Provincial Nominee Program

This program is for workers who: have the 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 territoryFootnote* has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:

Provincial offers an opportunity to live and work permanently in the province to:

Students

Business People

Skilled Workers

Semi-Skilled Workers

Paper-based process

You apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.

You need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.

Once you have been nominated, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

You have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada.

Application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.

Express Entry process

In the online Express Entry process, there are 2 ways to apply:

You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.

If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.

OR

You create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.

If a province or territory sends you a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly.

You apply to their Express Entry stream: If you’re nominated, the province will offer it to you through your account, and you accept it electronically.

In both cases:

You must meet the eligibility requirements of the province or territory. And,

You must submit an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for one of the immigration programs it covers.

If you are invited to apply, you submit an electronic application to IRCC.