Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Canada

Overview of the PNP system

What is the PNP?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows individual provinces and territories in Canada (except Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate foreign workers and graduates for permanent residence (PR) based on local economic and labour needs.

It is a key pathway for people who:

Don’t have enough points for Express Entry
Have skills, experience, or education that match a province’s needs
Are willing to live and work in that province

How the PNP Works

Two application pathways:

1. Base PNP
- Apply directly to a province
- If nominated, apply to IRCC for PR
- Slower (processing time: 15–24 months)
- No Express Entry profile required
2. Enhanced PNP
- Create an Express Entry profile
- Get a provincial nomination through a stream linked to Express Entry
- Gain 600 CRS points → receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Faster PR processing (around 6 months after ITA)

Common Eligibility Requirements

Varies by province and stream, but often includes:

Work experience in an in-demand occupation
Job offer from an employer in the province
Post-secondary education
Language proficiency (CLB 4–7, depending on stream)
Intention to live in the nominating province
Sometimes: ties to the province (past work/study, relatives)

Key Advantages of PNP

Helps low or moderate-CRS candidates
Tailored to regional labour shortages
A 600-point boost in Express Entry if nominated
Certain streams don’t require job offers
Pathway for international graduates and semi-skilled workers

Important Notes

A PNP nomination is not PR — it gives you the right to apply for PR
If nominated under a Base PNP, you can only apply through the paper-based process
If nominated under an Enhanced PNP, you’ll apply via Express Entry
You must plan to live in the nominating province

Summary

Feature	PNP Overview
Who manages it?	Provinces and territories (with federal approval)
Best for	Skilled workers with ties to a specific province
Pathways	Base (direct to province) or Enhanced (via EE)
Nomination benefit	600 CRS points in Express Entry (if Enhanced)
Processing time	6–24 months, depending on stream

Breakdown by Province

Each province/territory runs its own PNP streams. Examples:

Province/Territory	Common PNP Streams
Ontario (OINP)	Human Capital, Employer Job Offer, Tech Draw
British Columbia (BCPNP)	Skills Immigration, Tech Pilot
Alberta (AAIP)	Express Entry Stream, Rural Renewal
Manitoba (MPNP)	Skilled Worker, International Student
Saskatchewan (SINP)	Express Entry, Occupation In-Demand
Nova Scotia (NSNP)	Labour Market Priorities, Physician
New Brunswick (NBPNP)	Skilled Worker, Express Entry
PEI, Newfoundland, NWT, Yukon	Employer-driven streams

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows the Province of Ontario to nominate foreign workers, international students, and others with the right skills, education, and experience to become permanent residents and contribute to the province's workforce.

OINP has both Express Entry–linked and non–Express Entry (direct) streams.

OINP Streams Overview

1. Human Capital Category (Skilled workers & graduates)

A) Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Requires an active Express Entry profile
- Regular targeted draws (often tech, health, or finance occupations)
- Must meet eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker or CEC
B) Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- For candidates with strong French and English skills
- Also, must qualify under FSW or CEC
C) Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream
- For trades workers with Ontario work experience
- Must qualify under Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
D) Master's Graduate Stream (No job offer needed)
- For those with a master’s degree from an Ontario university
- Must apply within 2 years of graduation
E) PhD Graduate Stream (No job offer needed)
- For those with a PhD from an Ontario university
- Also must apply within 2 years of graduation

2. Employer Job Offer Category

For workers with a valid job offer from an Ontario employer

A) Foreign Worker Stream
- For skilled workers with a permanent, full-time job offer
- No requirement to be in Canada
B) International Student Stream
- For recent international graduates with a job offer in Ontario
C) In-Demand Skills Stream
- For workers in in-demand occupations in sectors like agriculture, construction, and personal support
- Language requirement: CLB 4

3. Business Category

A) Entrepreneur Stream
- For experienced business owners or senior managers
- Must start or buy a business in Ontario
- Minimum investment: $200,000–$600,000, depending on location

Key Requirements (varies by stream)

Requirement	Description
Language Proficiency	CLB 4–7 depending on the stream
Education	Postsecondary diploma or degree for most streams
Job Offer	Required for Employer Job Offer streams only
Work Experience	1–2 years, depending on stream and occupation
Settlement Funds	Must meet minimum funds requirement unless working legally in Ontario
Intention to Reside	Must intend to live and work in Ontario after nomination

Processing Time (2024–2025 Estimate)

Stream	Nomination	PR (after ITA if EE)
EE-linked streams	60–90 days	~6 months (IRCC)
Employer job offer streams	90–120 days	~12–16 months
Master's/PhD graduate streams	60–90 days	~12–16 months
Entrepreneur stream	Varies	Longer, multi-stage

Targeted Occupations in OINP Tech Draws (sample)

Software Engineers
Computer Programmers
Data Analysts
IT Project Managers
Web Developers
Cybersecurity Specialists

OINP also occasionally conducts healthcare- and finance-focused draws.

Why Choose OINP?

No need for a job offer in some streams (Master's, PhD, Human Capital)
Frequent targeted draws for tech and healthcare
Express Entry alignment means a 600 CRS boost
Welcomes skilled workers, graduates, and business investors

BC PNP

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) allows BC to nominate skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs for permanent residence (PR), based on its labour market needs.

It includes Express Entry–linked streams (faster PR) and non–Express Entry (direct) pathways.

BC PNP Categories

1. Skills Immigration (SI)

For skilled and semi-skilled workers with job offers in BC.

Main sub-streams:

Stream	Key Features
Skilled Worker	For experienced professionals with job offers in skilled occupations
International Graduate	For graduates from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions
Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled	For jobs in hospitality, food processing, tourism, or long-haul trucking
Healthcare Professional	For doctors, nurses, or allied health professionals
International Post-Graduate	For graduates (master’s or PhD) in science fields from BC institutions, no job offer required

These streams use the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) — a points-based system that ranks applicants on:

Job offer
Wage
Education
Work experience
Language ability
Location of employment in BC

2. Express Entry BC (EEBC)

Linked to the federal Express Entry system. Offers faster PR processing.

EEBC – Skilled Worker
EEBC – International Graduate
EEBC – Healthcare Professional
EEBC – International Post-Graduate (no job offer required)

You must:

Be eligible for Express Entry (FSW, FST, or CEC)
Have a valid Express Entry profile
Meet the criteria for the corresponding BC PNP stream

If nominated, you get 600 CRS points, boosting your Express Entry score.

3. BC PNP Tech (formerly Tech Pilot)

A priority stream under Skills Immigration and EEBC, for in-demand tech occupations.

Key features:

Job offer of at least 1 year in a tech occupation (35+ NOC codes)
Weekly invitations
Priority processing
No LMIA required

Sample Tech Occupations:

Software engineers/developers
Web designers/developers
Computer network techs
UI/UX designers
Data analysts

4. Entrepreneur Immigration

For experienced business people wishing to start or buy a business in BC.

Base Stream – Minimum investment: $200,000+
Regional Pilot – For entrepreneurs in smaller communities
Strategic Projects – For foreign companies expanding to BC

General Requirements (Skills Immigration)

Requirement	Details
Job Offer	Must be from an eligible BC employer (except Post-Graduate stream)
Language	CLB 4–7 depending on job type
Education	Post-secondary diploma or higher (varies by stream)
Work Experience	Typically 2+ years (some exceptions for grads)
Wage Level	Must meet BC’s wage standards for the occupation
Employer	Must meet eligibility and be willing to support the nomination

Processing Times

Stage	Time Estimate
BC PNP nomination	~2–3 months
PR (via IRCC)	~6 months (EE), 12–18 months (non-EE)

Why Choose BC PNP?

Tech-focused and fast
Options without job offers (Post-Graduate stream)
High invitation frequency
Aligned with Canada’s economic needs
Direct route to PR

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program. It allows the province to nominate skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs for permanent residence (PR), based on Alberta’s labour and economic needs.

AAIP offers both Express Entry–aligned and non-Express Entry streams.

AAIP Categories & Streams

1. Streams for Workers

A) Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Linked to the federal Express Entry system
- Alberta can select candidates directly from the Express Entry pool
- You may receive a notification of interest (NOI) if you:
- If nominated: you get 600 CRS points → ITA for PR
- Substream: Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
B) Alberta Opportunity Stream
- For temporary foreign workers already in Alberta
- Must have:
- Not connected to Express Entry — paper-based PR application.
C) Rural Renewal Stream
- For workers with a job offer in designated rural Alberta communities
- Communities must endorse the candidate
- The job offer must be full-time and permanent
- Language: CLB 4+

2. Streams for Entrepreneurs

A) Rural Entrepreneur Stream
- Start or buy a business in a rural Alberta community
- Min. net worth: $300,000
- Min. investment: $100,000
- CLB 4+ and business experience required
B) Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- For international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions
- Must start or run a business in Alberta
- No minimum investment, but must own 34% or more of the business
C) Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- For foreign-educated entrepreneurs with a business plan and pitch
- Need support from an approved designated agency
- Min. net worth: $100,000, min. investment: $50,000
D) Farm Stream
- For experienced farmers with plans to buy/start a farm in Alberta
- Must show farm management skills and investment ability

Key Benefits of AAIP

Low CRS threshold (as low as 300) in the Alberta Express Entry stream
Targets in-demand occupations
Rural-focused pathways for settlement outside major cities
Entrepreneur options with relatively low investment thresholds
Often includes healthcare, trades, and agriculture

Common Occupations Targeted

(Subject to change per draw, but often includes:)

Nurses & health aides
Truck drivers
Software developers
Retail supervisors
Chefs & cooks
Welders, electricians
Agriculture workers
Childcare workers

Processing Times (Estimate)

Stream	Nomination Time	PR Time (after ITA or paper)
Express Entry stream	2–4 months	~6 months (IRCC, EE)
Alberta Opportunity	4–6 months	~12–18 months (paper-based)
Entrepreneur streams	4–8 months+	Varies

Summary Table

Feature	AAIP Express Entry	Alberta Opportunity	Rural/Renewal Streams
CRS needed	300+	Not applicable	Not applicable
Job offer required	No (but preferred)	Yes	Yes + community support
Work permit needed	No	Yes (valid LMIA or PGWP)	Yes
Language requirement	CLB 5–7+	CLB 4–5	CLB 4+
PR process type	Express Entry	Paper-based	Paper-based or EE-aligned

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Here’s a complete and easy-to-understand overview of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) — one of Canada’s most accessible and flexible PNPs, especially for candidates without job offers.

What is SINP?

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) allows the Province of Saskatchewan to nominate foreign skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs for permanent residence based on the province’s labour and economic needs.

It has points-based selection systems and does not always require a job offer, making it popular for overseas applicants.

SINP Categories & Streams

1. International Skilled Worker Category

For skilled workers living outside Canada or in Saskatchewan, with or without a job offer.

A) Express Entry Sub-Category
- Requires an active Express Entry profile
- Must meet SINP’s 60-point grid
- Must be in an eligible NOC occupation (in-demand list)
- Job offer not required
- Language: CLB 7 (FSW standard)
If nominated, you get 600 CRS points → Invitation to Apply for PR
B) Occupation In-Demand Sub-Category
- For candidates not in the Express Entry pool
- No job offer required
- Must be in an in-demand occupation
- Must meet SINP points grid (minimum 60 out of 100)
- Language: CLB 4+
Requires proof of education and work experience matching your NOC
C) Employment Offer Sub-Category
- For skilled workers with a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer
- Occupation must be on the approved list
- Work permit is not required at time of application

2. Saskatchewan Experience Category

For workers already in Saskatchewan on a valid work permit, including:

Skilled Workers with Existing Work Permit
Health Professionals
Hospitality Sector Project
Truck Drivers (Long-Haul)
Students who graduated from Saskatchewan

Must have a job offer in Saskatchewan

3. Entrepreneur and Farm Category

A) Entrepreneur Stream
- Must submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Minimum net worth: $500,000
- Minimum investment: $200,000–$300,000
- Must operate the business actively in Saskatchewan
B) Farm Owner and Operator Stream
- For experienced farmers with the ability to establish a farm in Saskatchewan
- Must show practical farming experience and investment capacity

Points Assessment Grid (out of 100)

You need at least 60 points to be eligible for the Occupation In-Demand or Express Entry sub-categories.

Criteria	Max Points
Education & Training	23
Skilled Work Experience	15
Language Proficiency	20
Age	12
Connections to Saskatchewan	30

Additional points are awarded for:

Having a relative in Saskatchewan
Past work/study in Saskatchewan
Job offer from a Saskatchewan employer

In-Demand Occupations (Examples)

Registered nurses
Early childhood educators
Welders & electricians
Truck drivers
Construction trades
IT professionals (developers, analysts)
Agriculture and heavy equipment operators

SINP In-Demand Occupation List

Processing Time (2024–2025 Estimate)

Stream	Processing Time
Express Entry	2–3 months (nomination)
Occupation In-Demand	4–6 months
Employer Offer	2–4 months
Entrepreneur Category	Varies (multi-step)

Key Benefits of SINP

No job offer needed in key streams
Accepts applicants with moderate CRS
Large and clear in-demand occupation list
Option for those inside or outside Canada
Pathway for entrepreneurs and farmers

Summary Table

Stream	Job Offer Needed?	Express Entry?	In-Demand List?
Express Entry Sub-Category	❌	✅	✅
Occupation In-Demand	❌	❌	✅
Employment Offer	✅	❌	✅
Saskatchewan Experience	✅ (in SK)	❌	✅
Entrepreneur/Farm	❌ (but a plan is needed)	❌	N/A

Would you like help checking your SINP points score or identifying whether your occupation is eligible? I can also help you draft your Expression of Interest (EOI) or compare SINP to other PNPs like Ontario or Alberta.

Other provinces & territories

Here’s an overview of the other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for the remaining provinces and territories in Canada outside of Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan — including Manitoba, Atlantic provinces, the North, and Quebec (special case):

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

Website: immigratemanitoba.com

Key Streams:

Skilled Worker in Manitoba: For individuals with a Manitoba job offer or Manitoba work experience
Skilled Worker Overseas: For those with a connection to Manitoba (family, study, work) and listed in-demand occupation
International Education Stream: For graduates of Manitoba institutions
Business Investor Stream: For business owners planning to invest in Manitoba

Points-based system, requires Expression of Interest (EOI)

Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador)

These provinces participate in both PNPs and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — a fast-track PR program for job offer–based candidates.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Website: novascotiaimmigration.com

Labour Market Priorities Stream (Express Entry)
Skilled Worker Stream
Occupation in Demand
Physician Stream
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Known for issuing targeted invitations for specific NOC codes like nurses, early childhood educators, and tech professionals.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

Website: welcomenb.ca

Skilled Worker with Employer Support
Express Entry Stream
Strategic Initiative Stream – For Francophone skilled workers
Business Immigration Stream

Attending NB virtual information sessions may be required before applying

Prince Edward Island PNP (PEI PNP)

Website: princeedwardisland.ca

Express Entry Stream
Labour Impact Stream – For skilled workers and critical workers with job offers
Business Impact Stream – For business owners with $150,000+ investment

Monthly draws through an Expression of Interest (EOI) pool

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

Website: gov.nl.ca/immigration

Skilled Worker
International Graduate
Priority Skills NL – For in-demand occupations (esp. in tech & healthcare)
Entrepreneur & International Graduate Entrepreneur

Priority Skills NL stream does not require a job offer, just an Expression of Interest + experience in targeted jobs

Territorial Programs: Yukon, Northwest Territories (NWT)

Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Website: yukon.ca/en/immigrate-yukon

Skilled Worker Program – Job offer required
Critical Impact Worker – For lower-skilled jobs
Business Nominee – Min. $500,000 net worth and $300,000 investment

Employer-driven; mostly for those working or planning to work in Yukon

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

Website: immigratenwt.ca

Employer-Driven Program
- Skilled Worker
- Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations
Business Stream – Min. investment $200,000–$300,000 depending on location

Suitable for applicants with job offers in Yellowknife or rural communities

Quebec (not part of the PNP system)

Quebec has its own immigration system, separate from the federal Express Entry or PNP programs.

Key Programs:

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) – for temporary workers and students
Quebec Entrepreneur and Investor Programs

Requires Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) before applying for PR

Summary Table

Province/Territory	EE-linked?	Job Offer Required?	Popular Focus Areas
Manitoba	✔️	Not always	Community ties, international students
Nova Scotia	✔️	Not always	Nurses, early educators, tech
New Brunswick	✔️	Often	French speakers, rural jobs
PEI	✔️	Yes (except Business)	Agriculture, hospitality, small biz
Newfoundland & Labrador	✔️	Not always	Tech, healthcare
Yukon	❌	Yes	Skilled/semi-skilled workers
NWT	❌	Yes	Northern work, truck driving, and trades
Quebec	❌	Separate system	French language, PEQ, skilled worker

PNP eligibility checker