Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Various demands for foreign workers have been increasing all throughout Canada. Therefore, most provinces and territories in the country have collaborated with the Canadian national government to develop the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), a program designed to take care of their local needs.
To summarize, a foreign worker will need to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program of a certain province or territory before applying for Canadian immigration with the national government. Once approved for a provincial nomination, the foreign worker will apply for immigration to Canada through the national government which has the authority to issue a Canadian visa to them.
Participating Provinces and Territories
The provinces and territories that participate in the Provincial Nominee Program include:
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Alberta
- Yukon Territory
- Ontario
- Saskatchewan
- Prince Edward Island
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Northwest Territories
- Newfoundland and Labrador
It should be noted that the French-speaking province of Quebec does not take part in the Provincial Nominee Program. For this reason, foreign workers who intend to live and work in Quebec should instead apply through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). This points-based program has its own requirements and procedures.
PNP Requirements
Different provinces and territories have unique application requirements for their Provincial Nominee Program. These differences arise because each province or territory makes its own eligibility requirements, based on its local needs. In general, the Provincial Nominee Program procedures will usually involve the following:
- Having a lot of experience in an occupation that qualifies for a particular PNP;
- Having trained for the occupation you are applying for and having post-secondary documents;
- Applicants should be within a certain age group;
- Ability to speak English or French at a certain level;
- Some of the PNPs have certain point systems and a minimum points score is essential for numerous factors that are considered;
- Foreign workers should agree to live in the province or territory they have applied for or have been nominated by;
- Having a “certain” connection with the province or territory might be essential;
- The provincial nomination is required in advance before one applies for a Permanent Residence Visa to Canada;
- The family members of the foreign workers must be of good character and have good health; and
- Supporting documents will be required to indicate satisfaction of the Canadian immigration criteria.
Procedure to Apply for a PNP
The procedure to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program may vary widely, depending on which Canadian province or territory you want to live and work in. This is because each province or territory that participates in the PNP creates its own eligibility requirements and application procedure. Nonetheless, the application procedure usually involves two main steps:
Applying for the Provincial Nominee Program
Foreign workers may apply for the Provincial Nominee Program of a certain province or territory through a process called the Non-Express Entry Stream. This process is either conducted online or through the mail system. If the provincial nomination is received by the foreign worker, they can move forward to the next step. There is also an option to apply for the PNP through the Express Entry Stream, which is done by filing an online Express Entry profile, registering with Canada’s Job Bank and other steps. If the applicant receives a provincial nomination, he or she may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Express Entry immigration to Canada!
Applying for Canadian Permanent Residency
After getting the provincial nomination, foreign workers may apply to the Canadian immigration agency for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada. They will have to submit their Canadian visa application, supporting documents (such as health records, proof of funds, police certificates, and education documents), and pay the Canadian Visa Application Fee.
If approved by the government for Canadian immigration, the applicant will receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). A Permanent Resident Visa to Canada will also be stamped in their valid passport. When the new immigrant is ready to travel, work, and live in Canada, the various documents will be particularly important. This is because they need to be shown to the authorities at the point of entry. After they have passed all of the requirements, the new immigrant will be able to enjoy their rights and privileges as a Canadian permanent resident living and working in the province or territory that nominated them.
Advantages of Permanent Residency
When immigrants move to Canada together with their families through the Provincial Nominee Program, they can enjoy most of the privileges that Canadian citizens get to enjoy. Such advantages include the freedom to live in Canada for a long time (i.e., permanently) and to get access to the education programs in the country which they can use to further their careers.
Of course, Canadian permanent residents are allowed to work in Canada and can even start their own business if they so desire.
Aside from that, they are entitled to free or subsidized public healthcare and can also apply for a driver’s license in their area of residence.
Permanent residents of Canada have the right to travel to and from the country, sponsor family members for a Canadian visa, and can enjoy the high standard of living that Canada has to offer.
After a Canadian permanent resident lives in Canada for three years during a five-year time period, they can apply to become a Canadian citizen!
DISCLAIMER: This information is not and should not be considered as expert or professional advice.
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