The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets 11 provinces and territories nominate people who meet local economic needs. For someone already working in a province, it is often the most direct route.
How PNPs work
- Each province has its own streams: for workers with job offers, graduates, Express Entry candidates, entrepreneurs...
- Provinces set their own requirements and annual numbers.
- The province nominates; IRCC decides on permanent residence.
- Quebec and Nunavut have no PNP.
Two ways to apply for PR
| Through Express Entry | Outside Express Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Applies when | You qualify for both the provincial stream and a federal program | You qualify for the provincial stream but not a federal program |
| After nomination | 600 extra CRS points | Apply for PR through the PR Portal |
According to IRCC, nominees completing an Express Entry profile use NOC code 93888 in the occupation fields as instructed.
Why PNPs matter for work permit holders
- Many streams favour people already working in the province for a local employer.
- Some streams accept TEER 4 and 5 jobs that the CEC doesn't count.
- Nominees must settle in the nominating province.
Programs change constantly
- Streams can open, close or change at any time. For example, Ontario announced it launched the Ontario Workforce Priority stream and closed all other streams (checked 19/10/2026).
- According to IRCC, from 2026 the government reserves an extra 5,000 spaces for provinces to designate French-speaking immigrants, on top of annual PNP allocations.
Note Always read the requirements on the province's official site. Online information, including this article, may be outdated compared with the latest changes.
How Canadian work experience is counted
Express Entry: the Canadian Experience Class
Regional programs (AIP, RCIP)