01 — Overview
How provincial nomination works
The PNP allows participating provinces and territories to nominate people whose skills, education, work experience or business background fit local priorities and who genuinely intend to live in that jurisdiction.
There are two federal application routes after nomination: an Express Entry process for eligible candidates and a non-Express Entry process. Québec and Nunavut do not operate PNPs.
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Official provincial and territorial programs
Alberta — AAIP
Worker and entrepreneur pathways selected according to Alberta’s economic and labour-market priorities.
British Columbia — BC PNP
Worker, graduate, entrepreneur and business pathways administered by British Columbia.
Manitoba — MPNP
Skilled worker, international education and business investor pathways with Manitoba connections and priorities.
New Brunswick — NBPNP
Skilled worker, Express Entry, strategic initiative and business immigration streams.
Newfoundland and Labrador — NLPNP
Express Entry skilled worker, skilled worker, graduate and entrepreneur categories.
Northwest Territories — NTNP
Employer-driven, Francophone and business streams; intake availability must be checked.
Nova Scotia — NSNP
Provincial pathways and selection priorities for workers, graduates and entrepreneurs.
Ontario — OINP
Employer Job Offer, Express Entry, graduate and entrepreneur-related pathways under Ontario’s current system.
Prince Edward Island — PEI PNP
Workforce and Express Entry pathways, with selection based on provincial labour needs.
Saskatchewan — SINP
Worker, job-offer, sector and entrepreneur options subject to current Saskatchewan criteria.
Yukon — YNP
Employer-supported and business pathways for candidates intending to settle in Yukon.
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Common factors provinces examine
- A genuine intention and realistic ability to settle in the nominating province or territory
- Occupation, work experience, education and language ability
- A qualifying local job offer or current employment where the stream requires one
- Local study, work, family or community connections where relevant
- Employer eligibility and compliance for employer-driven streams
- Available nomination spaces and current provincial priorities
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Two possible federal routes
- 01
Choose the jurisdiction and stream
Start with the province’s current official criteria, not an old stream list or previous draw.
- 02
Obtain a nomination
Complete any expression of interest, invitation and provincial application steps required by that stream.
- 03
Express Entry route
If the nomination is Express Entry-aligned, accept it in the profile and proceed after a federal invitation.
- 04
Non-Express Entry route
If it is a base nomination, apply for permanent residence through IRCC’s non-Express Entry PNP process.
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Important points
- A nomination is not permanent residence. IRCC still decides admissibility and the federal PR application.
- Express Entry nomination normally adds 600 CRS points after it is accepted.
- Provincial streams may pause, reopen, target specific occupations or change employer rules during the year.
- Nominees must maintain a genuine intention to reside in the province or territory that nominated them.
Official sources
Verify the current rules at the source.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Program status, criteria and intake can change. Confirm the current official instructions before applying.