CANADA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (PNP) 2025
Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of Canada’s key pathways for skilled individuals seeking permanent residency with a regional focus. Through PNP, provinces and territories nominate candidates who can support their local economies and fill in-demand job roles based on specific labour market needs.
Each province—including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan—runs its own unique streams under the PNP, targeting professionals, graduates, entrepreneurs, and semi-skilled workers. This makes PNP a flexible and targeted immigration option for candidates who may not meet the high CRS cut-offs in Express Entry.
As per Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027, PNP admissions are now capped at 55,000 annually, a significant adjustment reflecting a more centralized focus on federal immigration programs. In comparison, Express Entry admissions will surge to 124,680 in 2025, indicating a shift in the government’s overall strategy.
Despite this, PNPs remain a powerful choice for applicants with strong ties to a specific province or those aligned with in-demand occupations. At Smart Geek Visas, our experts help you identify the right PNP stream based on your profile, increasing your chances of receiving a provincial nomination.
How Many PNPs Are There in Canada?
Canada offers a diverse network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), with nearly every province and territory operating its own immigration streams tailored to local labour market needs. These PNPs allow provinces to nominate skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates for Canadian permanent residency based on their unique demographic and economic priorities.
Here are some of the major Canada PNP programs:
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP):
Alberta’s PNP allows foreign nationals to apply for a provincial nomination through three distinct streams:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream
- Alberta Express Entry Stream
- Self-Employed Farmer Stream
To qualify, candidates must meet the specific criteria of the stream and demonstrate a genuine intent to live and work in Alberta.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP):
British Columbia offers provincial nominations through multiple pathways for individuals with the right skills and qualifications. The key streams include:
- Skills Immigration
- Express Entry BC
- Entrepreneur Immigration
These categories are aimed at attracting skilled professionals, international graduates, and business-minded individuals looking to contribute to B.C.’s growing economy.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP):
Manitoba welcomes skilled workers, international graduates, and business investors—along with their families—who can contribute to the province’s economic development. Candidates must demonstrate both the capability and commitment to settle in Manitoba.
The available streams include:
- Skilled Workers in Manitoba
- Skilled Workers Overseas
- International Education Stream
- Business Investor Stream
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP):
Ontario’s PNP targets foreign talent with strong education, experience, and intent to reside permanently in the province. The program offers a wide range of streams under economic immigration:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- Masters Graduate Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP):
The SINP offers a route for foreign nationals to obtain Canadian permanent residency by settling in Saskatchewan. It includes several streams tailored to different applicant profiles:
- International Skilled Worker
- Saskatchewan Experience
- Entrepreneur and Farm
Eligible applicants must meet the stream-specific requirements and show genuine intent to live in the province.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP):
PEI’s nomination program targets skilled professionals and entrepreneurs who can support the province’s workforce needs. Qualified candidates are granted a Provincial Nomination Certificate, allowing them to apply for Canadian PR through federal channels. The main PEI PNP categories include:
- Express Entry
- Labour Impact Category
- Business Impact Category
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP):
New Brunswick, a bilingual province with key cities like Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John, offers provincial nominations to skilled workers and entrepreneurs. The NBPNP welcomes candidates who align with the province’s labour market needs. Available streams are:
- Skilled Workers with Employer Support
- Express Entry Labour Market Stream
- Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
- Entrepreneurial Stream
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP):
Comprising both the island of Newfoundland and mainland-connected Labrador, this province offers pathways to permanent residency for skilled individuals and graduates. With a growing economy rooted in energy and resources, NLPNP supports immigration through the following categories:
- Express Entry Skilled Worker
- Skilled Worker
- International Graduate
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP):
Nova Scotia’s PNP provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled professionals, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates looking to settle in the province. The program operates several streams designed to meet Nova Scotia’s labour and economic needs:
- Labour Market Priorities
- Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
- Physician
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Skilled Worker
- Occupations in Demand
- Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP):
The YNP enables employers in Yukon to nominate internationally trained workers and business candidates for Canadian permanent residency. This program supports the territory’s workforce and economic goals through four primary streams:
- Yukon Express Entry (YEE)
- Critical Impact Worker
- Skilled Worker
- Business Nominee
Each of these programs features multiple streams, such as those for skilled workers, international graduates, and business investors. At Smart Geek Visas, we evaluate your eligibility for all relevant PNP streams to match you with the best provincial pathway to Canadian PR.
Am I Eligible for Canada PNP?
Eligibility for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) depends on the specific province and stream you apply to. Each province designs its PNP to attract individuals who can contribute to its economic growth and settle permanently in the region. While the criteria vary, most PNPs prioritize candidates who meet one or more of the following:
- Occupation in demand within the province or territory
- Prior connection to the province, such as education, work experience, or a close family member
- Strong language proficiency in English or French
- Younger age group, typically under 40
- Relevant education and skilled work experience aligned with local labor shortages
Some provinces focus on tech professionals, while others may favour healthcare workers, tradespeople, or business investors. Additionally, many PNPs offer dedicated streams for international graduates, temporary foreign workers, or Express Entry candidates with provincial interest.
At Smart Geek Visas, we assess your profile against over 80+ PNP immigration streams to determine your best-fit options and help you build a strong, nomination-ready application.
How to Apply for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
Applying for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) involves a step-by-step process, which may differ slightly depending on the province and stream. However, the general pathway follows these four key stages:
Step 1: Assess Your PNP Eligibility
Start by evaluating your profile against the eligibility criteria of various PNPs. Factors like job experience, education, language scores, and ties to a specific province play a critical role. Smart Geek Visas can help you identify the best-fit PNP stream based on your goals and background.
Step 2: Submit Your Nomination Application
Once eligible, you must submit an official application to the chosen provincial authority. Some streams are aligned with Express Entry (enhanced PNP), while others operate independently (base PNP). The documentation and process vary by stream.
Step 3: Receive Your Provincial Nomination
If your application is approved, the province or territory will issue a Provincial Nomination Certificate, significantly boosting your chances of obtaining Canadian PR. Enhanced PNP applicants get an extra 600 CRS points in Express Entry.
Step 4: Apply for Permanent Residency
Use your nomination to apply for a Canada PR Visa through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- If aligned with Express Entry, apply online.
- For non-Express Entry streams, follow the paper-based route.
At Smart Geek Visas, we guide you through every step—from eligibility checks to PR submission—to ensure a smooth and successful immigration journey.
Applying for Canada PNP via Paper-Based Process
If your Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is not linked to the Express Entry system, you’ll need to follow the paper-based PR application route.
Once you receive your provincial nomination certificate, you must submit a paper application for permanent residence directly to IRCC. This includes supporting documents like a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and results from a medical examination.
Keep in mind, the paper-based pathway is slower compared to Express Entry. While Express Entry applications are typically processed within 6 months, paper-based PNP applications can take up to 18 months or more.
Despite the longer timeline, this route is ideal for applicants who may not qualify under Express Entry but meet a province’s unique labor or regional criteria.
Applying for Canada PNP via Express Entry
If your PNP stream is aligned with the Express Entry system (known as an enhanced nomination), the process is faster and fully online. Here’s how it works:
- Create an Express Entry profile and indicate your interest in a specific province.
- Once you receive a provincial nomination, it will be linked to your Express Entry profile.
- Your profile will instantly receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, drastically increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
With these extra CRS points, your chances of PR selection in the next draw become almost certain. At Smart Geek Visas, we specialize in building high-impact Express Entry profiles backed by provincial nominations for faster results.
Express Entry-Aligned Provincial Nominee Programs
Many provinces in Canada operate “enhanced” PNP streams that are integrated with the Express Entry system. These streams allow provinces to actively select skilled candidates from the federal Express Entry pool based on regional labour shortages and economic priorities.
If you’re already in the Express Entry pool, receiving a provincial nomination gives you a powerful boost—600 additional CRS points, which all but guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next draw for permanent residency.
This synergy between PNPs and Express Entry is ideal for high-scoring candidates who want to fast-track their journey to Canada PR while also meeting specific provincial demands.
Canada PNP Processing Time – What to Expect?
The total processing time for a PNP application depends on whether you apply through an Express Entry-linked stream or a non-Express Entry (paper-based) stream. Here’s a breakdown:
Express Entry-Aligned PNPs
- Faster processing
- Total timeline: 6 to 8 months
- Includes both provincial nomination and IRCC PR processing
- Entire process is online
Non-Express Entry (Paper-Based) PNPs
- Traditional route
- Total timeline: 12 to 24 months
- Requires physical document submission
- Often suitable for lower CRS profiles or targeted streams
Some provinces now issue nominations within just a few weeks, making the initial step quicker than before. At Smart Geek Visas, we monitor real-time processing trends to guide you toward the fastest and most reliable PNP options available.
Provincial Nominee Program Tracker
| Year | Provincial Nominee Program | No. of Invitations | Score Range |
| In 2024 | Alberta PNP | 4,980 | 40-71 |
| In 2024 | British Columbia PNP | 58 | 60-148 |
| In 2024 | Manitoba PNP | 7,207 | 516-872 |
| In 2024 | Ontario PNP | 45,286 | 33-528 |
| In 2024 | Prince Edward Island PNP | 1,048 | 65-125 |
| In 2024 | Quebec PNP | 24,144 | 573-615 |
| In 2024 | Saskatchewan PNP | 244 | 88-89 |
Why Choose Smart Geek Visas for Your Canada PR Journey?
At Smart Geek Visas, we’ve helped thousands of applicants and families successfully secure Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry, PNP, and other immigration streams. With over 15 years of industry expertise, we understand what it takes to craft a winning PR application—because we do it every day. Here’s why our clients trust us:
- Over 30,000+ successful immigration cases handled
- In-depth case evaluation, reviewed by multiple experts
- Secure and streamlined online process
- Prompt support and escalation channels
- Customized guidance for professionals, families, and students
Let Smart Geek Visas be your trusted immigrant consultant partner partner in making Canada your new home.
Frequently Asked Questions – Canada PNP Immigration
1
What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
2
Can I apply for PNP without Express Entry?
3
How many points do I get for a PNP nomination?
4
How long does PNP take to process?
5
Who is eligible to apply under PNP?
Thinking About SmartGeek Visas?
News
Move to Europe from India – The Smart Geek Way
We have over 100 professional software engineers with over 10
How Canada’s Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) Is Changing Lives in 2025
We have over 100 professional software engineers with over 10
Is Canada a Better Place to Live than the UK? | Smart Geek Visas
We have over 100 professional software engineers with over 10
Our Media Mentions
