Highlights of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Highlights of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Canada’s PNP is the rising star of Canada’s economic immigration programs and plays a prominent role.  It allows participating Canadian provinces and territories to nominate a set number of economic immigrants for permanent residence each year. These nominations are considered ‘Enhanced’ nominations and allow a province or territory to nominate candidates in the federal Express Entry (EE) system, which manages the pool of candidates of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs. Provincial Nominations (PN) are also issued outside the EE system through numerous PNP streams across Canada. These are known as base nominations.

Ontario

Ontario has the largest individual PNP allocations in all of its three streams: ‘Human Capital Priorities Stream’, ‘French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream’ and ‘Skilled Trades Stream’. These streams allow the OINP to search the EE pool and invite candidates who meet their federal and provincial eligibility criteria. The Human Capital Priorities Stream will revise its cut-off score to 400 points in order to be considered for a nomination. Candidates with a job offer or work experience in specific occupations or sectors may get priority over others in selection.

 Manitoba-EE

Manitoba’s EE stream uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. EE candidates who would like to be considered under this stream must first register a separate EOI profile with the Manitoba PNP.

The profiles of eligible candidates are ranked based on scores provided for education, work experience, proficiency in English or French, connections to Manitoba and other factors, and a set number of the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for a PN.

 Alberta-EE

The stream allows AINP to search the EE pool for eligible candidates with a CRS score at least 300 who are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification goals, among other criteria. Candidates with a job offer and/or work experience in Alberta, a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and/or a parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta are prioritized.

 Nova Scotia-EE

The stream allows the NSNP to search the federal EE Pool for candidates with work experience in select occupations that are facing labour shortages in the province. The Labour Market Priorities Stream is one of three Nova Scotia immigration streams that are linked to the federal EE system, along with ‘Nova Scotia: Demand’ and ‘Nova Scotia: Experience’.

 Saskatchewan-EOI

Like other EOI systems, this one creates a pool of candidates for both sub-categories and emphasizes so-called human capital factors including education, work experience and proficiency in English or French, the strength of which determines a candidate’s score and ranking in the pool.  These factors all play a determining role in a candidate’s future economic success in Saskatchewan. EE candidates interested in Saskatchewan’s ‘ISW: EE’ sub-category must register a separate EOI profile with the SINP.

 PEI - PNP

 PEI welcomes EOIs from candidates in the federal EE pool who do not have a job offer in the province. However, those living and working in PEI have been prioritized. PEI’s Office of Immigration contact EE candidates who had not yet registered an EOI with the province but who were deemed a potential match for labour market needs.