Provincial and federal decisions
A provincial nomination and permanent-residence approval are not the same decision. The province or territory decides whether to nominate; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the final decision on permanent residence and admissibility.
PNPs operate in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon. Québec operates its own programs, and Nunavut has no PNP.
Express Entry-aligned pathways
The candidate must meet the provincial pathway and an eligible federal Express Entry program. An accepted nomination adds Comprehensive Ranking System points, but the candidate must still receive an invitation and complete the federal application.
Non-Express Entry pathways
The applicant first applies for nomination, then submits a separate permanent-residence application to IRCC. A person does not necessarily need Express Entry eligibility to have a provincial pathway worth assessing.
Job offers and employer-supported pathways
Some pathways require a qualifying job offer or provincial employment, while others do not. Employers may have separate eligibility, document, portal or position-approval responsibilities. Employer willingness alone does not establish eligibility.
Skilled workers, graduates and entrepreneurs
Categories vary across Canada and may target skilled workers, provincial workers, graduates, candidates with local connections, entrepreneurs or other priorities. Some use expressions of interest and invitations; others accept applications differently.
Program availability can change
Streams may be redesigned, limited, invitation-based, paused or closed. Availability should be confirmed when the individual situation is assessed rather than relying on an older list or invitation pattern.
What may need to be reviewed
- Intended province or territory
- Status and immigration history
- Work experience and NOC
- Language results
- Education and credential assessments
- Provincial connections
- Canadian work or study
- Job offer and employer eligibility
- Express Entry profile where relevant
- Family, previous applications and admissibility
How Trogon may help
- Consultation and eligibility assessment
- Identifying pathways worth assessing
- Express Entry-linked nomination assessment
- Employer-supported assessment where offered
- Candidate and employer document review
- Application preparation or review
- Limited-scope assistance
- Representation where accepted
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer for a PNP?
Not always. Requirements depend on the pathway and may instead focus on occupation, experience, Express Entry eligibility, provincial connections or other criteria.
Is PNP the same as Express Entry?
No. Express Entry is federal. Some nominations connect to it, while others use the non-Express Entry process.
Does a nomination guarantee permanent residence?
No. IRCC still assesses the federal permanent-residence application, including admissibility.
Can I consider more than one province?
Options can be compared. Whether multiple applications or expressions of interest can be maintained depends on program rules, and the intention to settle in the nominating jurisdiction must be genuine.
Do I have to live in the province that nominates me?
The nomination is based on a genuine intention to live and become economically established in that province or territory.
Why do provincial programs change or pause?
Nomination spaces, volumes, labour shortages, integrity concerns and changing economic priorities can affect selection and availability.
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Information on this website is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice for a specific situation. Submitting a request does not create a consultant-client relationship.