Are you interested in one of Canada’s many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)? If you’ve explored all your options and think this is the best way to immigrate to Canada, you will first need to determine your eligibility for PNP – the criteria of which varies depending on which province or territory you choose.
As an example, let’s take a look at what Manitoba is looking for from applicants to their Provincial Nominee Program: “The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) seeks skilled workers, business people and their families who have a demonstrated connection to the Canadian province of Manitoba and documented intention and ability to successfully settle and economically establish in our province as permanent residents.”
Does that sound appealing to you? Then let’s look at the next step.
Eligibility for PNP
It’s important to look carefully at the conditions of each Provincial Nominee Program to establish whether you are eligible before applying. Although eligibility criteria does vary depending on the province or territory you opt for, you may not be eligible if any of the following apply to you:
- You are a refugee claimant, or an individual in the process of either a federal appeal or removal.
- You are currently living in Canada as a live-in caregiver.
- You are a temporary foreign worker currently living and working in another province.
- You are a spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- You are an individual who has been refused for the same PNP within the last six months and have not addressed the reasons for refusal.
- You are an individual who has already applied for a different PNP within Canada (although some programs do allow for multiple applications).
Submit Your Application
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the next step is to submit your application:
“First, you must apply to the province or territory where you want to live. It will review your application based on two things:
- Its immigration needs and
- If you really plan to live there.”
Once you receive a provincial nomination from your chosen province or territory, you must then apply to CIC for Canadian permanent residence. Your application will then be assessed by a CIC officer who will base his decision on Canadian rules. You will also be required to pass a police check (you’ll be given a certificate) and medical exam.
Receive a Job Offer
Another way of receiving a provincial nomination is to first be offered a job by an eligible employer. One such program that allows for this is Opportunities Ontario:
“Once they are recruited by an employer, individuals who meet all of the Opportunities Ontario requirements may be nominated by the province for permanent residence as Provincial Nominees. Nominated individuals must then apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.”
Apply for Express Entry
A proportion of PNPs are closely associated with the federal Express Entry system, but you must be eligible for one of the following economic programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Are You Interested in the Provincial Nominee Program?
Are you interested in the Provincial Nominee Program? We can help you with your application, and we can also help you determine if you are eligible for a certain stream. Contact us today for a consultation!
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
