Choosing the right Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of. the most strategic decisions for people using Express Entry and other economic immigration pathways to move to Canada.

This guide is for skilled workers, international graduates, and temporary workers who want. to use a provincial nomination to strengthen their chances of getting Canadian permanent residence.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program in Canada?

The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to. nominate foreign nationals who can help meet their specific economic and labour market needs.

Each province or territory runs its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with multiple immigration “streams.” For example:

• The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) focuses on skilled workers, international students, and certain in-demand occupations.
• The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) targets workers and entrepreneurs needed for the province’s labour market and economic development.
• The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) offers pathways for workers and business applicants who wish to live and work in New Brunswick.
• Nova Scotia uses streams such as Labour Market Priorities to select Express Entry candidates who match provincial labour needs.

While every program is different, the core idea is the same: the province or territory chooses candidates it believes will. settle successfully and contribute to its economy, then nominates them for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and citizenship Canada (IRCC).

provinces - federal - nomination - ircc - permanent residence - Express Entry vs. Non–Express Entry PNP Streams

IRCC manages two broad pathways for provincial nominees: the Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program and the non–Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program.

Express Entry–aligned PNP streams

For Express Entry–aligned PNP streams, you must first be eligible for one of the three federal economic programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

IRCC confirms that to be eligible for the PNP via Express Entry, you must. both meet a province’s PNP requirements and qualify under one of these three programs.

If you receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry–aligned stream and accept it in your Express Entry profile, IRCC awards you 600 additional Comprehensive.

Ranking System (CRS) points. This typically makes your profile highly competitive for an. invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next suitable Express Entry round

.

Non–Express Entry PNP streams

Many provinces also operate non–Express Entry PNP streams. In these cases:

• You apply to the province or territory first.
• If nominated, you then submit a separate permanent residence application to IRCC under the non–Express Entry Provincial Nominee Class.

IRCC currently indicates that non–Express Entry PNP permanent residence applications take around 16 months to process, although this can change depending.

on intake and resources. Non–Express Entry streams may suit candidates who are not eligible for Express Entry but meet a specific province’s criteria

.

Key Factors for Choosing the Right Provincial Nominee Program

There is no single “best” Provincial Nominee Program in Canada. The right PNP depends on your profile, your long-term plans, and each province’s current priorities.

Below are the main strategic factors to review before targeting a province.

Your occupation and labour market demand

Provinces use their PNP streams to address provincial labour shortages. British Columbia, for example, identifies eligible occupations for specific skills immigration streams to match provincial labour needs. New

. Brunswick and Nova Scotia explicitly state that their PNPs are designed to meet provincial labour market needs.

Practical steps:

• Check whether your National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER code is eligible under the province’s workers or international graduate streams.
• Review any “in-demand” or priority occupation lists published by the province.
• Monitor provincial news or “invitations to apply” pages to see which occupations are actually receiving invitations in recent draws.

Your ties to the province

Many Provincial Nominee Programs give a clear advantage to applicants who have strong connections to the province, such as:

• Current or past work experience in the province
• Studies in the province (especially completion of a qualifying program)
• Close family members living there
• Previous visits and proof of settlement planning

Provinces use these factors to assess whether you are likely to live and work in their jurisdiction on a long-term basis.

Language skills and French

IRCC uses language ability (English and/or French) as a major factor in Express Entry CRS scores, and provinces also consider language requirements. in their PNP criteria. Some provinces favor French-speaking or bilingual candidates in certain streams, in line with Canada’s broader strategy of supporting linguistic diversity

.

If you have strong French, you may have more options both in federal. category-based Express Entry rounds and in certain Provincial Nominee Programs that target French-speaking workers.

Work or study experience in Canada

Canadian work or study experience can help for both Express Entry and provincial programs. For example, Ontario operates streams for international students with job offers and for foreign workers in specific sectors, reflecting.

the province’s economic immigration objectives. British Columbia’s Skills Immigration pathways similarly focus on workers with job offers from B.C

. employers.

Risk tolerance and processing timelines

In an Express Entry–aligned PNP stream, a nomination can significantly increase your CRS score, but. you still must receive an invitation to apply from IRCC and then meet all admissibility requirements.

Non–Express Entry PNP streams may involve longer processing times at the federal stage, but could offer specific. options for candidates whose profiles do not fit Express Entry (for example, certain lower TEER occupations or age profiles).

Your choice of PNP should reflect how quickly you need a decision and how comfortable you are with possible program changes while you wait.

Step-by-Step: How to Use PNP with Express Entry

Below is a practical, high-level process based mainly on IRCC’s official guidance for immigrating as a provincial nominee. This is general information, not legal advice.

1. Confirm your eligibility for Express Entry programs.
   Use IRCC’s criteria to check whether you qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class.
2. Identify suitable PNP streams.
   Decide which province or territory you realistically want to live and work in, then review that jurisdiction’s official PNP pages to understand eligibility requirements and documentation.
3. Create your Express Entry profile (if using an Express Entry–aligned PNP).
   In your online profile, indicate either specific province(s) or “all provinces and territories” to show that you are open to a provincial nomination.
4. Apply directly to a PNP, or wait for a notification of interest.
   Some provinces accept direct applications to their PNP streams; others search the Express Entry pool and issue notifications of interest to candidates who match their needs.
5. Receive and accept your nomination.
   If nominated under an Express Entry–aligned stream, you must accept the nomination electronically in your Express Entry account within the deadline (generally 30 days). Once accepted, IRCC awards you 600 additional CRS points as part of the additional points component of the CRS.
6. Receive an invitation to apply and submit your PR application.
   With the 600 additional points, you may be invited by IRCC to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry round of invitations, provided you still meet all program requirements.
7. For non–Express Entry PNP streams.
   If your nomination is outside Express Entry, you submit a permanent residence application to IRCC under the non–Express Entry Provincial Nominee Class, following the forms and instructions in the official guide.

Practical Scenarios: How Different Profiles Might Choose a PNP

Scenario 1: Skilled worker with mid-range CRS score

Imagine a software engineer with three years of foreign work experience, strong English, and a CRS score in the mid-400s. They may be competitive in some Express Entry rounds, but there is still uncertainty.

Strategic options could include:

• Targeting provinces where information technology occupations are highlighted in workers’ streams.
• Creating an Express Entry profile and indicating interest in multiple provinces to increase chances of a notification of interest.
• Accepting a provincial nomination if invited, to add 600 CRS points and significantly improve the likelihood of an invitation to apply.

Scenario 2: International student in Ontario or British Columbia

Consider an international graduate who completed a program in Ontario or British Columbia, has a. qualifying job offer in the province, and holds or soon will hold a post-graduation work permit.

They may:

• Explore Ontario’s international student streams or in-demand skills streams, which require specific types of job offers and employers.
• Review B.C.’s Skills Immigration categories for workers and graduates with B.C. job offers.
• Determine whether their profile can first qualify for Express Entry to pursue an Express Entry–aligned PNP, or whether a non–Express Entry PNP path is more realistic.

Scenario 3: Experienced worker not eligible for Express Entry

A candidate may be over the typical age range for competitive CRS scores or have language scores below minimum Express Entry thresholds. In such cases, the person might not qualify for Express Entry at all.

Here, the focus shifts to non–Express Entry PNP streams where:

• The province may have its own points or scoring model.
• Work experience, ties, or specific occupations could outweigh lower language scores.
• Processing is longer at the federal stage, but the PNP offers a dedicated pathway which would not otherwise exist.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Provincial Nominee Program

• Chasing “easiest” programs without real ties.
  Provinces look for genuine intent to reside. Weak or artificial ties can lead to refusals.
• Ignoring eligibility for federal Express Entry programs.
  You cannot use Express Entry–aligned PNP streams unless you are eligible for one of the three Express Entry programs.
• Assuming PNP equals guaranteed permanent residence.
  A nomination is a powerful advantage but you must still qualify and be admissible under IRCC rules; a nomination does not guarantee approval.
• Not checking for recent program changes.
  Provinces regularly adjust their PNP streams, allocations, and invitation patterns, sometimes with limited notice.
• Relying on outdated CRS assumptions.
  IRCC has updated CRS rules over time, including removing job offer points as additional CRS points in 2025, which changes how candidates plan their strategy.

FAQ: Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry

What is a Provincial Nominee Program in Canada?

A Provincial Nominee Program is a Canadian immigration program that allows provinces and territories (except Quebec. and Nunavut) to select and nominate foreign nationals who can support their economic and labour market priorities.

Each province or territory designs its own streams and criteria, within the overall federal framework.

How does a provincial nomination work with Express Entry?

If you are eligible for an Express Entry program and receive a provincial nomination under an. Express Entry–aligned stream, the province confirms your nomination electronically and you accept it in your IRCC online account.

IRCC then adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, which usually makes you highly competitive for an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Can I apply to multiple Provincial Nominee Programs at the same time?

IRCC confirms that you can receive more than one notification of interest from provinces in. your Express Entry account, but you can only have one active provincial nomination at a time.

If you accept one nomination, you generally cannot be nominated by another province until you reject or lose the first one.

What happens if I reject a provincial nomination?

If you reject or ignore a provincial nomination in your Express Entry account, you remain in. the Express Entry pool as long as you still meet the requirements of at least one federal program.

However, you will not be eligible for that province’s PNP unless another province or territory chooses to nominate you.

Does a provincial nomination guarantee permanent residence?

No. A provincial nomination is a strong advantage but not a guarantee. You must still submit a complete application, meet all federal eligibility and admissibility.

criteria, and receive a positive decision from IRCC on your permanent residence application.

How long does the PNP process take?

Processing includes two stages: the provincial stage and the federal permanent residence stage. IRCC currently indicates that non–Express Entry provincial nominee applications can take about 16 months to process at the federal stage,.

but this can change and may vary for Express Entry cases. Always check the latest official processing time information before planning

.

Is PNP better than applying through Express Entry alone?

Neither option is automatically “better.” For many candidates with moderate CRS scores,. a provincial nomination may significantly improve their chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

For others with already competitive CRS scores, Express Entry alone could be sufficient. The best approach depends on your profile and on current federal and provincial selection trends.

Conclusion: Build a PNP Strategy Around Your Profile

The Provincial Nominee Program is one of the most powerful tools in Canada’s immigration system, especially when combined with Express Entry. Because a provincial nomination can add 600 CRS points and create a dedicated pathway.

to permanent residence, it is crucial to choose your target province carefully and honestly.

A solid strategy includes understanding your own strengths (occupation, language, education, experience), researching which provinces need your skills,.

assessing your ties to those provinces, and monitoring both federal and provincial program changes using only official government sources. When in doubt, consider seeking professional advice tailored to your situation, and always verify requirements on the official IRCC and provincial immigration websites before applying.

Sources / References

1. [1] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Immigrate as a provincial nominee – Provincial Nominee Program overview,” updated 2025.
2. [2] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry process,” updated 2025.
3. [3] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Provincial Nominee Program: Non–Express Entry process,” updated 2025.
4. [4] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Express Entry: Who can apply” and “Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria,” updated 2025.
5. [5] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Express Entry Year-End Report 2024,” published 2025.
6. [6] Government of Ontario, “Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and streams,” including updates and guidance pages.
7. [7] Government of British Columbia, “About the BC Provincial Nominee Program” and “Immigrate to B.C. – For workers / documents / news.”
8. [8] Government of New Brunswick, “New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program – immigration program streams.”
9. [9] Government of Nova Scotia, “Nova Scotia Nominee Program – Labour Market Priorities stream.”