PNP · Canada PR
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Provincial Nominee Programs allow provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet their local labour-market needs. An enhanced nomination linked to Express Entry adds 600 points to a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System score, which in practice places that profile at the top of the pool.
Nomination value
+600 CRS points
Jurisdictions
10+ provinces and territories
Stream types
Enhanced and base
Commitment
Settle in the nominating province
Who this pathway suits
A realistic fit matters more than enthusiasm.
Candidates whose CRS score is below recent general draw cut-offs
Applicants whose occupation is in demand in a specific province
People with a genuine connection to a province — study, work, family or a job offer
Skilled workers willing to commit to settling in the nominating province
Enhanced versus base streams
Enhanced streams are aligned with Express Entry and deliver the 600-point award. Base streams sit outside Express Entry and are processed as separate paper-based permanent residence applications, typically with longer processing.
| Stream type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Enhanced | Requires an Express Entry profile; nomination adds 600 CRS points and leads to an ITA |
| Base | Applied for directly with the province; PR application filed with IRCC outside Express Entry |
How provinces select candidates
- Occupation-targeted draws from the province's own pool of expressions of interest
- Direct notifications of interest issued to Express Entry candidates who match a priority occupation
- Employer-driven streams requiring a job offer from a provincial employer
- Streams for graduates of provincial institutions or for candidates already working in the province
- Streams recognising family connections or previous study in the province
Province-by-province focus areas
Every province publishes its own criteria and priority occupations, and these change during the program year. The summary below reflects the general focus of each program rather than current open streams — always confirm with the province before applying.
The process
Five stages, each one decision-ready.
Province matching
Compare your occupation, experience and language results against the published criteria of each province rather than applying everywhere.
Express Entry profile alignment
For enhanced streams, ensure your federal profile is accurate and indicates interest in the provinces you are targeting.
Provincial application
File the province's own expression of interest or application with the settlement evidence and documentation it requires.
Nomination
On nomination, enhanced candidates receive 600 CRS points and accept the nomination in their Express Entry profile.
Permanent residence application
Enhanced candidates apply after an ITA; base-stream candidates file a separate paper-based application with IRCC.
Costs & government fees
- Most provinces charge their own nomination application fee; amounts differ significantly between jurisdictions and some streams are free.
- IRCC processing fees and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee apply to the federal stage regardless of nomination.
- Language testing, ECA, translations, medicals and police certificates are paid to the relevant providers.
- Confirm all current amounts with the province and with IRCC before budgeting.
Timelines
- Nomination processing varies widely by province and by stream, and some streams open only during published intake windows.
- Enhanced streams generally reach a decision faster at the federal stage than base streams, which are processed outside Express Entry.
- Draw frequency for each province is set by that province and is not predictable in advance.
- We track intake windows so an application is ready when a stream opens rather than after it closes.
Fees, processing times and occupation lists change. Always confirm the current position with the authority that makes the decision.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) →Common questions
Answered without hype.
No. A nomination adds 600 CRS points and effectively secures an invitation to apply, but the permanent residence decision remains with IRCC, which assesses eligibility and admissibility independently.
Nomination is granted on the basis that you intend to live and work in that province. You should only apply where you genuinely intend to settle.
Rules differ by province and some restrict concurrent applications. We confirm current policy for each province before filing.
Enhanced streams link to Express Entry and add 600 CRS points. Base streams operate outside Express Entry and lead to a separate permanent residence application, usually with longer processing.
Some streams require one and others do not. Employer-driven streams need a qualifying provincial job offer; occupation-driven streams often do not.
Related pathways
Explore your other options.
Talk this pathway through with a specialist.
Book a free assessment and a named consultant will review your occupation, qualifications and experience against current criteria.
MovesEdu is a private migration advisory firm. We are not a government body; all final decisions rest with Australian and Canadian immigration authorities.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the authoritative source for current fees, processing times and eligibility. Requirements change; always verify before making decisions.