Your pathway to Canadian PR through provincial nomination - adds 600 CRS points!
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to immigrate to Canada and are interested in settling in a particular province.
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Express Entry CRS score, virtually guaranteeing you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next draw.
Even if your current CRS is 350, a nomination brings you to 950 — well above typical cutoffs!
For candidates already in the Express Entry pool. Provinces can search the pool and invite candidates who meet their criteria.
Processing Time:
6-12 months total (including federal processing)
Faster overall processing
+600 CRS points immediately
Apply from anywhere
Apply directly to a provincial program. If nominated, you'll apply for PR separately through IRCC.
Processing Time:
15-24 months total (provincial + federal)
May not need Express Entry profile
Different eligibility criteria
Option for lower-skilled workers
Largest economy, Toronto/Ottawa tech hubs, frequent draws
Popular Streams:
Tech sector, Vancouver lifestyle, regular weekly draws
Popular Streams:
No provincial tax, oil & gas, Calgary tech scene
Popular Streams:
In-demand occupation list, no job offer needed for some streams
Popular Streams:
Winnipeg opportunities, connection to province helps
Popular Streams:
Lower CRS requirements, job offer required, faster processing
Popular Streams:
While each province has unique criteria, most PNP streams require:
Work Experience: 1-2 years in relevant occupation
Education: Post-secondary credential (usually)
Language: CLB 5-7 depending on NOC level
Job Offer: Required for some streams (LMIA or LMIA-exempt)
Settlement Funds: Proof of financial ability
Intent to Reside: Genuine intention to live in the province
Each province publishes a list of in-demand occupations. If your NOC is on the list, you have a strong chance.
Research employment opportunities in your field. Tech workers may prefer BC/Ontario, while trades might find more opportunities in Alberta/Saskatchewan.
Vancouver and Toronto are expensive. Smaller cities and prairie provinces offer lower cost of living.
BC and Ontario conduct frequent draws. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have less predictable schedules.
Check recent draw results to see if your profile is competitive. Atlantic provinces generally have lower requirements.
Submit your profile to the federal Express Entry pool first.
Or wait for a Notification of Interest (NOI) if the province contacts you directly.
If selected from the pool, you'll receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
Typically 30-90 days to submit all supporting documents and fees.
Processing time: 2-6 months depending on province and stream.
Your CRS score increases by 600 points automatically.
Usually within 2 weeks of accepting nomination. Submit full federal application within 60 days.
✓ Apply to Multiple Provinces
You can have active applications in multiple provinces simultaneously to maximize chances.
✓ Keep Express Entry Profile Active
Even if applying to non-EE PNP, having an EE profile opens more doors.
✓ Research Job Market First
Some provinces require job offer. Start networking and applying before submitting EOI.
✓ Be Ready to Act Fast
When you receive NOI or invitation, deadlines are tight (often 30-60 days).
Our AI can analyze your profile and recommend the best provincial programs for your situation.
Generated and reviewed by PRCan AI
An automated immigration analysis system trained on IRCC regulations, program guides, and official government documentation. Learn more about PRCan AI →