Canada is a large country that is quite diverse in population and landscape. Much like the landscape, the employment opportunities and economy in one province or territory can be vastly different from those in another province or territory. That also means that each province or territory has different employment needs, some of which are met through immigration.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada allows each province or territory to target immigrants with temporary visas who have specific education, work skills and/or experience that fit the province’s or territory’s employment needs. If an applicant meets a province’s needs, the province can then nominate that person to become a Permanent Resident of Canada.
While the PNP represents a wonderful opportunity, it can be complicated to understand because of the regional differences. Also, being accepted into a PNP is only part of the application. The individual must also meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements for Permanent Residency.
Where to Start for PNP Consideration?
The first place to start when considering living and working in Canada is to decide in which province or territory you would like to live. Because each province and territory has its own economy, not to mention the landscape and weather patterns, it’s important to research the place or places that might best suit you.
Perhaps living near a large body of water is essential so you might consider British Columbia, the Maritime Provinces, or even Ontario with its Great Lakes shorelines.
But maybe you don’t have a preference about the landscape so you don’t know where to start your search. And perhaps you have a specific set of skills and work experience. You might want to see which PNP stream is targeting your skill set. Here is a list of provinces and territories who have Provincial Nominee Programs:
- BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
Once you’ve discovered a PNP stream—or more than one—that you meet the criteria for, you can then research that province or territory. While it may not seem necessary to learn about the province or territory whose PNP you fit because you simply want to work in Canada, it is an important step.
Part of the application process involves declaring your intention to live and work in the province that nominates you. Discovering you don’t like the region’s climate or landscape after you’ve agreed to work there doesn’t set you up well for life in Canada.
As you investigate each province’s PNP, be sure to note the different costs and application criteria, since these vary.
