The Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs offer a valuable pathway to a Canadian PR Visa. The PNP permits territories and provinces in Canada to nominate persons. These must be inclined to migrate to Canada and settle in a specific province.
Each territory and Province in Canada has its own exclusive PNP. The exception is Quebec and Nunavut. Each PNP has at least one immigration stream linked to the federal Express Entry immigration selection system.
Nominations from provinces offered under these streams, linked with Express Entry, are also known as enhanced nominations. These incur an additional 600 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points in Express Entry. It effectively ensures an ITA for the Canada PR Visa in the subsequent Express Entry draws.
CANADA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (PNP) DETAILS
The Canada Provincial Nominee Program was created to attract skilled international talent to Canada provinces facing a talent shortage. Thousands of successful applicants have relocated and permanently settled in Canada through the PNP program. Some of the best Canadian provinces to apply to under this program are:
- Prince Edward Island
- Ontario
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Nova Scotia
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Quebec
If you are a skilled professional with experience in technology, finance, education, marketing or healthcare, now is the perfect time to explore your options through the PNP program.
You can apply under the PNP option to migrate to Canada if you want to live in a province, contribute to its economy and wish to become a permanent resident of Canada.
Options in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
There are two options when filling out an application through the PNP program:
- Paper-based process
- Through Express Entry
Paper-based process:
The first step is to apply to the province or territory for nomination under the non-Express Entry stream. If you meet the eligibility requirements and qualify through the individual in-demand Occupation Lists of some provinces, you will get a nomination from the province if your occupation is on the list. You can then apply for a Canada PR Visa.
You will now have to submit a paper application for your PR visa. The processing time is usually longer than through the Express Entry system.
Express Entry System:
There are 2 ways to apply:
You can apply for a nomination by contacting the province or territory and using the Express Entry stream. If you get a positive response from the province or territory to nominate you, you can create an Express Entry profile or update your profile if it already exists.
The other option is to create an Express Entry profile and indicate the provinces or territories you are interested in. If the province sends a ‘notification of interest’, you can then contact them and then apply through the Express Entry system.
You must meet the eligibility requirements for your application to be successful.
Steps in the PNP application for a PR visa
- Apply in the province or region where you desire to settle.
- If your profile meets the eligibility criteria, you could be nominated by the province to apply for a PR visa.
- Apply for your PR visa after a province nominates you. The criteria for evaluating the PR application vary from province to province.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
To apply for the Canadian PNP program, applicants need to present their:
- Current passport and travel history
- Educational credentials
- Professional credentials
- Recent medical report
- Police clearance certificate
- Other supporting documents
Features of the Provincial Nominee Program
Canada offers nearly 80 different PNPs, each with its own eligibility requirements. The PNP program allows provinces to meet their individual immigration needs by helping them fill in-demand jobs and address labour shortages.
Most PNPs require applicants to have some connection to the province. They should have either worked earlier in that province or studied there. Or they should have a job offer from an employer in the province for a job visa.
A provincial nomination can help you in two ways to get your PR visa. It can add 600 CRS points to your Express Entry application and make you eligible to apply for your PR visa directly to IRCC.
Provincial Nominee Program – All PNP Invitations in 2025
Express Entry PNP (Multiple Provinces)
[as on December 31, 2025]
| Date of Draw | Invitations Issued | CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2025 | 399 | 731 |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 1,123 | 729 |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 777 | 699 |
| Nov 10, 2025 | 714 | 738 |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 302 | 761 |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 345 | 778 |
| Sep 29, 2025 | 291 | 855 |
| Sep 15, 2025 | 228 | 746 |
| Sep 2, 2025 | 249 | 772 |
| Aug 18, 2025 | 192 | 800 |
| Aug 6, 2025 | 225 | 739 |
| Jul 21, 2025 | 202 | 788 |
| Jul 7, 2025 | 356 | 750 |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 503 | 742 |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 125 | 784 |
| Jun 2, 2025 | 277 | 726 |
| May 12, 2025 | 511 | 706 |
| Apr 28, 2025 | 421 | 727 |
| Apr 14, 2025 | 825 | 764 |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 536 | 736 |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 725 | 667 |
| Feb 17, 2025 | 646 | 750 |
| Feb 4, 2025 | 455 | 802 |
| Jan 7, 2025 | 471 | 793 |
