Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Eligibility and Application

Launched in 1998, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the primary means of immigrating to Canada as a skilled worker. Almost all provinces and territories operate the PNP to welcome skilled workers from around the world to help strengthen their economies. Scroll down to learn more about PNP.

Key Information

Minimum Requirements

This is the non-Express Entry application process for the Provincial Nominee Program.

You must apply in 2 stages:

First, you must decide where you want to live in Canada and apply to that province or territory for a nomination. They will review your application based on:
- their immigration needs and
- if you really plan to live there
After a province or territory nominates you, you must apply to us (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for permanent residence. We’ll assess your application based on Canadian immigration law.

These instructions are for stage 2 of the application process.

To apply as a provincial nominee, you must:

meet the minimum requirements of one of the province or territory’s non-Express Entry streams.
be nominated under that stream.

How To Apply

Once you’ve been nominated by a province or territory, you can apply for permanent residence.

You must fill out these digital forms online

You’ll fill out these digital forms online (for yourself, and any family members 18 or older)

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)

You must also fill out these PDF forms

you don’t need to sign them.
upload them to your online application.
as the principal applicant, you’ll electronically sign for the entire application, including those of your family members.

Costs & Fees

In most cases, your fees will include:

processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application
the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)
biometrics
third-party fees

You have to pay your fees using our online fee tool (opens in a new tab).

Biometrics fee

In most cases, you must pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.

After you pay the biometrics fee with a complete application, we’ll send you a letter confirming that you need to give your biometrics and where you can go. You must show this letter when you give your biometrics.

Next Steps

Before you submit your application, make sure you:

answer all questions
electronically sign your application (type your full name exactly as shown on your passport)
include your processing fee receipt
upload all the supporting documents (you must include a copy of the nomination certificate that the province or territory sent you)

If your application is incomplete, we’ll reject it. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.

Application Procedure

If IRCC approve your application, we’ll ask for your passport, or a photocopy of your passport. This depends on if you’re from a country where you need a visa to visit Canada.

You’ll need to pay your Right of Permanent Residence fee, if you haven’t already.

After you pay, we’ll issue you a:

confirmation of permanent residence (COPR)
permanent resident visa (if you are from a country where you need a visa)
letter with important information about your COPR and other requirements

Your COPR will have information about you as well as your photograph. Check to make sure the information on the COPR is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport.

If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact us by following the instructions we gave you.

You must have your COPR, and your visa (if you need one) with you when you arrive in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Step 2: Create Your Express Entry Profile
Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Step 5: Prepare Your Application
Step 6: Submit Your Complete Application within timeframe
Step 7: Respond to Additional Information Requests
Step 8: Receive Your Decision
Step 9: If Approved, Receive Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) Document

How does the PNP process work?

The process depends on which PNP stream you are applying to. PNP streams either have a paper-based process or an online process through Express Entry.

The biggest benefit of going through an Express Entry stream is you can have your permanent residence application processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada within 6 months, compared with longer processing times for paper-based applications.

When you reach the permanent residence application phase of the process, everyone needs to complete medical and police checks.

Paper-based process:

Step 1: Find out if you are eligible for the PNP.

Step 2: Apply to a given PNP stream.

Step 3: If you are nominated (approved) by the province or territory, submit a paper application for permanent residence to IRCC.

Step 4: Pass a medical exam and get a police check.

Step 5: Once you are approved by IRCC, you can complete your permanent residence landing in Canada.

Express Entry process:

Step 1: Find out if you are eligible for the PNP.

Step 2: Apply to a given PNP stream.

Step 3: If you receive a provincial nomination, create an Express Entry profile on IRCC's website and indicate you have been nominated.

Step 4: Once you receive an Express Entry invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC, submit your permanent residence application to IRCC.

Step 5: Pass a medical exam and get a police check.

Step 6: Once you are approved by IRCC, you can complete your permanent residence landing in Canada.

Why does Canada have the PNP?