Provincial Nomination Program

This program targets those foreign nationals who have 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 have its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target, students, business people, skilled workers, semi-skilled workers.

The application options

The application process depends on which program or province you are applying to. You can either apply through:

paper based application or
online through Express Entry

In the paper-based process:

Application is submitted to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. If the eligibility requirements of the province are met, the province sent out nomination. After Nomination, a paper application for permanent residence is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Application processing times are longer under Provincial Nomination Program than through Express Entry.

Online Express Entry process:

There are 2 ways to apply:

Direct application through an Express Entry stream for nomination to a province. Once the nomination is issued, create an Express Entry Profile or update the current profile of have one already.

Create an Express Entry profile and select the provinces and territories of interest. If a province or territory sends out “notification of interest” apply to their Express Entry stream.