How to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program in Canada

All final immigration decisions in Canada are made by the federal government, not the provincial governments. As a result, PNPs require two steps. First, you must apply to the government for a provincial nomination. If the province approves your application, you must apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status.

To apply for your chosen PNP, follow these simple steps:

1. Check whether you’re eligible: Use the PNP Live Tracker to keep track of available PNPs and determine whether you are eligible for any of the several alternatives.
2. Fill out the form to apply for the PNP: Fill out an application and mail it to the appropriate province or territory.
3. Receive your Provincial Nomination Certificate: If your application is complete and you are eligible, you will receive an official Provincial Nomination certificate, allowing you to move to the next round.
4. Submit your application for permanent residence: To become a permanent resident of Canada, you must apply to the federal government. You could apply using Express Entry if you were nominated through an Express Entry-aligned PNP. Otherwise, you’ll have to fill out a paper application.

Some PNP streams are first-come, first-served, while others require potential applicants to fill out an Expression of Interest form first. Furthermore, while specific PNP streams function independently of the federal Express Entry immigration system (called “base” streams), others are coordinated with Express Entry.