Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Canada Immigration Guide

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Sristy Sharma
Updated on Jun 07, 2022 04:23 PM IST

PNP Canada is one of the ways to get a Canada PR visa. Here is a guide that will help in understanding what is PNP Canada, how to apply for it, what are its eligibility criteria, and what are the benefits of applying to it.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Canada Immigration Guide

Canada Provincial Nominee Programs or PNP Canada is one of the easiest methods for international students and other skilled workers to migrate to Canada as permanent residents. Although these two programmes to get Canada PR might seem lengthy on paper, they are extremely hassle-free if applied with proper guidance.

Canada PNP is an easy method to gain a provincial or territorial nomination for Canada PR in front of the Federal immigration department. The backup and support of provincial or territorial government work in favour of the candidate for a faster process.

We have prepared this guide for those who wish to migrate to Canada through the PNP Canada route. Let us now dig a little deeper into what is PNP Canada, its benefits, the provinces offering PNP Canada, how to apply for PNP Canada, and possible revocation of nomination under PNP Canada.

What is PNP Canada?

As mentioned in the beginning, PNP full form Canada is Provincial Nominee Program. There are 10 provinces and three territories in Canada, all of which except Quebec (province) and Nunavut (territory) have their separate immigration programs. Under these programs, applicants can apply for a Canada PR visa at the federal or national level.

Under the Canada PNP program, each province has its own set of eligibility criteria which differs on the basis of the needs and requirements of each province. Applicants for each province need to satisfy these province-specific eligibility criteria to get a nod of acceptance from the provincial government. Once the provincial government is satisfied with the application, it shall nominate the visa applicant for Canada PR with the federal government of Canada's central immigration department.

Canadian central immigration department then reviews the application, the criteria based on which province has accepted the application, and only when satisfied with all the details and process, do they accept the nomination and issue a Canada PR in favour of the applicant. PNP Canada, like Express Entry Canada,is a way to get Canada PR visa.

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Benefits of PNP Canada

PNP Canada might seem like a lengthy process to get a Canada PR visa. However, the benefits of PNP Canada which have been observed over the years challenge the notion.

Here are the benefits of PNP Canada or why you should apply for PNP Canada:

  • A Canadian provincial nomination proves of great help in making it easier for applicants to get accepted for a Canada PR visa.

  • If the applicant applies for Canada PR on a national level, they will have to satisfy a large set of requirements. On the other hand, applying for PNP Canada not only cuts down the eligibility criteria but makes it more focused to satisfy.

  • The eligibility criteria of each province are tailored to the provincial requirements. Hence, in case the industry is more prominent in the applied province, the applicant does not have to worry about the different criteria or requirements of other provinces.

  • Under PNP Canada, the application is made to the provincial governments, whose nomination in itself is a great deal for the federal government. The Canada PR process becomes a lot speedier with the nomination.

  • There are no additional eligibility requirements placed upon the nominated Canada PR visa applicant.

PNP Canada Point Calculation

Under PNP Canada just like a normal PR visa, the PR points, CRS in case of Canada, are calculated for the applicant. However, the minimum points or how they are calculated are not specified on a federal level. In other words, minimum eligibility PR points are decided by each province separately. The nomination under PNP Canada adds about 400 - 500 additional points in CRS calculation.

In general, the following parameters are considered by provinces and territories to calculate PNP Canada PR points:

PNP Canada Streams

Each province has different types of PNP Canada streams available for the migration of foreign nationals including students. The streams refer to the basic eligibility criteria basis on which the PNP Canada applicant is applying for a Canada PR visa. These streams include migration as a skilled worker, business or innovation motive, special skills, a family member of an existing Canada PR visa holder, etc.

Language Proficiency

All provinces require PNP Canada applicants to submit proof of English proficiency. To live in any province of Canada, knowing the official language i.e. English, is important. All provinces of Canada, except Quebec and Nunavut, have English as their official language as well as the widely spoken language.

In Quebec and Nunavut, French is another language that is often spoken and used as a second language.

Age

Canadian provinces are well aware of the interdependent nature of age groups, their potential, and their contribution to the Canadian economy, nationwide as well as at the provincial level. Age is, therefore, considered a measure of deciding PR Points. Generally, the adult working-age groups are awarded the highest PR points, as they have greater work experience and potential.

Educational Background

The educational background of PNP Canada applicants shows the possible contribution they can make to the Canadian and provincial economy. Hence, the details of educational background are considered to decide the credible PR points of the applicant. The details considered include:

  • qualification level (Bachelors, Masters, PhD, etc.),

  • the country of education (international students who completed education in Canada are given preference),

  • the field of education,

  • the region of education (provincial students are given preference by respective provinces),

  • practical experience, etc.

Work Experience

PNP Canada considers work experience a contributing factor while evaluating an applicant. Hence, work experience is awarded more PR points on the basis of its relevance to the stream applied.

Simply put, in case the PNP Canada stream chosen is business and innovation, then the life of business in the home country, business net worth, turnover, etc. are considered. Similarly, relevant parameters are considered to calculate PR points for skilled migration, special migration, etc.

Miscellaneous PR Point Parameters

The PNP Canada eligibility criteria are decided as per the requirements and economic environment of each province. Since the environment and requirements of each province are bound to be different, the provinces are given full liberty by the Federal Immigration Authorities to decide their eligibility criteria for calculating the PNP Canada PR points.

The applicant has to carefully study each requirement of the province and accordingly apply for a Canada PR visa nomination.

Who Can Apply for Canada PNP?

PNP Canada streams, or the basic eligibility, under which an applicant can apply for the provincial nomination is again determined by the provincial immigration authorities. However, there is a purposeful direction given by Federal immigration authorities to PNP Canada by deciding that the following people are eligible to apply for the programs.

  • Students

  • Business People

  • Skilled Workers

  • Semi-skilled workers

In general, the applicants of PNP Canada can apply for a Canada PR visa if they wish to:

  • Use their skills, education, and/or work experience to contribute to the economy of a particular province or territory.

  • Live in a particular province or territory.

  • Apply for Canada PR and become a permanent resident of Canada.

Documents Required to Apply for PNP Canada

PNP Canada requires the applicants to submit certain documents as part of the application for nomination requests. These documents are common in all provinces.

The documents compulsorily required are:

  • Medical Certificate

  • Police Check Certification

Other documents which are commonly required by the various provinces and territories for PNP Canada are:

Express Entry and PNP Canada both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Consult the experts to learn which is a better option for you to apply for Canada PR!

Which is Better? Express Entry OR PNP Canada!

How to Apply for PNP Canada?

PNP Canada can be applied for in two ways, online application, and paper-based application.

Online Application for PNP

PNP Canada online application is referred to as the Express entry method of application. Applicants can choose among the two methods of online express entry to apply for PNP Canada.

Under both methods the applicants are required to:

  • Meet the eligibility criteria of the province or territory, and,

  • Submit an Express Entry profile and show that the minimum eligibility criteria of at least one of the immigration programs are satisfied.

Method 1

The applicants need to follow the below steps:

  • The province or territory to which the applicant wishes to apply must be contacted, and a nomination application must be submitted under the express stream.

  • On receiving a positive nod from the provincial authorities, the applicants can create, or update an Express Entry profile.

  • Show the nomination on the Express Entry profile.

Method 2

Alternatively, PNP Canada can be applied for through online express entry by taking the following steps:

  • Create an Express Entry profile.

  • Show the desired provinces and territories on the profile.

  • Await the Notification of Interest from one of the provinces and territories. On receiving one, contact the sender province or territory.

  • Apply to the provinces, or territorys, Express entry stream.

  • The nomination shall be conveyed through a virtual profile or account, which has to be accepted electronically.

Paper-based Application for PNP

PNP Canada can be applied for through a paper-based process/offline mode as well However, in this process, the applicant cannot apply for an Express Entry stream.

The steps to apply for PNP Canada through the paper based application are:

  • Apply to the province or territory for nomination under the non-Express Entry stream.

  • Meet the eligibility criteria of the province applied for nomination.

  • On being nominated, submit a paper application for Canada PR to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

  • Pass the medical exam and get a police certificate.

  • Await the final result.

Canadian Provinces Offering PNP

Canadian provinces which can be applied for PNP Canada include:

  • Alberta

  • British Columbia

  • Manitoba

  • New Brunswick

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Northwest Territories

  • Nova Scotia

  • Ontario

  • Prince Edward Island

  • Saskatchewan

  • Yukon

As it is clear and has been stated before, the province of Quebec and the territory of Nunavut do not have PNP Canada.

Easiest Provinces for PNP Canada

As has been mentioned, all the provinces and territories of Canada except Quebec and Nunavut can be approached for PNP Canada to get a Canada PR. However, it is also a fact that the streams and conditions of all the provinces and territories are different. In this case, certain provinces are comparatively easier and better to approach for PNP Canada.

Alberta and Prince Edward Island

Alberta and Prince Edward Island are those Canada provinces that allow applicants of PNP Canada a nomination for Canada PR without a job offer. In other words, the two provinces have streams that accept the skilled labour migration request without the existence of a job offer.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan offers PNP applicants a range of Express Entry streams to apply for Canada PR. The province is also famed for various annual Canada PNP programs explicitly designed to target the trend and needs of the upcoming year.

British Columbia

British Columbia is known for its high-speed processing and therefore, a faster Canada PR process for the applicants. The minimum eligibility criteria for work experience for PNP Canada in British Columbia is of two years.

Revocation of Nomination Under PNP Canada

As the provinces and territories enjoy the right to nominate people for Canada PR, they also enjoy the collateral right to revoke the nomination as well. However, these revocations cannot be baseless, just like the nominations.

Before Gaining Canada PR

Any province or territory is allowed to revoke the nomination under PNP Canada to any candidate, provided:

  • The candidate fails to meet the eligibility criteria for the nomination.

  • The candidate desires to move to another province after gaining PR, and so the basic purpose of nomination under PNP Canada is defeated.

  • Involvement of candidate in illegal or invalid activities.

  • Irremovable disabilities.

After Gaining Canada PR

Once the nomination of a candidate under PNP Canada has resulted in the issuance of a valid Canada PR visa to the candidate, the purpose of the nomination is complete. Afterwards, no circumstance is valid enough to result in revocation of nomination. The reason is that the nomination intent and purpose have already been realised, and its powers and rights are no more applicable or active. Dormant nominations are as good as no nomination, and so cannot be revoked.

Canada PR visa is one of the most desired immigration visas around the world due to the welcoming environment of the country. Indian students who wish to apply for Canada PR through PNP Canada can easily do so. The only requirement is that they find the ideal province and fulfil its eligibility requirements for nomination.

It is advised to all the candidates wishing to apply for PNP Canada to be thorough with their research and only then apply for PNP Canada. The process may be shorter in the case of certain provinces, like British Columbia, but it is still a lengthy process. Hence, proper caution and preparation shall always prove beneficial.

Even if you have no idea about what Canada PR is at all, we can help you! We offer consultation of our study abroad experts, who have helped hundreds of students in gaining a successful PR visa. Writeto them at abroad@collegedekho.com.

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