Provincial Nominee (PNPs) & Federal Skilled Worker Applications

People who want to immigrate to Canada as provincial nominee must apply to the province where they want to settle and complete their provincial nomination process. The province then considers the foreign national application depending upon the immigration needs and foreign national genuine intention to immigrate to the province.

Once an individual’s Canada visa application has been nominated by a province or territory. That individual must make a separate application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) formally Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. Note that a Provincial Nominee application is not based on the six (6) selection factors of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

The provinces and territories below currently participate in the Provincial Nominee Program.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) offers three streams for individuals looking to immigrate:

• For Workers

  • Alberta Opportunity Stream: Qualified candidates residing and working in Alberta with a job offer from an Alberta employer can apply for AINP nomination.
  • Alberta Express Entry Stream: Candidates with an Express Entry profile may be invited by AINP to apply for permanent residency nomination.

• For Entrepreneurs

  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream: International graduates from approved Alberta post-secondary institutions wishing to start or buy a business can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
  • Self-Employed Farmer Stream: Experienced farmers intending to purchase or start a farm in Alberta can apply for permanent residency.
  • Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream: Foreign graduates from outside Canada can apply for permanent residency.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

British Columbia offers three pathways to permanent residency:

• Skills Immigration: This stream is for skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in B.C., utilizing a points-based invitation system. Applicants must register online for the BC PNP, and a job offer is required, except for the International Post-Graduate category.

• Express Entry: Eligible skilled workers can immigrate to B.C. by qualifying for a federal economic immigration program. This stream also follows a points-based invitation system, with online registration for both the BC PNP and the permanent residency application.

• Entrepreneur Immigration: Aimed at experienced entrepreneurs wishing to manage a business in B.C., this stream also operates on a points-based invitation system, requiring sufficient personal and investment funds.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

Manitoba provides three streams for immigration without needing a job offer:

• Skilled Workers Stream:

  • Skilled Workers in Manitoba: For those currently residing in Manitoba.
  • International Education Stream: Includes pathways for international students who graduated from Canadian institutions.
  • Skilled Workers Overseas: For skilled workers from outside Canada.

• Business Investor Stream:

  • Entrepreneur Pathway: For those looking to establish a business in Manitoba.
  • Farm Investor Pathway: For those intending to start and operate a farm in rural Manitoba.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program

New Brunswick offers four pathways to permanent residency:

• Express Entry: Targeted at foreign nationals with the skills and experience to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy who are prepared to live and work in the province.

• Skilled Worker Stream: Candidates must have a genuine job offer from a New Brunswick employer and intent to live and work in the province permanently.

• Business Immigration Stream: This pathway is for experienced entrepreneurs ready to establish and manage a business in New Brunswick.

• Strategic Initiative Stream: Eligibility is limited to French-speaking candidates.

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program

There are three streams available for permanent residency:

• Skilled Worker: For individuals with a guaranteed job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador or those already working there on a valid work permit.

• Express Entry Skilled Worker: For skilled individuals accepted into the federal Express Entry pool with a job offer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• International Graduate: For recent graduates with a Post-Graduate Work Permit and a job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program

Two options exist for immigration through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program:

• Business Stream: Applicants must be prepared to open, purchase, or invest in a business in the NWT.
• Employer-Driven Stream: Requires a job offer from an employer in the NWT, including for skilled workers and entry-level/semi-skilled occupations.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program

Nova Scotia offers various streams for immigration:

• Physician: For general practitioners, family physicians, and specialists.
• Entrepreneur: Applicants must have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD and invest a minimum of $150,000 CAD in a business.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur: Recent graduates must have started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least a year.
• International Graduates in Demand: For recent graduates with skills matching specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) job categories.
• Skilled Worker: Requires at least one year of related work experience.
• Occupations in Demand: Includes specific NOC categories.
• Express Entry: Applicants must have at least one year of experience in a high-skilled occupation in Nova Scotia.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The OINP allows foreign workers, international students, and others with relevant skills to apply through three main categories:

1. Employer Job Offer Category:

   • Foreign Worker Stream: For skilled workers with a permanent job offer.
   • International Student Stream: For recent Ontario graduates.
   • In-Demand Skills Stream: For intermediate skilled workers in specific sectors.

2. Human Capital Category:

   • For individuals with valuable work experience, education, and language skills, including:
   • International Graduates: Masters and PhD holders.
   • Express Entry: Requires a notification of interest from Ontario.
   • French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: For skilled workers fluent in both French and English.
   • Human Capital Priorities Stream: For skilled workers with the required qualifications.
   • Skilled Trades Stream: For those with experience in eligible trades.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) Provincial Nominee Program

PEI prioritizes entrepreneurs and individuals with skills in demand:

• To be eligible for nomination through PEI Express Entry, candidates must meet federal immigration program requirements and create a Federal Express Entry Profile.

• PGWP holders must have a minimum of nine months of work experience with a PEI employer before being considered for immigration pathways.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Four SINP programs do not require a job offer:

1. International Skilled Worker:

   • Employment Offer
   • Occupation In-Demand
   • Saskatchewan Express Entry

2. Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience:

   • Includes skilled workers, semi-skilled agriculture workers, health professionals, students, and specific sector projects.

3. Entrepreneur: Includes the Entrepreneur and Farm categories.

4. Farm Owner and Operator: Requires three years of farming experience, investment capabilities, and a minimum net worth of $500,000.

Yukon Nominee Program

Available streams for immigration to Yukon include:

• Express Entry
• Skilled Worker Program
• Critical Impact Worker Program
• Business Nominee Program

The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) allows eligible candidates with valid nominations for permanent residence to apply for a location-restricted open work permit. Candidates must have multiple job offers, a letter of support from the Government of Yukon, and meet general work permit requirements.

Atlantic Canada Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic provinces participate in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, which includes:

1. Atlantic International Graduate Program: For graduates from publicly funded institutions in Atlantic provinces.
2. Atlantic High-Skilled Program: For those with at least one year of work in a management or skilled job.
3. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program: For individuals with at least one year of work in jobs requiring a high school education and/or job-specific training.

Candidates must secure a job offer from a designated employer before applying.

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Applications

For those who have a high level of education and significant work experience, and want to become Permanent Resident of Canada, they can apply under the Federal Skilled Worker category. The criterion for immigration is based upon a point system & a current pass mark of 67 points. Should an Applicant obtain a score that is less than the pass mark, an immigration officer may award discretionary points provided that the Applicant can show their ability to successfully establish themselves in Canada.

The Point System

A point system is utilized for accessing the applicant’s qualification. This system is made up of six factors which are:

Education (maximum 25 points)

The highest level of education attained and the total number of years of education by the Applicant

Language Ability (maximum 28 points)

The Applicant’s ability to speak, listen, write, and read in either one or both of Canada’s official languages English or French.

Work Experience (maximum 15 points)

The number of years the Applicant has worked in his/her profession.

Age (maximum 12 points)

Current age of the Applicant is considered and younger immigrants immigrate more rapidly. The revised selection awards a maximum of 12 points up to age of 35, with diminishing awarded from 35 to 46.

Arranged Employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)

A permanent job offer in Canada for which the Applicant is qualified, or the Applicant is currently employed in Canada and holds a work permit which is valid for twelve (12) months, and was confirmed by ESDC.

Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

The Applicant may be awarded points under this factor if they can show that they or their dependents will adapt easily to living in Canada.

Other Requirement Factors:

In addition to meeting the pass of 67 points, in order to qualify as a Skilled Worker an Applicant must also meet one of the three following categories listed below:

•  Have an Arranged Employment Job Offer in Canada that is Approved with an LMIA

When an Applicant is currently working in Canada OR has obtained an approved job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3), the Applicant is eligible to apply as a Skilled Worker.

• Have obtained work experience for at least one year within the last ten years before applying

An Applicant who has at least one year of full time work experience within the last 10 years may qualify under the Skilled Worker category assuming they also obtain 67 points and meet the other requirements of the category.

In addition, to qualifying to apply under the Skilled Worker Program, applicants must show that they have enough money to support themself and their family members after they arrive in Canada, unless the individual:

• Is currently able to work legally in Canada, and
• Have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

Skilled Immigrants seeking to apply to become Permanent Residents of Canada will have to apply under the Express Entry. Under the Express Entry, candidates will first complete an online profile and based on their profile candidates will be ranked against others in a pool. On a normal basis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) formally Citizenship and Immigration Canada will draw top candidates from the pool and send them an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Candidates with invitations are the only ones who are able to apply. To learn how the Express Entry works visit this page.

For further information please contact us at [email protected].

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