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Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) provide a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for people who wish to immigrate to a specific Canadian province or territory.Each province and territory in Canada operates its own PCP designed to meet its unique economic and demographic needs.
Read on to find out how you can immigrate to Canada as a Provincial Nominee and the latest Canada PNP updates.
Each province, outside Quebec and Nunavut, operating some PNP streams. These flows are designed by provinces to meet their unique immigration goals, so eligible criteria and different application procedures. However, PNP is a popular choice because they can be the fastest way for Canadian permanent residents.
All decisions related to Canadian permanent residents must be approved by the federal government at the national level. Therefore Canadian provinces cannot approve permanent residents. This is why provincial programs are considered “nominated” programs.
A successful PNP candidate will be nominated by the province to apply for federal permanent residence. This means that getting a provincial nomination is always the first step in a two-part process. First, an interested immigrant is approved at the provincial level, then they must apply at the federal level.
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories, with the exception of Nunavut and Quebec, runs its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to meet the economic and demographic needs of me. Program requirements and application procedures vary widely from province to province. Therefore, interested applicants should consult each province to determine their eligibility.
○ Alberta
○ British Columbia
○ Manitoba
○ New Brunswick
○ Newfoundland and Labrador
○ Northwest Territories
○ Nova Scotia
○ Ontario
○ Prince Edward Island
○ Quebec
○ Saskatchewan
○ Yukon
To ensure a smooth application process and maximize your chances of success, consider seeking assistance from experienced immigration consultants. Visit Bonafide Immigration, the Best Immigration Consultants in Brampton, Ontario, for personalized guidance and support tailored to your PNP application. Their expertise can help you navigate the complexities of the PNP and achieve your goal of Canadian permanent residency effectively.
Some PCPs do not require an Express Entry profile to apply. These programs are called “basic” PNPs. While the nomination process is different for each program, the general process is essentially:
1. Apply for nomination
2. If nominated, apply for Canadian permanent residence through Permanent Residence Portal. Once you have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada through IRCC’s online Permanent Residence Portal. Base PNP permanent residence applications take much longer to process than electronic applications submitted through Express Entry. While the average processing time for a permanent resident application submitted through Express Entry is 6 months, a paper-based application is processed in an average of 18 months.
● Create an account and submit an Express Entry profile.
● Apply for a matching Express Entry PNP
● Get a nomination in the Express Entry stream
● Confirm Express Entry on your profile and get an additional 600 points
● Wait for an invitation to permanent residence Apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system Because all PCPs are different, the process for applying for and receiving a nomination through the Express Entry system will vary depending on the program. Some PNPs are still accepting applications from qualified applicants, so if you qualify for the PNP, you can apply as soon as you’re ready. Other PNPs use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, in which eligible applicants are ranked on a points-based system for a chance to receive an invitation to apply for a nomination. Finally, some PCPs invite foreign nationals to submit applications, either by selecting candidates directly from the Express Entry pool or by asking interested individuals to submit an official expression of interest. The PCP application process can be confusing and applications may be denied if submitted incorrectly or if they are incomplete. Applicants must ensure that applications are completed correctly and submitted through the appropriate channel.
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, operates its own PCP program with several components. In total, there are more than 80 different Provincial Nominee Programs.
In 2015, Canada introduced Express Entry as a system for managing applications for permanent residence through similar major economic immigration programs. Since then, many Canadian provinces and territories have developed “advanced” PCP streams aligned with Express Entry. This means that some PCPs require applicants to have an Express Entry profile to meet the PCP’s eligibility criteria. If a candidate nominated through the PNP is eligible for Express Entry, that candidate may claim the additional Comprehensive Ranking System 600 and # 0; CRSand # 1; scores, virtually guaranteeing that they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. In addition, if a candidate receives a nomination through a PCP that is not a good fit for Express Entry, they must submit a federal non-Express Entry application for permanent residence as a provincial candidate. Federal non-expedited applications for permanent residence may take longer to process than electronic expedited applications.
The cost of immigrating through the Provincial Nominee Program is approximately $2,300 to $3,800 CAD, depending on the program you are immigrating to. Some provinces do not charge applicants a processing fee, while others, such as Ontario, charge up to C$1,500.
● Language test: Average cost – $300,
● Educational Credit Assessment (ECA) (if applicable): Average cost – $200,Biometrics: $85/person
● Government fees: $1,325/person adult and $225/child
● Health exam fee: average cost – $50/adult and $250/child
● Police certificate: average cost – $100/country
● Handling fee Provincial Nominee Program: up to C$1,500
● Total cost: from ~$2,300 to CAD 3,800
There are many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) available to foreign candidates who do not have a job offer in Canada. These programs typically target candidates with skills or work experience that can help the province fill a labor market or demographic gap.
Each PCP has unique requirements for the needs of the province or territory. If you have connections to the province or territory through your education or work experience, you will have a higher chance of receiving a provincial nomination. Your skills and work experience will also play an important role, as the labor market in each province and territory in Canada is different.
If you do not have enough CRS scores to be invited to participate in the federal lottery, a PNP may be an option to increase your chances. Most PCPs require applicants to have an Express Entry profile. Since Express Entry profiles are free, you risk nothing by creating one. If you are selected in a federal Express Entry draw that is not part of a PCP, this is a better choice as it will avoid needing additional provincial processing time. The best way to determine if a PNP or Express Entry is best for you is to complete our free online immigration assessment.
If you apply through a PCP, you may need to apply to the federal government for permanent resident status. How you submit your application for permanent residence will depend on whether your PNP aligns with the Express Entry and ‘Advanced’ System. If your PCP is upgraded, you can submit your application for permanent residence through the Express Entry system for fast processing. Candidates who receive a nomination under the relevant or enhanced Express Entry PNP will receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through a subsequent draw into the Express Entry pool. Express Entry application processing time is approximately 6 months. If your PNP is “Basic”, you will need to submit it through a non-Express Entry permanent resident portal. Basic PNPs operate outside of the Express Entry system and are subject to standard PNP processing times, which are often much slower than advanced PNP applications.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can have a significant impact on your Express Entry profile. When you receive a nomination from a province through the PNP, you are awarded 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This substantial boost in points greatly enhances your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry system.
Having a provincial nomination effectively guarantees that you will be selected in the next round of Express Entry draws, as the additional 600 CRS points virtually ensure that your total score will be high enough to receive an ITA.
Additionally, being nominated by a province through the PNP allows you to apply for permanent residency directly to the federal government, bypassing the need to compete with other Express Entry candidates in the pool. This streamlines the process and expedites your pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
For expert assistance in maximizing the benefits of the
Provincial Nominee Program and optimizing your Express Entry profile, consider
visiting Bonafide Immigration, the Best Immigration Consultants in Brampton,
Ontario.Our knowledgeable team can provide personalized
guidance and support to ensure that your PNP nomination translates into a
successful permanent residency application through Express Entry.