What Is the PNP?
The PNP allows provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate individuals for permanent residence. Some PNP streams are aligned with the Express Entry system, offering faster processing, while others operate independently.
Nomination from a province typically adds 600 points to an Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly increasing the chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
1. Alberta – Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Streams: Alberta Express Entry Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, etc.
- Best For: Skilled workers with ties to Alberta (like job offers or family), recent graduates, and rural applicants.
- Unique Feature: Alberta may invite candidates with low CRS scores, especially if their occupations are in demand.
2. British Columbia – BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Streams: Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC, Entrepreneur Immigration.
- Best For: Tech workers, international graduates, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs.
- Unique Feature: Tech draws prioritize 35+ in-demand tech occupations with faster processing.
3. Manitoba – Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Streams: Skilled Workers in Manitoba, International Education Stream, Business Investor Stream.
- Best For: Skilled workers with Manitoba experience or family connections, and international students.
- Unique Feature: Points-based Expression of Interest (EOI) system that rewards community connections.
4. New Brunswick – NB Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Streams: Express Entry Stream, Skilled Workers, Business Immigration, Strategic Initiative for Francophones.
- Best For: Bilingual applicants, healthcare professionals, and those with job offers.
- Unique Feature: Francophone-focused stream for French-speaking candidates willing to settle in NB.
5. Newfoundland and Labrador – NL PNP
- Streams: Express Entry Skilled Worker, Priority Skills NL, International Graduate.
- Best For: Tech workers, healthcare professionals, and recent graduates from local institutions.
- Unique Feature: Priority Skills NL stream targets workers in high-demand tech and healthcare fields without a job offer.
6. Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Streams: Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities, Physician Stream, International Graduate Entrepreneur.
- Best For: Skilled workers, Express Entry candidates, physicians, and French speakers.
- Unique Feature: Targeted draws for specific NOCs (like nurses, early childhood educators).
7. Ontario – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Streams: Human Capital Priorities, Employer Job Offer, Masters/PhD Graduate, Entrepreneur.
- Best For: Skilled workers, international students, and those with job offers.
- Unique Feature: Tech-specific draws, and a stream for graduates of Ontario’s Master’s or PhD programs with no job offer needed.
8. Prince Edward Island – PEI PNP
- Streams: Express Entry, Labour Impact, Business Impact.
- Best For: Job seekers in agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare.
- Unique Feature: Regular draws that often prioritize PEI-based employers and international graduates.
9. Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Streams: International Skilled Worker (including Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry), Entrepreneur, Farm Owner/Operator.
- Best For: Skilled workers with experience in in-demand occupations.
- Unique Feature: Occupation In-Demand stream allows nomination without a job offer.
10. Northwest Territories – NT Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Streams: Employer-Driven Stream, Business Stream.
- Best For: Workers with job offers in the territory, or entrepreneurs.
- Unique Feature: Direct employer-driven applications, appealing for those already working in the North.
11. Yukon – Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
- Streams: Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker, Business Nominee.
- Best For: Job offers in tourism, retail, or trades; entrepreneurs.
- Unique Feature: Tailored to Yukon’s small labour market needs.
Express Entry-Aligned vs Base PNPs
- Express Entry-Aligned (“Enhanced”) PNPs: Faster processing, require you to be in the Express Entry pool.
- Base PNPs: Operate independently from Express Entry. Processing may be longer but allows candidates who don’t qualify for Express Entry.
