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What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) encourages Workers with specialized skills, experience, and education to apply for Permanent Residency in Canada. Provincial Nominee programs were set up to accelerate the processing of applications for people who would be ideally suited to work in a specific province.
Being nominated by a province will allow you, your spouse and dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada. Our certified immigration consultants will work with you to ensure your application has the best opportunity to be successful. We can do this with sound provincial economic reasoning and evidence that will support your ability to become economically and socially established within a community.
Complete a free assessment for more information on Provincial Nominee programs and our professional services.
Who can qualify for a Provincial Nominee Program?
There are a number of categories, known as ‘streams' within each Provincial Nominee class and the criteria varies across the provinces. A few examples of these streams are the Skilled Worker, Entry Level Semi-Skilled Worker, Family Business Worker, International Student, or Strategic Operations and Business. If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or you have an approved business plan that can contribute to the economic health of the province, then you may qualify.
The advantage of being nominated by a province is that it allows you to qualify for permanent residence under a variety of different criteria, and you can receive a new work permit or a work permit extension after nomination by the province. You can qualify for permanent immigration to Canada without the 67 points that is required for the Federal Skilled Worker program, and you can begin working for an employer before you receive your final permanent resident status. Provincial programs focus more on your ability to effectively work in a specific occupation.
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) each have unique and effective permanent resident immigration streams. The categories and qualifying criteria are subject to change at any time based on a province's needs.
What is the Immigration Process for a Provincial Nominee?
Applying for nomination with a province to become a Permanent Resident in Canada is a two step process. First, you apply to the province for nomination, then, after being nominated, you apply for permanent residency through the federal application system.
Processing times vary greatly among provinces. For example, an application submitted to the BC PNP in Vancouver can be processed as little as 3 months, while and application in Alberta through the AINP program can take 11 months. Processing times change regularly and a nomination by the province does not guarantee that you will be granted permanent residency.
If you are nominated by the province, you must then submit your Permanent Resident application package directly to the appropriate CIC visa office within a set amount of time after your certificate of nomination is issued.
CIC will conduct criminal, security and health checks on you and your family members. They may also request an interview or additional information. CIC will make the final selection decision on whether you will be issued a permanent resident visa. The processing times for these applications take 7 -11 months depending on where application is submitted.
We can help!
If you are interested in exploring your options as a provincial nominee, our office can help you! We have been helping employers, clients and their families from all around the world relocate and settle in Canada under the provincial nominee categories.
Visit our Free Assessment Page for Provincial Nominees to submit a request for more information about our professional services.
For information on hourly services for an application review or consultation, please contact us by phone or email to arrange an appointment.
