Provincial Nominee Program FAQ's

Many people from around the world desire to immigrate to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set up Provincial Nominee Programs to enable the different provinces and territories of Canada to select individuals who would then be able to settle down in a particular Canadian province or territory and contribute to its economic development.

Almost all Canadian provinces and territories participate in the Provincial Nominee Program.

Here is the list of provinces that participate in this program:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland And Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

It is not. Following an agreement with the Canadian government, Quebec set up its own selection program for people desirous of settling there.

It is not. You can apply for and get a Canada Immigration Visa, also known as Permanent Resident Visa, without applying for provincial nomination.

Once you get the provincial nomination, you are on the fast track for getting a Canadian Immigration Visa as your application shall be processed quickly.

Simply put, it is another way to qualify for Permanent Residency from the Federal Skilled Worker category.

You have to apply at the appropriate provincial government office. Once that is done, you can apply for a Canada Immigration Visa.

Under this system, territories and provinces can nominate candidates that meet the needs of local and provincial labor markets. Under the PNP, this is called ‘enhanced’ nomination.

If you are able to get an enhanced nomination from a province, you are awarded 600 points by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) from a possible total of 1200.

You also get points for human capital and skills transferability. When all of these are combined, you stand a chance at receiving an Invitation to Apply at a draw from the Express Entry pool for permanent residency in Canada.

There are three federal economic immigration programs and you have to meet the eligibility criteria of any one of them to enter the Express Entry pool for selection. These are:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

Some territories and provinces and territories have a few extra criteria for their streams of immigration.

On the basis of the province you choose, you may enter the Express Entry pool first depending on your eligibility and subsequently be nominated by a province or territory or vice versa.

Outside of the Express Entry system, provinces and territories can nominate people under a regular or base PNP.

People who are desirous of immigrating to Canada but stand ineligible for the Express Entry system can apply through a base PNP if they are eligible for the provincial program. Their applications are not processed by Express Entry.

This process goes like this:

• You have to meet the criteria set for a PNP stream.
• Once eligible, you can apply for it.
• If you get the nomination certificate, you have to apply to the federal government to gain permanent residency.

No. The IRCC issues a Canadian Immigration Visa only once it is assured of meeting all statutory requirements in terms of health, security, and authenticity of documents.

These are:

• The applicant’s education and English/French language skills
• If the candidate has a valid job offer in the province
• The applicant’s work experience in critical industries
• If the applicant has close relations in a particular province and shows the ability to adapt to life there

Earlier called the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), is a process through which the province of Alberta nominates candidates to immigrate and settle down there.

There are three major immigration streams in the AINP system. These are:

• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Alberta Express Entry Stream
• Self-Employed Farmer Stream

This stream is the gateway to permanent residency for:

• Foreign graduates who have completed studies at a valid Alberta post-secondary institution
• Foreign nationals who work in Alberta

This stream is linked to the federal Express Entry system. Eligible candidates are reviewed from the Express Entry pool by the AINP and sent Notification of Interest (NOI) letters that invite them to send in their applications.

Under this stream, candidates with ample farming experience and possession of personal finances that will help them to buy and develop a farm in Alberta are deemed eligible for permanent residency in Alberta. The stipulations are:

• They must be farm owners or operators.
• They have the intention to settle in Alberta and either purchase or manage a farming business there.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a process through which the province of British Columbia nominates candidates to immigrate and settle down there to meet its economic and labor market needs.

The BC PNP system has two major categories applicants can apply through. These are:

• Skills Immigration
• Entrepreneur Immigration

The skills Immigration Stream is for:

• Foreign graduates
• Foreign workers

Both of these should be in occupations of varying skill levels set under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

These have five further categories:

• International Graduate Category
• International Post-Graduate Category
• Health Care Professional Category
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category
• Skilled Worker Category

For this, you should be any among the following:

• Physician
• Specialist
• Registered nurse/psychiatric nurse
• Nurse practitioner
• Midwife
• An allied health professional, such as:

• Diagnostic medical sonographer
• Clinical pharmacist
• Medical laboratory technologist
• Medical radiation technologist
• Occupational therapist
• Physiotherapist

If you want to settle down and make investments in British Columbia, you can do so under the Entrepreneur Immigration Stream. There are two categories of this stream, which are:

• Entrepreneur Category
• Strategic Projects Category

This program enables the province of Manitoba to nominate candidates to immigrate and settle down there to meet its needs.

There are four major streams of this program, which are:

• Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream (SWM)
• Skilled Worker Overseas Stream (SWO)
• International Education Stream (IES)
• Business Investor Stream (BIS)

If you are a foreign skilled worker who wants to settle down and work in Manitoba, this stream is perfect for you. It works on the system of Expression of Interest (EOI) and has two categories, which are:

• Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM)
• Skilled Worker Overseas

Under SWM, internationally trained workers whose skills are required in the local labor market of Manitoba are invited by the MPNP and nominated for the Canadian permanent resident visa by the IRCC.

If you are a foreign national with skilled work experience that can meet the labor market requirements of Manitoba, you can apply under the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream. The MPNP extends nominations to candidates that can show an established connection with Manitoba in terms of support extended by family members or friends, prior education or work experience, or have an invitation as part of a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.

Post renewal, four pathways have become part of the two streams of MPNP. These are:

• Manitoba Work Experience Pathway
• Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway
• Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
• Human Capital Pathway

If you are interested in settling down and investing in Manitoba, you can do so under the Business Investor Stream (BIS). It functions on the basis of an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. You have to submit your application expressing your intention of settling in Manitoba and it will go through the pool of applicants and select the most qualified among them.

BIS has two pathways:

• Entrepreneur Pathway
• Farm Investor Pathway

Morden is a rural town located 112 km southwest of Winnipeg in Manitoba. The Morden Community Driven Immigration Initiative seeks to draw in immigrants that can meet the needs of specifically targeted occupations like:

• Welders
• Carpenters
• Cooks
• Plumbers
• Pipefitters

Once selected, candidates and their dependent family members gain permanent residency in Canada. 

This is a process through which the province of New Brunswick nominates candidates to immigrate and settle down there to meet its economic and labor market needs.

Yes, this stream is linked to the federal Express Entry immigration selection system (enhanced Express Entry stream). Eligible candidates get an enhanced provincial nomination which adds an extra 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This helps them get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence at a later draw from the Express Entry pool.

This is a two-step process. If you are desirous of living and working in the province of New Brunswick, you should check the two streams in terms of your eligibility. Here are the four-stream of NBPNP:

• New Brunswick Business Applicants Stream
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker with Family Support Stream
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker with Employer Support Stream
• New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream

1. As the first step, you have to submit your complete application along with all supporting documents. The usual processing time for application is about three months (90 days) or more.
2. Once your application is approved and you get the nominee certificate, the second step is sending an application to the IRCC for a permanent resident visa within six months of getting the certificate. You, your spouse/common-law partner, and dependents (if applicable) have to meet the set criteria such as medical, security, and criminal admissibility.

If you want to settle down and either set up or buy a business in New Brunswick, you can apply via the Business Applicants Stream. Do note that you have to send in a preliminary business plan for approval by a New Brunswick government official.

Here they are:

• You should be between 22 and 55 years of age.
• You must have at least a high school diploma.
• You must show your intention of living and operating a business in New Brunswick and have a day-to-day management role in it.
• You have to show proof of possessing relevant and proven management experience in at least three of the last five years.
• Your personal net worth must be at least $300,000 CAD.
• You should have enough money to:

• Set up the business
• Settle down successfully in New Brunswick
• Support all dependent family members for up to two years

• You have to submit a conditionally refundable deposit of $75,000 CAD. A signed copy of the Deposit Agreement has to be submitted before nomination.
• You must get 50 points on a selection grid.
• You have to show adequate English/French language ability that will help you manage your business in New Brunswick.
• You will have to make at least one business trip to New Brunswick.
• Post your interview, you have to meet with an NBPNP official.

If you have worked in the province of New Brunswick and have family here, you can apply via this stream. You must be sponsored by a family member, who should be related to you either as a:

• Non-dependent child
• Brother/Sister
• Niece/Nephew

Grandchild

• You should be between 22 and 50 years of age.
• You must demonstrate adequate English or French ability to settle down in this province and meet all job duties in your occupation. For this, you have to show language test results that are not more than two years old from a valid testing agency;

• For English, you have to show the results of:
  • IELTS (General Training Test only)
  • CELPIP (General Test only)
• For French, you have to show the results of:
  • TEF
• You must hold the required education, qualifications, and/or license/certification for being able to fulfill the job duties in your intended occupation.
• In the last five years, you should have worked continuously and full-time in your intended occupation in New Brunswick.
• Your job should be represented in any one of the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill levels:
  • Skill levels O, A or B
  • Skill level C – Category 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9
  • Skill level D – Category 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9
• You should show your intention of living and working in New Brunswick. For this, you have to submit a Settlement Plan to the immigration Program Officer for approval.
• You should have the financial means to settle in New Brunswick, which means a minimum of $10,000 CAD. For each accompanying family member, you will need an additional $2,000.

If you have gotten a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in New Brunswick, this is the right stream for you.

To qualify, your employer has to show:

• Their inability to recruit a Canadian citizen/permanent resident for the post
• The compliance of the job with the set standards related to wages and employment.

Here they are:

• You must be between 22 and 55 years of age.
• You should have adequate English or French abilities to meet all job duties. If you are involved in semi- and low-skilled occupations (NOC levels C and D), you have to take a test at a valid testing agency. In your application, the results of this test may be required.
• You must show proof of having received an education, qualifications, and/or licenses and certifications to meet the job requirements in New Brunswick. For this, at the very least, you should have a high school level of education.
• You have to prove that you receive a genuine full-time, permanent employment offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer. Also,

• The business must have been operating in New Brunswick for at least one year.
• You have to show proof of your interview and subsequent hiring by the future employer.
• Your job should be among in one of these NOC skill levels:
  • Skill levels 0, A, or B
  • Skill level C – Skill type 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9
  • Skill level D – Skill type 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9
• If you belong to C or D level occupations, before you send in your application, you should have been working for the same employer that issued the job offer for at least one year.

• You have to show your intention of living and working in New Brunswick.
• You should be able to score at least 50 points on a selection grid.

The NBPNP is able to utilize this stream in conjunction with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system to get suitable candidates that can meet the specific requirements of its labor market and demographic scene.

If you are taking the NB-EELMS route, you have to complete the EOI form and send it to NBPNP within the first and the 15th of each month.

First, you will get a score on the basis of the provided information, and then certain other criteria shall be used to assess you.

If your score is high enough, you will be sent an email inviting you to apply to the NBPNP. Upon nomination by the NBPNP, your application will be processed through the federal government’s Express Entry electronic immigration management system within six months of submission.

Here they are:

• You must be between the ages of 22 and 55.
• You should be able to show language expertise:

• In all four language abilities – speaking, reading, writing, and listening
• Your score must be equal to or higher than the Canadian Language Benchmark of 7.
• Your language test results should not be more than two years old.
• Your test should have been done by a designated agency.

• For English, your test should be either IELTS (General Training Test only) or CELPIP (General test only).
• For French, your test should be TEF.

• In terms of education, you should have completed:

• Canadian secondary (high school)

OR

• Post-secondary educational credential (at least one academic year in length)

OR

• A foreign educational credential from an IRCC recognized institution or authority – you have to show an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.

• If you are applying for provincial nomination under occupation, you will have to:

• Prove that you have gotten a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer.
• Show proof of your having at least 12 months’ full-time/equivalent amount in part-time paid skilled work experience in New Brunswick in the last three years before you sent in the application.

This work experience cannot be via:

• Self-employment
• While you were a full-time student – volunteer work/unpaid internships/co-op terms, etc.

The work experience should belong to NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A, or B.

• You have to submit a signed form that shows your commitment to living and working in New Brunswick.
• You have to demonstrate that you have the financial means to support your own and all dependent family members’ settlement in this province. This won’t be necessary if:

• You have a valid job offer in Canada.
• You are currently working or are authorized to work in Canada.

• You have to get a score of at least 67 out of 100 points on a points grid with certain criteria.

In some cases, candidates may be asked to come in for an in-person interview.

When an applicant applies under PNP, they have to submit a Settlement Plan why they want to settle in a particular province and how they will live there. They also have to send a signed ‘Intention to Reside’ document along with the application.

However, under Canadian law, all Canadian citizens and permanent residents are allowed to work and reside in any location across Canada. So, once you get permanent residency, you can work and reside anywhere in Canada.

All Canadian provinces and territories have specific requirements in terms of the skills and experience they want their immigration applicants to have. The Newfoundland and Labrador’s Provincial Nominee Program helps this province to target such applicants and provide them with a Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nomination Certificate.

The possession of this certificate enables these foreign applicants to apply for Canadian permanent residence with much faster processing times than the other Canadian immigration classes.

Yes, this stream is linked to the federal Express Entry immigration selection system (enhanced Express Entry stream) and is knowns as the Newfoundland & Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker stream. Eligible candidates get an enhanced provincial nomination which adds an extra 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This helps them get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence at a later draw from the Express Entry pool.

If you want to live and work in this province, you should check your eligibility vis-à-vis the different NLPNP streams, which are:

• Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate Category
• Newfoundland and Labrador Skilled Worker Category
• Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate Entrepreneur
• Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker
• Newfoundland and Labrador International Entrepreneur

If you have a guaranteed job offer on the basis of certain specialized skills sought by the employers here, you can receive a nomination from them in this category.

If you are working here on a valid permit, then you are considered eligible for this category.

You are considered qualified under this program if you have a full-time job offer from an employer in this province.

While the main criteria are qualifications, experience, training, and occupational skills, you also must show your intention and ability in terms of settling down permanently here. Also, you must be able to meet the set English/French language requirements.

The International Graduate Category is for foreign graduates from a valid, recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada. Post-graduation, they have two years in which they can apply under this category.

You are considered qualified under this program if you have graduated recently from an eligible publicly-funded Canadian post-secondary institution and have stayed back in Canada on a Post-Graduate Work Permit with a full-time job offer from an employer in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

While the main criteria are qualifications, training, skills, and accreditation to perform the job, you also must show your intention and ability in terms of settling down permanently here. Also, you must be able to meet the set English/French language requirements.

This program enables Northwest Territories to nominate qualified applicants for certification which will help them to apply for permanent residency in Canada while enjoying faster processing times than other immigration classes.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has twoimmigration programs, which are:

• NTNP Employer Driven Program
• NTNP Business Stream

In this program, employers are able to hire skilled international workers to meet the requirements of the territory for which they were unable to find qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

There are three streams under this program, which are:

• Critical Impact Worker Stream
• Skilled Worker Stream
• Northwest Territories Express Entry Stream

NTNP’s Business Stream is for applicants with adequate business acumen and expertise along with the financial means to invest considerably in the Northwest Territories with a view of boosting its economic prospects.

Applicants who gain success in this stream possess the ability to either establish or purchase or invest in an already existing business here. They are chosen mainly for their proficiency at generating jobs for people living here. 

This program is a process through which the province of Nova Scotia nominates candidates to immigrate and settle down here to meet its economic and labor market needs.

This program has two immigration streams that are linked to the federal Express Entry immigration system, also called the enhanced Express Entry streams.

Candidates that get an enhanced provincial nomination from either of these two streams are awarded an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This means they get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.

This is a two-step process. Before you apply, you should first ascertain your eligibility in terms of different NSNP streams, which are:

• Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream
• Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
• Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
• Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
• Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
• Nova Scotia Physician Stream

First, you have to send in your complete application, along with all supporting documents. The processing time is usually around 3 months (90 days).

Once you get a nominee certificate, within the next six months, you have to apply for permanent residency at the IRCC.

Do note that you, your spouse/common-law partner, and all dependents (if applicable) have to meet the set medical, security, and criminal admissibility criteria.

A Nova Scotia employer can utilize this stream to offer a qualified applicant a full-time, permanent job if they can successfully show that they were unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the post.

There are three categories in this stream, which are:

• Skilled Workers
• Semi-Skilled Workers
• Low-Skilled Workers

In this, highly skilled workers with experience in NOC level 0, A, or B occupations are prioritized over others.

All applicants have to meet certain eligibility criteria, which are as follows:

• They must provide proof of legal status if they are already living in Canada.
• Those living abroad have to provide proof of legal status in their current country of residence.
• They should be aged between 21 and 55 years of age at the time of application.
• They should show proof of having received a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia.
• They should have a high school level of education, which means 12 years of study, and the licensing/certification required to perform the job.
• They must be willing to settle down and work in Nova Scotia.
• They must have proof of 12 months of relevant work experience in the last five years.
• They should have the language ability required for the program, which is:

• • For NOC levels 0, A, or B – CLB level 5 in English or French
  • For NOC levels C or D – CLB level 4 in English or French

They should have the financial means to support themselves and their family, if applicable, in Nova Scotia.

The following are the eligibility requirements for employers who are sponsoring applicants through this program:

• They should be based permanently in Nova Scotia.
• They, under the present management, should have operated in Nova Scotia for at least two years.
• They must issue a full time, permanent job posting to the applicant, with the following conditions:

• • The job should be based in Nova Scotia.
  • The salary and benefits should be according to provincial employment standards.
  • The post must be one that can’t be filled by qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and the employer has to show proof that they tried to get the same to fill it but were unable to.
  • The post should not be in breach of:

• • • Existing bargaining unit agreements
    • Labor agreements/standards

Or involved in any employment disputes

• The employer should be able to demonstrate a history of good workplace and business practices. They should also be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.

If you are an experienced business owner or senior business manager desirous of starting or acquiring a business in Nova Scotia that you would like to manage actively on a daily basis, this stream is perfect for you.

In this stream, applicants are temporarily approved and given a valid work permit to run a business for at least one continuous year before they are nominated for permanent residency in Canada.

Here are the qualifying requirements:

• NSOI designated third-party professionals should be able to verify that your Net Business and Personal Assets are at least $600,000 CAD and you have accumulated them via legal means.
• You should show at least three years of business ownership experience with 33.33 percent ownership.

OR

You should have five years or more of experience in a senior business manager role in the last 10 years.

• You have to invest at least $150,000 CAD as capital to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia.
• You should have adequate language abilities in either English or French which must be verified by a valid language testing agency. Do remember that your language test should have been taken within two years before you submitted your EOI.
• In terms of education, you should have a Canadian high school diploma/an equivalent foreign credential as verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This should be within five years before you submit the EOI.
• You must show a Business Establishment Plan which you have in-depth knowledge of.
• You have to agree to reside in Nova Scotia.

This is for recent graduates from Nova Scotia’s colleges and universities who have already bought or started a business here and intend to stay here permanently to run or manage it.

Here are the requirements:

• You have a full-time post-secondary diploma/degree (minimum two years in length) from an eligible Nova Scotia university or Community College.
• You have resided in Nova Scotia as a full-time student during the entire academic term.
• You are able to show your intention of settling down permanently in Nova Scotia.
• Before you submit your EOI, you have owned and operated a business in Nova Scotia for a minimum of one continuous year.
• You have adequate language abilities in English/French that have been verified by a valid language testing agency. The results of your language tests should be within two years before you submit your EOI.
• You should be 21 years of age or more and have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit when you apply to the NSOI.
• You must own 100% business equity and participate actively in its daily management and direction.
• You should be able to show that you are being compensated in the form of salary from the business which should meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by Statistics Canada.

This stream targets applicants with a post-secondary education and qualifications that will enable them to settle down successfully in Nova Scotia.

You have to meet all eligibility requirements to enter the federal Express Entry pool through any of the following federal economic immigration classes:

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

This stream has two categories:

• First, applicants should receive an arranged job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
• For the second, applicants must have the following:

• • A minimum of one year of continuous full-time/part-time equivalent paid work experience in the last five years
  • This experience should be in a NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B occupation.

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream has two routes:

• You can apply directly to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI).
• You may be selected from the federal Express Entry pool by the NSOI.

Here are the requirements:

• You must possess a foreign diploma/certificate/credentials along with its educational credential equivalency assessment that’s by a designated body OR you should have a Canadian educational credential.
• You should have a minimum of one year of full-time/part-time equivalent paid work experience in the last 10 years in a NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B occupation.
• You should have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 proficiency in all four language components (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in either English or French.
• You must be able to get a minimum of 67 points out of 100 on a points grid.

In some cases, you may have to attend an in-person interview.

If you are a skilled applicant who has been employed with a Nova Scotia employer for a year or more, you can utilize this stream to seek permanent residency in Canada under the following pathways.

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

You have two application routes to choose from:

• You can apply directly to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI)
• You may get selected from the federal Express Entry pool by the NSOI.

Here are the required qualifications:

• You should be aged from 21-55 years.
• You must possess a minimum of 12 months full-time/equivalent amount in part-time paid skilled work experience in Nova Scotia, along with these requirements:

• • This experience must be within three years from the date of your application.
  • It must not be gained through:
    • self-employment
    • while studying full-time
  • It should not be in NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A, or B
  • Volunteer work, unpaid internships, and co-op terms are not considered in this work experience.

• Your work experience should have proper authorization in the form of a work permit, etc.
• In terms of education, you should either have:

• • a Canadian secondary/post-secondary educational credential

OR

• • a foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority

• If you got the educational credential abroad, it must be accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an IRCC-designated organization.

• You must have adequate language proficiency in English or French in all four abilities – speaking, reading, writing, and listening. You have to take the tests for these at an IRCC-designated agency.
• You must show your intention of settling down and living in Nova Scotia.

You should be able to get a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on a points grid.

This stream is aligned with the Express Entry system – it enables the NSNP to select applicants who can fulfill the requirements of the provincial labor market and send them a provincial nomination.

Selected applicants must get a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration to be able to apply for this.

This program enables the province of Ontario to send an Ontario Provincial Nomination Certificate to prospective immigrants to put them on the fast track of applying for permanent residency in Canada at a faster processing rate than the others.

In this process, applicants and their dependents are nominated by the province for permanent Canadian residency on the basis of provincial labor market objectives.

This program has two types of nominations: base and enhanced (Express Entry).

On the basis of the stream, applicants can:

• Apply directly to the program
• Get a Notification of Interest (NOI), which is an invitation to apply from the province

Your eligibility is ascertained by the province which then processes your application and if you meet the set criteria, you are sent a provincial nomination certificate.

Once you receive it, you can apply for permanent residency.

You can apply to the OINP under these categories:

• Ontario Express Entry

• General Category or Employer Category
• International Student Category
• Business Category

There are two streams associated with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system (enhanced Express Entry streams).

If you get an enhanced provincial nomination, an additional 600 CRS points are awarded to you. This substantially increases your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a later draw from the Express Entry pool.

Ontario employers use this category to offer international workers, who may be abroad or in Canada, permanent positions for skilled jobs for NOC Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B.

First, the employer has to send in a Pre-screen Application to the OINP to get approval for the post they want to be filled.

Post-approval, the international worker has to send in a Nominee Application to the OINP.

Here are the eligibility requirements:

• You should have at least two years of valid and paid work experience in Canada or outside. This work experience should be within the last five years in the occupation you intend to join.

OR

You should have appropriate registration in Ontario if you are applying for a position in a regulated occupation.

• Your employer should offer you a permanent, full-time job offer in a skilled occupation at NOC levels 0, A, or B.
• You should either be residing outside of Canada

OR

You should be residing in Canada, working here on a valid work permit, or visiting Canada on a study permit or visitor record.

Here are the requirements:

• They should possess an active business for a minimum of three years.
• Their business should be based in Ontario and be compliant with all provincial labor laws.
• They should show proof that they put in ample efforts in terms of recruitment, especially if the applicant is:

• • Presently living abroad
  • Working elsewhere in Canada
  • Visiting Canada

International graduates that seek to settle down and prosper economically in Ontario go for this category which is open to them whether they have a job offer or not in this province.

There are three streams in this category:

• International Student – Masters Graduate Stream
• International Student – Ph.D. Graduate Stream
• International Student – with a Job Offer Stream

Here are the requirements for international students – with a Job Offer Stream:

• You should have either graduated from a valid publicly-funded Canadian college or university or have fulfilled the requirements of a full-time degree or diploma program.

• • Your study program must be a minimum of two years. or You should have pursued a one-year post-graduate certificate program that requires a previous degree or diploma which may have been obtained abroad.

• You have to show proof of having received a permanent, full-time job offer:

• • in a skilled occupation at NOC levels 0, A, or B
  • that fulfills entry-level wage levels for that occupation
  • that does not have to be in the same field as your degree or diploma

• You should send in your application within two years of receiving your Canadian degree or diploma.

First, the employer has to send in a Pre-screen Application to the OINP to get approval for the post. Post-approval, the prospective nominee has to send in a Nominee Application to the OINP.

Here are the qualifications required for the International Student – Masters Graduate Stream:

• You must show your intent of living and working permanently in this province.
• You should have graduated from a valid publicly funded university in Ontario with a Master’s program degree where the length of your program should be a minimum of one year on a full-time basis.
• Your application must be submitted within two years of getting the Master’s degree.
• You must presently be legally residing in Ontario, with a study permit, work permit, or visitor record.
• You should have test results from a valid test center that show adequate language proficiency level in English or French language that follow the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in the following abilities:

• • Listening: IELTS 6 or TEF 249-279
  • Reading: IELTS 6 or TEF 207-232
  • Writing: IELTS 6 or TEF 310-348
  • Speaking: IELTS 6 or TEF 310-348,

• You should have the financial means to support yourself and your family.
• You should be able to prove that you have been residing in Ontario for a minimum of 12 months (in total) in the past two years.
• You do not have any intention of going in for further academic studies in Ontario.

Here are the qualifications required for the International Student – Ph.D. Graduate Stream:

• You must show your intent of living and working permanently in this province.
• You should have fulfilled all Ph.D. program requirements at a valid publicly funded university in Ontario where the length of your program should be a minimum of two years.
• Your application must be submitted within two years of getting the Ph.D.
• If you are present in Ontario at the time of application, you must present legal proof in the form of a study permit, work permit, or visitor record. However, that is not mandatory if you are not present in Canada at the time of application.

This category is aimed at nominating entrepreneurs and the main staff of foreign corporations for Canadian permanent residence.

It has two streams:

• Entrepreneur Stream – this is for individuals interested in establishing or buying a business in Ontario.
• Corporate Stream – this is for international corporations that either want to expand into Ontario or purchase an existing business here.

Here are the criteria for entrepreneurs:

• In the last 60 months, you should have a minimum of 36 months (3 years) of full-time business experience as either a business owner or senior manager. Do note that in your application and EOI, you can mention just one category among business owners or senior managers even if you have experience in both.
• You should have a minimum net worth which depends on where your business is situated. As proof of net worth, you will have to provide a third-party verification report made by an authorized service.

• Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – $1,500,000
• Outside of GTA – $800,000
• If your business is in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location) – $800,000

• You have to invest personally in the business – this amount depends on the business’s location.
  • Within the GTA – $1,000,000
  • Outside of GTA – $500,000
  • If your business is in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location) – $500,000.
• Your equity ownership should at least be 33.3 percent.
• You have to ensure the creation of two permanent, full-time jobs for:
• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents

In case you buy an already existing business, you have to make sure you create two new full-time permanent positions, which will be in addition to the currently existing staff.

Do note that if you are buying an already existing business before you send in your EOI application, you have to make one or more business-related visits to Ontario in the preceding year. Also, if you are applying in conjunction with a business partner, they must fulfill these requirements on an individual basis.

Here are the criteria:

• At the time of application, the corporation should have been established for at least 3 years (36 months).
• They should have key staff that are vital to the business’s operations. This staff should be seeking nominations. These nominees will have a period of two years to show adequate language proficiency before they send in their permanent residency nomination.
• For each nominee, the corporation has to create five full-time permanent jobs for Canadian citizens/permanent residents.

• • Their posts must have compensation that is either at par or higher than the related prevailing wage level.
  • These posts should be filled continuously for a minimum of 10 months before the Final Report is submitted.

The following criteria apply if it is a case of business succession:

• The existing business should have been operating continuously for at least five years under the same ownership.
• There must be a complete transfer of the ownership from the present owner/s to the corporation.
• The ownership or operation of the business should not have been under any current or former OINP business stream nominees.
• The corporation’s proposed business plan must aim at enhancing and developing the business.
• The existing staff’s salaries and terms must be maintained by the corporation, which should also preserve all permanent, full-time positions.
• There must be a strong commitment by the corporation to create further, relevant jobs.

A request for five key staff members can be sent from the corporations. These members are responsible for setting up the business in Ontario and are thus seeking nomination to relocate to Ontario on a permanent basis.

The requirements for them to do so include:

• Their presence is vital for the corporation’s setup and operations.
• In the existing business, they must be in the capacity of:

• • Senior
  • Executive
  • Management
  • Specialized knowledge capacity, which falls under National Occupation Classification 0 or A

Do note that just one key staff member in a NOC A position can be proposed.

• They must have experience of at least 3 years in the last 60 months in the position they intend to hold in the business.
• Before they sent in their application, they should have been working in that position on a continuous basis for the last 12 months.
• They should not have an immediate family relationship, such as:

• • Spouse/s
  • Mothers
  • Fathers
  • Sisters
  • Brothers
  • Grandparents
  • Spouse’s immediate family members

with a member of the corporation’s Executive Board/Board of Directors/Shareholders with more than 10 percent equity in the business.

• They should not have any company equity. This rule doesn’t apply when any equity has been obtained as part of the remuneration package under the employment contract. If that is so, their equity should not be more than 10 percent of the business.

• They must hold permanent full-time jobs at the prevalent salary level in the business.

If you are an international worker with the kind of education, work experience, and other characteristics that will make you a good fit for Ontario’s labor market and communities, this stream is perfect for you.

To apply for it, you have to clear all eligibility requirements for the Express Entry Pool through the:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class

OR

• Canadian Experience Class

Here are the requirements:

• You should have at least 400 CRS points – for both the Ontario nomination processing stage and when applying at the federal stage for permanent residency.
• In terms of work experience:

• For Federal Skilled Worker Class – applicants should have a minimum of one year’s continuous full-time employment experience/part-time equivalent in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) level 0, A, or B in the last five years before the date of NOI from the OINP.
• For Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – applicants should have a minimum of one year’s cumulative full-time employment experience/part-time equivalent in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation in Canada in the last three years before the date of NOI from the OINP.

• In terms of education:
  • They should hold either a Canadian
  • Bachelor’s
  • Master’s
  • D. degree

OR

• • an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report that’s been made by a valid organization assuring that the foreign education credential is equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.

• They should show adequate language ability in all four competencies – speaking, reading, writing, and listening – at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or above. Their test results should be from a designated testing agency in any of the following tests:

• • English – IELTS/ CELPIP (General Training Test only)
  • French – TEF

• They should express their intention of settling down and living in Ontario via a statement of intent.
• They should show proof via bank statements of having enough funds that would help them to reside in Ontario.

If you are applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, you have to score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on IRCC selection criteria of language skills, age, education, work experience, employability, and arranged employment in Canada.

If you are applying under the CEC, you:

• Should have a minimum of one year’s full-time/part-time equivalent cumulative paid work experience in Canada in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the last three years.
• Have to possess a language skill level of:

• • CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs
  • CLB 5 for NOC B jobs

Applicants for the Human Capital Priorities Stream should have a language level of CLB 7 in English/French regardless of the occupation they are in.

• Should not have a plan to live in Quebec.

Do note that if you are planning to live outside Ontario, it is considered as a contradiction of your statement of intent to reside in Ontario – which may lead to a rejection of your OINP application.

If you are a French-Speaking skilled worker who has solid English language capability, education, work experience, and other characteristics that will make you a good fit for Ontario’s labor market and communities, and you too want to live and work permanently in this province, this stream is perfect for you.

To apply for it, you have to clear all eligibility requirements for the Express Entry Pool through the:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class

OR

• Canadian Experience Class

Do note that you cannot apply directly to this stream. You have to first get a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the OINP.

For this, the applicant must:

• Possess adequate language ability in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in both English and French.

Their test levels should be Canadian Language Benchmark:

• French – CLB 7
• English – CLB 6

Their test results should be from a designated testing agency in any of the following tests:

• English – IELTS/ CELPIP (General Training Test only)
• French – TEF

In terms of work experience:

• For the Federal Skilled Worker Program – applicants should have a minimum of one year’s continuous full-time employment experience/part-time equivalent in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) level 0, A, or B in the last five years before the date of NOI from the OINP.
• For Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – applicants should have a minimum of one year’s cumulative full-time employment experience/part-time equivalent in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation in Canada in the last three years before the date of NOI from the OINP.

In terms of education:

• They should hold either a Canadian
  • Bachelor’s
  • Master’s
  • D. degree

OR

• • an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report that’s been made by a valid organization assuring that the foreign education credential is equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.

• They should express their intention of settling down and living in Ontario via a statement of intent.
• They should show proof via bank statements of having enough funds that would help them to reside in Ontario.

If you are applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, you have to score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on IRCC selection criteria of language skills, education, age, work experience, employability, and arranged employment in Canada.

If you are applying under the CEC, you:

• Should have a minimum of one year’s full-time/part-time equivalent cumulative paid work experience in Canada in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the last three years.
• Have to possess a language skill level of:

• • CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs
  • CLB 5 for NOC B jobs

Applicants for the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream should have a language level of CLB 7 in French and CLB 6 in English regardless of the occupation they are in.

• Should not have a plan to live in Quebec.

Do note that if you are planning to live outside Ontario, it is considered as a contradiction of your statement of intent to reside in Ontario – which may lead to a rejection of your OINP application.

All applicants who are applying to the PNP have to provide a settlement plan detailing their intention to settle in the province. They also have to send in a signed ‘Intention to Reside’ document along with the application.

However, Canadian law allows all its citizens and permanent residents to work or live anywhere in Canada. Once you gain permanent residency, you can live and work in any Canadian province or territory.

This program enables the province of Prince Edward Island to nominate eligible candidates to meet its economic and labor market requirements.

This program has two immigration streams that are linked to the federal Express Entry immigration system, also called the enhanced Express Entry streams.

Candidates that get an enhanced provincial nomination from either of these two streams are awarded an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This means they get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.

This is a two-step process. Before you apply, you should first ascertain your eligibility in terms of different PEI PNP streams, which are:

• PEI Business Impact Category
• PEI Labour Impact Category
• PEI PNP Express Entry

First, you have to send in your complete application, along with all supporting documents. The processing time is usually around 3 months (90 days).

Once you get a nominee certificate, within the next six months, you have to apply for permanent residency at the IRCC.

Do note that you, your spouse/common-law partner, and all dependents (if applicable) have to meet the set medical, security, and criminal admissibility criteria.

If you are a foreign national who’s interested in investing and actively managing a business in PEI, this category is perfect for you. It has just one stream – The work Permit Stream.

You can apply under this category if you have the skills and experience required in the labor market of this province. It has three sub-categories:

• Skilled Worker Stream

• Critical Worker Stream
• International Graduate Stream

Applicants that qualify for any among the following federal economic immigration programs:

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

Under the Express Entry system and want to settle down and work in Prince Edward Island can apply under the PEI PNP Express Entry Stream, which has a processing time period of around six months (or less).

This program enables the province of Saskatchewan to nominate eligible candidates to meet its economic and labor market requirements.

All candidates are accepted under three categories:

• International Skilled Worker Category
• Saskatchewan Experience Category
• Entrepreneur and Farm Category

Here they are:

You should have a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan employer in either of the following positions:

• Skilled worker
• Professional
• Managerial

OR

• You should possess ample work experience in any of the in-demand occupations in Saskatchewan.

Individuals interested in applying to the SINP under the Saskatchewan Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand categories must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply.

If you are already living and working in Saskatchewan, this is the perfect category for you. Applications are accepted via the following sub-categories:

• Existing Work Permit
• Health Professionals
• Hospitality Sector Project
• Long Haul Truck Drivers
• Students

If you are a student who graduated from a valid post-secondary institution in Canada, this sub-category is applicable to you.

You should have a minimum of 2 years’ full-time work experience in Canada. If your post-secondary education institution is in Saskatchewan, this experience can be six months.

This is for people who have been working in Saskatchewan for a minimum of six months and hold a valid work permit in the following capacities:

• Food and beverage servers
• Food counter attendants
• Kitchen helpers
• Housekeeping and cleaning staff

Do note that before the candidate commences with work, their employer should gain approval from the province.

This program enables the province of Yukon to send a Yukon Provincial Nomination Certificate to prospective immigrants to put them on the fast track of applying for permanent residency in Canada at a faster processing rate than the others.

It has four immigration programs, which are:

• Yukon Express Entry (YEE)
• YNP Skilled Worker Program
• YNP Critical Impact Worker Program
• Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)

Here are the criteria:

• Applicants must have at least 56 points on the Nominee Assessment Grid.
• In terms of language ability, they should reach at least Level 6 in IELTS (English) or Level 4 in TEF (French).
• They must possess adequate experience in business management or entrepreneurship.
• Their financial worth should be verified by a certified third party and you should possess at least $250,000 CAD with $150,000 CAD in liquid assets, like cash, bonds, cash derivatives, etc., all of which were obtained through legal methods.
• The applicant has to:

• • Send in a business plan that details how they would set up a successful business venture in any of the various industries that are listed in the Strategic Sector List.
  • Show at least $150,000 CAD investment in the business which is equal to or more than 33.33 percent ownership.

OR

• • Show equity investment of at least $1,000,000 CAD in any business among one of the industries listed in the Strategic Sector List.

In both these options, the applicant should show their active and continual management of the business.

• • Provide a Resettlement Plan that clearly demonstrates their intention of living in Yukon. They may have to fulfill some additional criteria in their first two years in Yukon.

This program enables employers to sponsor experienced people to meet the high demands for semi-skilled or unskilled occupations in Yukon. These applicants should have a job offer from an employer in Yukon, regardless of whether they are present in Yukon or not.

All applicants who are applying to the PNP have to provide a settlement plan detailing their intention to settle in the province. They also have to send in a signed ‘Intention to Reside’ document along with the application.

However, Canadian law allows all its citizens and permanent residents to work or live anywhere in Canada. Once you gain permanent residency, you can live and work in any Canadian province or territory.