Eligibility Quiz
Do you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in a specific province, or high-demand work experience in that province?
Application Process
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a two-stage immigration process. First, a Canadian province or territory must nominate you based on their local economic needs. Second, you must apply to the federal government, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), for permanent residency.
Stage 1: The Provincial Nomination
You must first choose a province or territory and apply to one of their specific "streams" (categories for skilled workers, graduates, or entrepreneurs).
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the specific criteria for your chosen province. This usually includes a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 to 7, a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and often a full-time, permanent job offer.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Most provinces require you to create a profile in their online portal. This is not an application, but a way to signal your interest. You will be ranked on a points system based on age, education, and work experience.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you meet the points cutoff, the province will issue an Invitation to Apply or a Notification of Interest (NOI).
- Submit the Provincial Application: You typically have 30 to 60 days to submit a complete application and pay the provincial processing fee through the province's specific portal (e.g., the OINP Portal for Ontario or BCPNP Online for British Columbia).
- Receive a Nomination Certificate: If approved, the province will issue a Provincial Nomination Certificate. This is the "golden ticket" required for the federal stage.
Stage 2: The Federal Application (Permanent Residence)
Once you have your nomination, you must apply to the federal government. The method depends on whether your provincial stream is "Enhanced" or "Base."
Route A: Express Entry (Enhanced Streams)
This is the fastest route. It requires you to have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system.
- Accept the Nomination: When the province nominates you, a notification will appear in your Express Entry profile. You must accept it within 30 days.
- Claim 600 Points: Accepting the nomination automatically adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, guaranteeing you an invitation to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in the next federal draw.
- Submit PR Application: Once you receive the federal ITA, you have 60 days to submit your full PR application, including police certificates and medical exam results, via the IRCC online portal.
Route B: Non-Express Entry (Base Streams)
If your stream is not linked to Express Entry, you must apply directly to IRCC.
- Submit via PR Portal: Create an account on the Permanent Residence Online Application Portal.
- Upload Documents: Upload your nomination certificate, civil documents, and proof of work experience.
- Pay and Submit: Pay the federal fees and submit. This route involves longer wait times and more manual document verification.
Fees
Fees are paid in two phases: first to the province, then to the federal government.
| Item | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Provincial Application Fee | $0 – $1,500 (varies by province) |
| Federal PR Processing Fee | $950 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 |
| Language Testing (IELTS/CELPIP) | ~$300 |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | ~$250 |
Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $2,300 – $3,800 per adult applicant. Note: This does not include costs for medical exams (approx. $250+), police certificates, certified translations for non-English/French documents, or dependent family member fees.
Processing Time
Processing times vary significantly based on the province and whether you use the Express Entry system.
- Provincial Nomination Stage: 2 to 6 months (depending on the province's current backlog and quota).
- Federal Stage (Express Entry): 6 to 8 months.
- Federal Stage (Non-Express Entry): 12 to 18 months.
- Total Timeline: Expect 8 to 12 months for Express Entry-aligned pathways and 18 to 24 months for base pathways.
Document Validity:
- Language Tests: Must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.
- Nomination Certificates: Usually valid for 6 months; you must apply to the federal government before it expires.
- Medical Exams: Valid for 12 months.