Through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), Canadian provinces and territories are able to propose people who would like to immigrate to the country and settle in a specific province.

​Every Canadian province and two territories has its own distinct Provincial Nominee Program, with the exception of Quebec, which has a different selection process. In accordance with agreements they sign with the IRCC, participating provinces and territories are able to choose immigrants who fit their predetermined qualifications. 

Each province that runs a PNP program has its own set of selection standards for identifying immigrants who possess the capabilities the province wants but cannot obtain domestically. The province-by-province differences in the selection criteria and occupations include information technology, medicine, trades, agriculture, business, investors, and those with Canadian connections. 

How does the program work?

Candidates must apply to a PNP program (a separate application) after first submitting their CRS score (calculate here) into the Express Entry System. For a full year, or until your application for permanent residence is accepted, you will be part of the Express Entry pool.

​Following the three to four months that the province takes to process your PNP application, you will receive 600 points that you can use to your Express Entry score. You will be chosen and invited to apply for PR in the very next draw, which typically takes place every two weeks, with these extra 600 points. 

How does the program work?

The advantages of applying for the PNP program

A Provincial Nominee Certificate entitles you to 600 points, which are applied to your Express Entry score. People without a PNP certificate will often score between 300 and 500. The 400–500 mark has been the most recent cutoff score range for selection for Express Entry. PNP Certificate holders are immediately awarded 600 points to add to their 300–500 point Express Entry core. A final Express Entry score of more than 900 would result from the PNP certificate, which is substantially higher than the present cutoff selection score of between 400 and 500 points.