Profiles provinces may target
- Skilled workers and tradespeople.
- International graduates.
- Health care and other priority occupations.
- Entrepreneurs and business applicants.
- French-speaking candidates.
Provincial Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Program Canada: PNP Eligibility and Process
Immigrate to a province that welcomes you.
PNP pathways allow provinces and territories to nominate workers, graduates and entrepreneurs who can contribute to local communities.
On This Page
- Provincial Nominee Program overview
- Express Entry and non-Express Entry pathways
- How provinces select candidates
- Choosing a province and stream
- NOC 2021 and TEER
- From nomination to permanent residence
- Eligibility and application requirements
- PNP documents commonly required
- How the process works
- How Simmi Immigration can help
- Frequently asked questions
Overview
Provincial Nominee Program overview
The Provincial Nominee Program lets participating provinces and territories nominate people who have the skills, education and work experience needed by their economies and who intend to live in the nominating jurisdiction.
Each jurisdiction controls its own streams, criteria and intake. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon operate nominee programs. Quebec and Nunavut do not operate a PNP.
Express Entry and non-Express Entry pathways
An enhanced nomination is connected to Express Entry. The candidate must qualify for both the provincial stream and one of the three federal Express Entry programs. Accepting the nomination adds 600 CRS points.
A base or non-Express Entry stream operates outside Express Entry. The applicant first obtains the nomination and then applies to IRCC through the non-Express Entry provincial nominee process.
How provinces select candidates
Selection may consider occupation, NOC and TEER category, work experience, education, language results, job offer, wage, local ties, Canadian status and the intention to settle in the province.
Some streams accept direct applications or expressions of interest. Others identify candidates from the Express Entry pool. A notification of interest is not a nomination and does not guarantee one.
Choosing a province and stream
The best fit depends on the applicant’s occupation, current location, job offer, work authorization, education, language results and settlement plans. Stream availability and targeted occupations can change with little notice.
A useful comparison looks at both immediate eligibility and the evidence needed to show a genuine intention to live in the nominating province.
NOC 2021 and TEER
Provincial programs use the National Occupational Classification and TEER framework. The correct NOC is based on the lead statement and actual duties, not the job title alone.
| TEER | General classification |
|---|---|
| 0 | Management occupations |
| 1 | Usually requires a university degree |
| 2 | Usually requires college, apprenticeship or supervisory experience |
| 3 | Usually requires post-secondary education or specialized training |
| 4 | Usually requires secondary school and job-specific training |
| 5 | Usually requires short-term work demonstration and no formal education |
From nomination to permanent residence
A nomination is an important approval at the provincial stage, but it does not grant permanent residence. IRCC still assesses the federal application, including admissibility and whether the nomination remains valid.
Applicants must continue to meet relevant conditions and should disclose changes in employment, family composition, status or settlement plans when required.
Key information
Eligibility and application requirements
Eligibility, supporting evidence and practical considerations for this application.
Selection factors
- NOC and TEER.
- Work experience and education.
- Language proficiency.
- Job offer or provincial connection, where required.
- Intention to settle in the province.
Enhanced nomination
- Requires Express Entry eligibility.
- Nomination is confirmed electronically.
- Accepted nomination adds 600 CRS points.
- Federal PR application follows an ITA.
Base nomination
- Apply under a non-Express Entry provincial stream.
- Receive the provincial nomination.
- Submit the federal PR application.
- Meet federal admissibility requirements.
Checklist
PNP documents commonly required
Every province and stream issues its own checklist.
- Passport and status documents.
- Language test results.
- Education records and ECA, where required.
- Employment letters and work-experience evidence.
- NOC and job-description evidence.
- Job offer and employer records, where applicable.
- Settlement funds and financial evidence.
- Provincial connection or intention-to-reside evidence.
- Nomination certificate and federal forms.
- Police certificates, medicals and civil-status records.
Step by step
How the process works
- 1
Assess provinces
Compare current streams against your profile and goals.
- 2
Confirm NOC and TEER
Match the occupation using duties, not title alone.
- 3
Prepare the provincial file
Collect stream-specific eligibility and settlement evidence.
- 4
Apply or receive interest
Follow the province’s EOI, direct or Express Entry process.
- 5
Accept the nomination
Complete the provincial stage and any profile steps.
- 6
Apply for PR
Submit the federal application and admissibility documents.
Why us
What you get working with Simmi Immigration
A
Stream matching
Compare open provincial routes instead of relying on one program.
B
NOC review
Align duties, experience and provincial occupational criteria.
C
Settlement evidence
Document why the nominating province is a credible destination.
D
Two-stage support
Prepare both the nomination and federal PR applications.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
It allows participating provinces and territories to nominate eligible people who want to settle there and become permanent residents.
There is no universal best province. The fit depends on current streams, your NOC, work history, education, language, job offer and settlement plans.
Not for every stream. Requirements differ by province and program.
Enhanced streams connect to Express Entry. Base streams use the non-Express Entry federal PR process after nomination.
No. IRCC must still approve the federal application and admissibility assessment.
An accepted Express Entry-aligned provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points.
You may explore more than one program, but your applications and profiles must remain truthful about where you genuinely intend to live. Express Entry allows only one accepted nomination at a time.
No. Quebec has separate immigration programs, and Nunavut does not operate a provincial nominee program.
Next step
Your future. Your province.
Let us map your PNP options against your work history, education and destination.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Program rules change and individual circumstances matter. Confirm current IRCC requirements before applying.
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