PNP Guide

🍁 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Data from canada.ca — updated

What is the Provincial Nominee Program?

The PNP lets Canadian provinces and territories nominate skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs who want to settle in their region. A provincial nomination is one of the fastest pathways to Canadian permanent residence — Express Entry nominees receive 600 bonus CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation.

11 Provinces & Territories
+600 CRS Points (EE stream)
80+ PNP Streams Nationwide
2 Application Pathways

Two Ways to Apply

FASTER

Express Entry Stream

For candidates who qualify for both a provincial PNP stream AND a federal Express Entry program (CEC, FSW, or FST).

  • Receive 600 bonus CRS points upon nomination
  • Near-certain invitation to apply for permanent residence
  • Entire process managed through IRCC Express Entry portal
  • Processing times typically faster than non-EE stream
📝
ALTERNATIVE

Non-Express Entry Stream

For candidates who qualify for a provincial PNP stream but do NOT qualify for a federal Express Entry program.

  • Paper-based (non-digital) permanent residence application
  • Does not require existing Express Entry profile
  • Processing can take longer (typically 18–24 months)
  • Province/territory confirms which stream applies to you

Who Can Apply

To be considered for the Provincial Nominee Program, you must meet criteria in all three areas:

1
Provincial Eligibility

Be eligible for at least one of the province or territory's PNP streams. Each province sets its own requirements for skills, education, work experience, language, and job offers.

2
Provincial Nomination

The province or territory must nominate you. Nominations are confirmed through a nomination certificate. The province will also tell you whether to apply via Express Entry or the non-EE process.

3
Federal Admissibility

Meet IRCC's admissibility requirements — no criminal, medical, or security grounds of inadmissibility.

⚠️ No PNP in Quebec or Nunavut

Quebec selects its own skilled workers through separate programs. Nunavut does not have a nominee program. Both have alternative immigration pathways.

PNP Programs by Province & Territory

Each province and territory manages its own streams and eligibility criteria. Click a province to visit its official PNP website.

🏔️
AB
Alberta
EE
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
6 streams ▾
  • Alberta Express Entry Stream
  • Alberta Opportunity Stream
  • Rural Renewal Stream
  • Rural Entrepreneur Stream
  • Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • Farm Stream

AAIP manages all Alberta PNP streams. Express Entry sub-stream targets skilled workers already in Express Entry pool.

Visit Alberta PNP ↗
🌲
BC
British Columbia
EE
BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
9 streams ▾
  • Skills Immigration — Skilled Worker
  • Skills Immigration — Health Authority
  • Skills Immigration — International Graduate
  • Skills Immigration — Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
  • Express Entry BC — Skilled Worker
  • Express Entry BC — International Graduate
  • Express Entry BC — International Post-Graduate
  • Entrepreneur Immigration — Base
  • Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot

BC PNP uses a points-based registration system called Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Tech occupations often receive priority.

Visit British Columbia PNP ↗
🌾
MB
Manitoba
EE
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
4 streams ▾
  • Skilled Workers in Manitoba
  • Skilled Workers Overseas
  • International Education Stream
  • Business Investor Stream

MPNP has a draw-based Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Connections to Manitoba — through family, friends, or a previous Manitoba work permit — improve scores.

Visit Manitoba PNP ↗
🌊
NB
New Brunswick
EE
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
5 streams ▾
  • Express Entry Labour Market Stream
  • Skilled Workers with Employer Support
  • Critical Worker Pilot
  • Caring for Seniors Pilot
  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

New Brunswick also participates in the Atlantic Immigration Program alongside Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland.

Visit New Brunswick PNP ↗
NL
Newfoundland & Labrador
EE
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
5 streams ▾
  • Express Entry Skilled Worker
  • Skilled Worker Category
  • International Graduate Category
  • International Entrepreneur Category
  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

NL actively recruits healthcare workers, engineers, and skilled tradespeople through targeted draws. Atlantic Immigration Program also available.

Visit Newfoundland & Labrador PNP ↗
🌌
NT
Northwest Territories
EE
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
4 streams ▾
  • Employer Driven Stream — Critical Impact Worker
  • Employer Driven Stream — Skilled Worker
  • Business Stream
  • Express Entry Stream

NT requires applicants to have a genuine connection to the Northwest Territories — typically through a valid job offer from a local employer.

Visit Northwest Territories PNP ↗
🦞
NS
Nova Scotia
EE
Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
7 streams ▾
  • Nova Scotia Experience — Express Entry
  • Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
  • Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
  • Skilled Worker Stream
  • Entrepreneur Stream
  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Nova Scotia frequently opens Labour Market Priorities draws targeting specific occupations in health, tech, and trades.

Visit Nova Scotia PNP ↗
🏙️
ON
Ontario
EE
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
10 streams ▾
  • Human Capital Priorities Stream (Express Entry)
  • Skilled Trades Stream (Express Entry)
  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (Express Entry)
  • Employer Job Offer — Foreign Worker
  • Employer Job Offer — International Student
  • Employer Job Offer — In-Demand Skills
  • Masters Graduate Stream
  • PhD Graduate Stream
  • Entrepreneur Stream
  • Corporate Stream

Ontario is the largest PNP program by volume. Human Capital Priorities draws search the federal Express Entry pool for candidates who meet Ontario's criteria.

Visit Ontario PNP ↗
🥔
PE
Prince Edward Island
EE
PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
6 streams ▾
  • PEI Labour Impact Category — Skilled Worker
  • PEI Labour Impact Category — Critical Worker
  • PEI Labour Impact Category — International Graduate
  • Express Entry
  • Business Impact Category
  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

PEI PNP draws occur regularly through an Expression of Interest system. Candidates are scored and ranked.

Visit Prince Edward Island PNP ↗
🌻
SK
Saskatchewan
EE
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
7 streams ▾
  • International Skilled Worker — Express Entry
  • International Skilled Worker — Occupations In-Demand
  • International Skilled Worker — Employment Offer
  • Saskatchewan Experience Category — Existing Work Permit
  • Saskatchewan Experience Category — Students
  • Saskatchewan Experience Category — Health Professionals
  • Entrepreneur and Farm Stream

SINP uses an Expression of Interest system with regular draws. In-Demand occupations list is updated regularly based on provincial labour market needs.

Visit Saskatchewan PNP ↗
🦅
YK
Yukon
EE
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
5 streams ▾
  • Skilled Worker Stream
  • Critical Impact Worker Stream
  • Express Entry Stream
  • Business Nominee Program
  • Yukon Community Pilot (YCP)

Nominees through Yukon Community Pilot may be eligible for a 2-year open work permit while their PR application is processed.

Visit Yukon PNP ↗
⚜️
Quebec

Quebec has its own immigration system and selects skilled workers independently. Apply through Arrima portal.

Quebec Immigration ↗
🌨️
Nunavut

Nunavut does not have a Provincial Nominee Program. Explore federal immigration programs directly.

Nunavut Immigration ↗
⚡ +600

Express Entry PNP — 600 Bonus CRS Points

When a province nominates you through an Express Entry-aligned stream, IRCC adds 600 points to your CRS score. Since most rounds of invitations require 400–550 points, this virtually guarantees you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Eligibility — Who Can Apply Through Express Entry PNP

Have a valid nomination certificate from a province or territory
Be eligible for at least one Express Entry program: CEC, FSW, or FST
Have an active Express Entry profile (or create one after nomination)
Intend to settle in the nominating province or territory
Meet IRCC admissibility requirements (no criminal/medical/security bars)

Express Entry PNP Process

1
Check Provincial Requirements

Visit the province or territory's PNP website to confirm you meet their stream criteria (skills, work experience, language, job offer, etc.)

2
Apply to the Province

Submit an Expression of Interest or application directly to the province. Wait to be selected or invited by the province.

3
Receive Nomination Certificate

If nominated, you receive a nomination certificate. The province will also tell you whether to proceed via Express Entry or the non-EE process.

4
Create or Update Express Entry Profile

Create your Express Entry profile (or update an existing one). Enter your nomination in the profile. IRCC will add 600 CRS points automatically.

5
Receive ITA

With 600 bonus points, you will almost certainly receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.

6
Submit Permanent Residence Application

After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application through your IRCC secure account.

7
Decision and Permanent Residence

IRCC reviews your application. If approved, you become a Canadian Permanent Resident and must settle in the nominating province.

ℹ️
Important: NOC Code 93888 in Express Entry Profile

When completing your Express Entry profile as a PNP nominee, you must use NOC code 93888 in every NOC field: Primary Occupation, Job Offer in Canada, Current Work Permit, Work History, and Spouse's Work History.

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Every NOC field of your Express Entry profile

Source: Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry process — canada.ca (IRCC last updated: April 17, 2026)

Non-Express Entry PNP Process

If you qualify for a provincial PNP stream but do not qualify for any federal Express Entry program, you apply for permanent residence through the non-Express Entry (paper-based) process.

⚡ Express Entry PNP
  • Requires active Express Entry profile
  • Must qualify for CEC, FSW, or FST
  • Adds 600 CRS bonus points
  • Application managed online via IRCC account
  • Faster processing (typically 6–12 months)
📝 Non-Express Entry PNP
  • No Express Entry profile required
  • Open to those not eligible for federal EE programs
  • Paper-based permanent residence application
  • Application submitted by mail or online (some streams)
  • Longer processing (typically 18–24 months)

Non-EE Steps After Nomination

1
Receive Provincial Nomination

The province nominates you and provides a nomination certificate confirming non-EE process.

2
Receive Invitation from IRCC

IRCC will send you a letter inviting you to apply for permanent residence.

3
Pay Fees & Gather Documents

Pay permanent residence fees, collect required documents (police certificates, medical exam, language scores, ECA if applicable, nomination certificate, photos).

4
Submit PR Application

Submit your permanent residence application with all required documents. Applications are processed in paper-based stream — longer than Express Entry.

5
Biometrics & Medical Exam

Provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved physician.

6
Decision

IRCC makes a decision. If approved, you and your family (included in application) become Permanent Residents and must settle in the nominating province.

Status

Open

Fees

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