Canada immigration guide

Provincial Nominee Programs: how Canada’s PNP pathways work

Understand provincial nomination, Express Entry and non-Express Entry processes, common selection factors, documents and the commitment to settle in the province that nominates you.

Last reviewed against IRCC sources: 2 September 2026

Provincial nomination at a glance

The Provincial Nominee Program allows participating provinces and territories to nominate people for permanent residence based on their economic, labour-market and regional priorities. There is no single national PNP application with one set of requirements.

Selection authorityEach participating province or territory designs its own streams

Application routesExpress Entry-aligned or non-Express Entry

Express Entry nomination600 additional CRS points after acceptance

A provincial nomination is not permanent residence. The province or territory selects and nominates you. IRCC still assesses the permanent residence application, including program eligibility, documents and admissibility.

How the PNP system works

Participating jurisdictions create streams for the types of candidates they want to attract or retain. Streams may focus on skilled workers, workers in specific occupations, existing employees, international graduates, French speakers, entrepreneurs, rural communities or candidates with other local connections.

Some streams remain open continuously. Others use expression-of-interest pools, invitation rounds, limited application windows or direct notifications to selected Express Entry profiles. A stream can pause, change its occupation list or adjust its criteria without changing the federal PNP rules.

Two separate decisions

Provincial or territorial decision: the jurisdiction decides whether you meet its stream requirements and whether it will nominate you.
Federal decision: after nomination, IRCC decides the permanent residence application and whether you and your family members are admissible.

You must intend to live in the province or territory that nominates you. This should be a genuine settlement plan supported by your choices and circumstances—not only a way to obtain additional Express Entry points.

Express Entry versus non-Express Entry PNP

Question	Express Entry-aligned PNP	Non-Express Entry PNP
Federal eligibility	You must qualify for CEC, FSWP or FSTP as well as the provincial stream	You must qualify for the provincial stream; Express Entry program eligibility is not required
Profile	An eligible Express Entry profile is needed	The provincial process comes first; the federal application uses the non-Express Entry PNP process
CRS effect	An accepted nomination adds 600 CRS points	CRS is not used for the federal application
After nomination	Wait for an Express Entry invitation, then apply through the Express Entry system	Apply to IRCC through the permanent residence portal using the PNP non-Express Entry instructions
Processing	Uses the Express Entry permanent residence process	Uses a separate federal PNP process; do not assume the same processing time

The province or territory tells you which process applies to the stream. Do not choose a federal route based only on which one appears faster.

Who may be worth a closer PNP review?

Workers in locally needed occupations

Your NOC, duties and experience may match a stream’s current labour-market priorities.

Candidates with a qualifying job offer

Many employer-driven streams require a local offer, employer eligibility and specific employment conditions.

People already working or studying locally

Some streams favour candidates with authorized work, local education, settlement experience or an employer relationship in the province.

Express Entry candidates

A province may invite a profile that matches its priorities, even when the candidate has not applied directly to that province yet.

French-speaking candidates

Some provinces operate Francophone or bilingual pathways aligned with regional immigration goals.

Entrepreneurs and business operators

Provincial business streams may assess management experience, net worth, investment, active operation and job creation.

A job offer is not a universal PNP requirement. Some streams require one, some do not, and others use different requirements for candidates already living in the province. Check the exact stream rather than relying on a general PNP summary.

How to choose provinces to research

Start with genuine fit rather than applying everywhere. Provincial governments may assess whether your profile supports a credible intention to settle and contribute locally.

Occupation and duties: compare your correct NOC with current stream rules, draws and occupation restrictions.
Job location: confirm whether the employer, worksite and position meet the province’s requirements.
Current status: some streams require valid temporary status or authorized work in Canada.
Education and licensing: regulated occupations may require provincial licensing or proof that licensing is underway.
Language: minimum CLB or NCLC levels can vary by stream and NOC.
Connections: previous study, work, family or residence may support certain streams.
Settlement plan: research employment, housing, community and licensing realities in the destination.
Stream status: verify whether the stream is open, invitation-only, paused or accepting a limited group.

Do not treat an old invitation score, occupation list or social-media announcement as a current application rule. Open the province’s official page and read the stream instructions in effect when you apply.

Participating provinces and territories

IRCC lists the following jurisdictions as operating provincial or territorial nominee programs:

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

Quebec and Nunavut do not have PNPs. Quebec manages its own economic immigration programs. Nunavut does not operate a territorial nominee program.

Use IRCC’s PNP directory to open the official website for each participating jurisdiction. Provincial program names, streams and intake arrangements can change.

Express Entry PNP process

Confirm dual eligibility

Check that you meet both a provincial Express Entry stream and at least one federal Express Entry program.

Create or update your Express Entry profile

Keep the profile accurate and indicate the provinces and territories where you are interested in settling.

Apply or receive a notification of interest

Depending on the stream, apply directly to the province or respond to a provincial notification. A notification of interest is not a nomination.

Receive and confirm the nomination

The province confirms an approved nomination electronically. IRCC gives you 30 calendar days to accept or reject it in your account.

Receive 600 additional CRS points

After acceptance, the nomination adds 600 CRS points. You may then be invited in an applicable Express Entry round.

Submit permanent residence after an invitation

If IRCC invites you, submit the complete application within the Express Entry deadline and continue meeting both provincial and federal requirements.

Non-Express Entry PNP process

Choose an eligible provincial stream

Confirm current requirements, intake status and your intention to settle in that jurisdiction.

Apply to the province or territory

Complete its application or expression-of-interest process and provide the required evidence.

Receive a nomination

If approved, the jurisdiction issues a nomination certificate or official notice and explains the next federal step.

Apply to IRCC through the PR portal

Follow the current non-Express Entry PNP document checklist, forms and online application instructions.

Complete federal requirements

Pay the required fees and respond to instructions for biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates or further documents.

Wait for IRCC’s decision

IRCC verifies completeness, nomination validity, eligibility and admissibility. Processing times depend on the route and case.

Documents to plan for

The province and IRCC each issue their own requirements. Your exact list depends on the stream, family composition and federal process.

Valid passports or travel documents for applicants.
Language test results where required by the stream or federal program.
Education credentials and Educational Credential Assessments when required.
Employment records supporting dates, hours, pay and NOC duties.
Job-offer and employer documents for employer-driven streams.
Licensing or certification evidence for regulated occupations or trades.
Proof of status in Canada if the stream requires current temporary status.
Settlement funds and financial evidence when required.
Civil-status documents for spouses, partners and dependent children.
Police certificates, medical examinations and biometrics for the federal application.
The nomination certificate or provincial approval notice.

Provincial fees and federal fees are separate. Amounts and refund rules vary. Use the province’s official fee page and IRCC’s current federal fee list before paying.

What a nomination does—and does not—provide

An Express Entry nomination can add 600 CRS points after you accept it.
A nomination supports a permanent residence application under the approved route.
A nomination does not guarantee IRCC approval.
A nomination does not automatically give you temporary status or permission to work.
You still need a valid work permit to work in Canada while permanent residence is processed.
You must keep the province and IRCC informed of material changes required by their instructions.
You must continue to intend to settle in the nominating province or territory.

If your work permit is expiring, check whether a provincial support letter, an employer-specific option or a bridging open work permit may apply. Do not assume a nomination alone extends your status.

Common PNP mistakes to avoid

Applying based on an expired occupation list or an old invitation score.
Assuming every PNP stream requires—or does not require—a job offer.
Choosing a NOC from the job title without matching actual duties.
Confusing a notification of interest with a nomination.
Missing the 30-day Express Entry nomination response deadline.
Applying to a province with no credible intention to live there.
Ignoring employer, licensing, status or local work-location conditions.
Assuming provincial approval guarantees federal permanent residence.
Letting a nomination, work permit, language result or Express Entry profile expire.
Paying a recruiter for a “guaranteed” nomination or job offer.

Provincial Nominee Program questions

Can I apply to more than one province?

You can research and, where rules allow, enter more than one process. However, you can accept only one Express Entry nomination at a time, and each application must be consistent with a genuine intention to settle in that province or territory.

Do I need a high CRS score for a PNP?

It depends on the stream. Some Express Entry-aligned streams use CRS or their own scoring systems; others focus on occupation, job offer, work, study or local connections. An accepted Express Entry nomination adds 600 CRS points.

Can a province find my Express Entry profile?

Yes. Provinces and territories can search eligible profiles. A notification of interest asks you to review and potentially apply to a provincial stream; it is not an automatic nomination.

Can I work in Canada after being nominated?

Not automatically. A provincial nomination does not itself authorize work. You need a valid work permit or another authorization while permanent residence is being processed.

Is PNP available for Quebec or Nunavut?

No. Quebec operates separate economic immigration programs, and Nunavut does not operate a territorial nominee program.

Does BeforeImmigration submit PNP applications?

No. We provide general educational research guidance. Apply through the official province or territory and IRCC systems, or consult an authorized Canadian immigration professional.

Official sources

These Government of Canada pages were used to review this guide. Use them to reach the current federal and provincial instructions.

Immigrate as a provincial nominee ↗Current overview, participating jurisdictions and application routes
Express Entry PNP eligibility ↗Provincial and federal eligibility requirements
Get or confirm an Express Entry nomination ↗Notifications, acceptance and 600 additional CRS points
Express Entry PNP permanent residence process ↗Application steps after an invitation
Non-Express Entry PNP process ↗Nomination, documents and federal application
Current CRS criteria ↗Provincial nomination points in Express Entry
Current federal application fees ↗Verify fees before submission
IRCC processing-time tool ↗Check the current estimate for the correct PNP route

Compare PNP with other Canada pathways

Use the detailed pathway quiz to organize your profile and see whether provincial nomination and other Canadian routes may deserve closer research.

Take the Canada pathway quiz Explore all Canada pathways

Related Canada guides

Express Entry Canada Guide: Programs, CRS & Process
Compare provincial nomination with the federal Express Entry programs and CRS scoring.
Atlantic Immigration Program: 2026 Guide
See a regional alternative for Atlantic Canada with employer-driven nomination.
Canada Immigration Updates & Program Status
Check current program status and official IRCC notices before you apply.

Editorial notice: BeforeImmigration provides general educational information, not legal advice, representation or an eligibility decision. PNP streams, allocations and intake rules change. Verify requirements with the province or territory and IRCC, or consult an authorized Canadian immigration professional.