Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) gives a Canadian Permanent Residence pathway to applicants who intend to immigrate to a particular Canadian province or territory.
Every province and territory in Canada have its PNP with which it operates under; fashioned to meet their specific economic and demographic needs.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (PNP)?
ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENT
The provincial nominee program is for individuals/workers who have the skills, educational background and work experience that can readily impart these attributes into the economy of a specific province or territory they intend to live in and want to become a permanent resident of Canada.
The number of invitations for the provincial nominee program (PNP) applicants is increased yearly by the Canadian federal government. These programs are the fastest-growing route to economic immigration in Canada.
Different provinces, excluding the province of Quebec, have different PNP streams targeted at certain groups;
- Students
- Business people
- Skilled Workers
- Semi-Skilled Workers
Different requirements apply to each PNP in Canada to participate or get nominated. These Provinces and territories are on the lookout for candidates with good work experience, skills and quality educational background that matches the requirements of their main labour market. English language proficiency is also strongly considered.
For you to be eligible, you must be able to show that you will be beneficial to the local economy, and have a legitimate reason to settle in that province or territory.
The provinces use these streams to help meet their quintessential immigration goals, so the eligibility standard and application processes differ. However, PNPs just like express entry is also a popular method to immigrate to Canada because they can be the fastest pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
> See Also: Quebec Immigration: A Complete Guide
Step-by-Step Process on How to Apply For a Provincial Nominee Program in Canada
- Find and Make a Research on the PNP that is suitable for you: Check the list to know which of the provinces or territories you would like to immigrate to. Keep in mind and be on the out for the requirements for each PNP for these provinces or territories to know your eligibility.
- Apply to the PNP of the Territory or Province of your choice: Complete and submit an application to the province or territory of your choice.
- Get a Provincial Nomination certificate: On the successful completion of your application, you will be nominated by the province or territory to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
- Apply and submit your permanent residence application: You are required to apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence. If the PNP your choice is situated with Express Entry, you can apply online. Otherwise, you have to submit a paper-based application.
Usually, many of these PNPs recommends that applicants have an actively registered profile in the Express Entry pool. However, this can be waived where some provinces present nominations to applicants who are not eligible for Express Entry. The eligibility requirements for these programs differ, hence it is advisable to contact a representative to talk through your eligibility. All PNPs issuing a nomination requires the applicant to submit a Canadian permanent resident application to the federal government.
KNOW THE APPLICATION OPTIONS
EXPRESS ENTRY PROCESS: Firstly, contact and apply in a province or territory under an express entry stream. When you get a nomination from the province or territory, then you can create an express entry account and then submit your profile stating that a Canadian province or territory has nominated you.
However, do not forget that you must meet the province or territory’s eligibility requirements, express entry criteria and eligibility for any of the immigration programs.
PAPER-BASED PROCESS: For PNPs that are not situated with the Express Entry stream, a paper-based process method of application is required. Only if you meet the eligibility of the province or territory.
After you must have been nominated by a province or territory, then you can submit the application for your Canadian permanent residence using the regular application process.
No matter the province or territory an applicant intends to immigrate to, a medical examination must be passed and a police check certificate must be obtained.
Click here to start your application.
PROCESSING TIME FOR PNP APPLICATION
The process for applying through PNP for Canadian permanent residence is a two-step process.
Applying to a province or territory. Once you get nominated, you must then apply to the Canadian Federal Government for Permanent Residence. Canadian Permanent Residence can only be issued by the federal government.
Processing times for different provinces varies but it commonly takes a few months for your application to be processed.
Express Entry applications are usually faster than Paper-based applications. The average processing time for a permanent resident application through Express Entry is 6 months while a paper-based application process can be ongoing for an average of 18 months. Click Here to check processing time at the Federal Level.
Note: QUEBEC does not have a PNP. Click here to learn more about their various programs
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