Provincial Nominee Program
Listed with IRCC’s active programs (not on its paused or closed list). Each province runs its own streams and intakes. Read on IRCC’s page on November 9, 2026.
The Provincial Nominee Program lets a province or territory nominate people for permanent residence based on its own economic needs. It is for workers, graduates and business people who want to settle in a particular province. Each province runs its own streams; IRCC then makes the final permanent-residence decision.
Each province sets and changes its own streams and intakes. We don’t summarize per-province criteria here because they change faster than this page can be checked — use the province’s official site.
Who is eligible
- You must be named in a nomination certificate issued by a province under its agreement with the federal government (IRPR s 87(2)).
- The nomination is based on your ability to become economically established and your intention to live in that province.
- You must also be admissible to Canada (medical, criminal, security).
Steps
- Choose the province and stream that fits you on the province’s own website, and apply there.
- Enhanced route (through Express Entry): if you also qualify for an Express Entry program, the nomination is linked to your profile. IRCC says it adds 600 points.
- Base route (outside Express Entry): if you don’t qualify for an Express Entry program, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence directly after nomination.
- IRCC assesses admissibility and decides the permanent-residence application.
Documents you’ll usually need
- The provincial nomination certificate.
- Documents the province asks for (job offer, experience, language, funds).
- Police certificates and medical exam for the IRCC stage.
What the law says
“they are named in a nomination certificate that is (a) issued by the government of a province under a provincial nomination agreement”
Who is a provincial nominee: named in a certificate issued under a provincial nomination agreement.
“has the sole responsibility to evaluate”
The province alone evaluates your economic establishment and intention to reside, under criteria the Minister approved.
Official IRCC pages
Program rules not written in the statute, plus current fees and processing times, are on IRCC’s own pages:
- IRCC: Provincial Nominee Program
- IRCC: Express Entry
- IRCC fee list (current fees)
- IRCC processing times (live)
Common mistakes
- Moving to a different province soon after landing without a genuine intention to live in the nominating one — intention to reside is part of the nomination.
- Assuming a nomination guarantees permanent residence. IRCC still decides admissibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between base and enhanced PNP?
IRCC describes two routes: through Express Entry (if you also qualify for an Express Entry program, the nomination adds points to your profile) and outside Express Entry (you apply to IRCC directly after nomination).
Does the province make the final decision?
The province decides the nomination; IRCC decides permanent residence, including admissibility.
Policy analysis
- Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan: what changed, and what it means if you’re already here
The 2027–2029 plan holds permanent admissions at 380,000 a year and new temporary arrivals at 370,000, and adds a one-time 2027 measure for up to 200,000 people already in Canada.
Related streams
- Express Entry Invitation-only
The online system IRCC uses to invite skilled workers to apply for permanent residence.
- Atlantic Immigration Program Open
Permanent residence for workers and recent graduates with a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
- Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots Pilot
Pilots that offer permanent residence to skilled workers with a job offer in a participating community.