 

  • Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker – Express Entry 
  • Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer 
  • Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker – In-Demand Occupation 
  • Saskatchewan Experience – Health Professional 
  • Saskatchewan Experience – Long-haul Truck Drivers 
  • Saskatchewan Experience – Students 
  • Saskatchewan Experience – Existing Work Permits 
  • Saskatchewan Experience – Hospitality Sector 
  • Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm – Entrepreneurs and Investors
  • Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm – Farm Owners and Operators 
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SINP Eigibility Criteria

Saskatchewan has a point system, where an applicant needs to have a minimum of 60 points to be eligible to apply.

 

Factors

Maximum Points

Language Skills

20

Work Experience

25

Training and Education

23

Connection and Adaptability

30

Age

12

  • Minimum 60 points in the above point system. 
  • Your NOC must be in demand within the province. 
  • CLB 4 in IELTS. 
  • You can also opt for the Express Entry route, with its usual prerequisites. 

For more information regarding the various streams in the SINP and their individual criteria, head on here.

Chapter 5

Nova Scotia Nominee Program – NSNP

Nova Scotia’s PNPs are unique and numerous. The province is located on the Eastern Coast of Canada. We will be covering the various sub-streams offered under the NSNP below. 

Nova Scotia – Demand – Express Entry :

If you’re a skilled individual who can contribute to the economy, and either have a job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia or work experience in an in-demand occupation in Nova Scotia, then you are eligible to apply under this stream. It is aligned with Express Entry, so you need to create an Express Entry Profile. 

Nova Scotia – Experience – Express Entry :

Similar to the program above, this stream targets skilled individuals with at least 1 year of work experience in a high-skilled occupation. It is aligned with Express Entry, so you need to create an Express Entry Profile. 

Nova Scotia – International Graduate Entrepreneur :

This stream allows those graduates of Nova Scotian Universities who have bought or started a business endeavour, and operated it for one year, to settle in Nova Scotia permanently through a nomination from the province. Complicated, isn’t it? : P  

Nova Scotia – In-demand occupations :

 These sub-streams are subjective to each province. Definitely read up on the official website of the NSNP before applying. Similar to most in-demand occupations sub-streams, you must hold an offer of employment from an employer in Nova Scotia. 

Nova Scotia – Entrepreneur :

 This sub-stream targets entrepreneurs or investors looking to manage and start a business endeavor in Nova Scotia. They must have successful experience in managing a business and must be willing to start the aforementioned business or purchase the same for 1 year, post which, they can be nominated for Canadian Permanent Residence. 

Nova Scotia – Skilled Worker :

 Similar to most skilled-worker programmes, you must hold a job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia. The jobs are according to the needs of the province. 

Nova Scotia – Labor Market Priorities :

 This stream is only for those individuals who are highly skilled with prior work experience. These are for high-demand jobs and roles in the province. The sub-stream is aligned with Express Entry. 

Nova Scotia – Physicians :

 You must hold a valid job offer from the Nova Scotian healthcare industry or organization.  

Nova Scotia – Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or AIPP:

 This program is aimed at those applicants who have obtained a valid job offer from employers in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. It is a growth initiative managed between these provinces and the federal government of Canada.  

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Nova Scotia PNP / NSNP Eligibility Criteria

We can see that the eligibility varies according to the chosen PNP. A more general guideline is as follows: 

  1. Language Skill – English or French. 
  2. A genuine interest to live in Nova Scotia permanently.
  3. A high skill rate in a particular profession according to the NSNP. 
  4. The rest vary according to the chosen PNP. 
  5. Express Entry Profile. 

For more information regarding the various streams in the NSNP and their individual criteria, head on here. 

Chapter 6

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program or MPNP

Manitoba hosts the city of Winnipeg, and is one of Canada’s Western provinces, built on rich agricultural production. 

  1. Skilled Workers Stream – Applicants must be living and working in Manitoba. The primary aim is to identify workers who have already gained employment offers or experience within the province. 
  2. Skilled Workers – Overseas – This stream targets skilled workers who meet the labour and human capital needs of the province. They can apply through the Express Entry sub-stream or the Human Capital sub-stream.
  3. International Education Stream – This stream is for graduates from Universities in Manitoba. The sub-streams are – the Employee Pathway, Graduate Internship and the Student Entrepreneur Pathway. Applicants are usually required to have some amount of work experience or business management experience from the province. 
  4. Business Investor Stream – Similar to the Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm Stream, this stream targets entrepreneurs and investors with successful business management skills and experience, who are looking to practice business in Manitoba. The two sub-streams within, target – investors who are looking to launch business endeavours in a range of sectors within the province, and entrepreneurs looking to target the farm owner and operator stream.
  5. In-demand occupations in Manitoba – There are various occupations such as Financial Managers, Marketing Managers, Auditors, Accountants etc., in this stream. Applicants are usually preferred to have some work experience. French-speaking applicants are exempt from the experience requirement. 

Manitoba PNP / MPNP Eligibility Criteria

There is a point system for applicants in this PNP:

 

Factors

Maximum points

Language proficiency

125

Work experience

175

Age

75

Adaptability

500

Education

125

Risk assessment

-200

Other requirements are subjective to the respective stream that you have applied for. For more details about the respective streams and their eligibility criteria, head on here

Chapter 7

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

It is natural to see why everyone would want to immigrate to big cities such as Vancouver, Ontario, Calgary etc. The question arises – how do we ensure the even distribution of immigrant benefits to the entire country? It is with this spirit than the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program was launched. It helps channel immigrant benefits, human capital and labour to smaller cities as well. What the immigrants get out of the program is Canadian Permanent Residence and work. 

Canadian PNP : RINP communities

Rural and Northern Immigration / RNIP Eligibility Criteria

  1. 1 year of full-time, paid work experience 
  2. Due to the nature of the program, an applicant must get a recommendation from one of the participating communities. Their recommendation based on your skill set, work experience, interest to live in the community, economic needs of the community, and a job offer.
  3. Language Requirement – CLB 6
  4. Educational Requirement – The equivalent of Canadian High School which is 10 + 2 in our country (India). 
  5. Financial stability to transition into and support the community. 

For more details about other PNPs such as the British Columbia PNP, Prince Edward PNP, Yukon PNP, Newfoundland and Labrador PNPs, head on to this page. We hope you found this information useful. When in doubt, always go to the official pages of immigration and PNPs, which can be found here. 

Hope this blog helped you! Written by Saahil R Bhatt.

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