After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination, applicants usually have between 20 and 60 days to submit a full application to the province. This application must include all required supporting documents.
If applicants fail to submit proper proof showing they meet the requirements of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream they were invited under, the province may refuse the application or even withdraw the nomination.
This article explains what types of documents are usually required to prove eligibility for common PNP requirements, including:
- Language proficiency
- Education
- Job offer
- Work experience
- Proof of funds
- Intent to reside
Declaring Information At The Candidate Stage
To become a permanent resident (PR) through a PNP, a foreign national must first receive a provincial nomination.
Most provinces now use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to select candidates. Individuals first enter an EOI pool. If selected, they receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
At the EOI stage, candidates usually complete an online form. They enter details about their background, such as work experience, language skills, and education. In most cases, they do not need to upload proof at this stage, except in some situations, such as submitting official language test results.
Once candidates receive an invitation and submit their provincial nomination application, they must provide documents to:
- Support the information shared at the EOI stage
- Confirm they meet all eligibility requirements for the stream they were invited under
- Show their intention to live in the nominating province
If the province approves the nomination, the applicant can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence or enter the Express Entry pool and seek an ITA through the system.
Avoiding Refusal At The Nomination Application Stage
If an applicant cannot provide enough proof when submitting a provincial nomination application, the province will likely refuse the application. Without a nomination, the applicant cannot immigrate to Canada through that PNP stream.
Each PNP stream has different requirements. However, some general requirements apply across most streams. Below are common types of requirements and the documents that can be used to prove them, helping applicants avoid refusal.
Some documents take longer to collect than others. It is helpful to start gathering documents before receiving an ITA, as most PNPs give only 20 to 60 days to submit a complete application, depending on the province.
Language Proficiency
One of the important documents to prepare to avoid refusal for provincial nomination is the language test results.
Applicants must provide valid language test results from an approved test provider. These results must show that the applicant meets the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for the stream.
Accepted tests usually include:
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General)
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General)
- PTE Core: Pearson Test of English
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français.
To be valid, test results must be less than two years old at the time of application.
If an applicant submits test results that are not accepted or are older than two years, the province will reject the application.
Education
Most PNP streams require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or a post-secondary credential. Applicants can submit the following as proof:
- Copies of credentials, such as degrees, diplomas, or certificates
- Copies of official academic transcripts
PNP streams that accept overseas applicants may require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This confirms that a foreign credential is equal to a Canadian one. The ECA must be issued by a designated organization and be no more than five years old at the time of application.
Note: If an applicant has completed a program but has not yet received the final certificate, some PNPs may accept an official letter of completion from the educational institution as temporary proof.
Failure to provide proof of education will result in application refusal. In addition, many PNP streams target graduates from within the province. Applicants with education from outside the province or country may not qualify for these streams.
Job Offer
Many PNP streams require applicants to have a job offer. The job often must fall under a specific TEER or National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. For job-offer-based streams, applicants should include the following:
- Signed job offer or employment letter, dated and printed on company letterhead, including:
- Applicant’s name and employer’s contact information (address, phone number, email)
- Job title, main duties, wage or salary, number of work hours per week, work location, and start date
- Whether the job is permanent or indeterminate, full-time, and non-seasonal (if required)
- Signed employment contract, showing the same details as above, plus benefits, probation terms, termination clauses, and contract duration (or confirmation of an indeterminate position).
- Many PNP streams require only one of the above if it includes all required details. However, applicants often upload both to avoid missing information requests.
- Employer support documents, such as signed employer declaration or support form or
authorization forms allowing the province to verify employment. - Proof that the employer is legitimate and operating, such as
- Business registration
- Business licence(s)
- CRA business number
- Payroll account information
If the applicant is already working for the employer, additional documents may include:
- Recent pay stubs (usually the last three months)
- T4 slips (if employed for at least one tax year)
- Bank statements showing salary deposits
Work Experience
Another one of the key documents to prepare to avoid refusal for provincial nomination is work experience.
Well, PNP streams usually require a certain amount of work experience within a recent time period. This experience must often fall under a specific TEER or NOC code. Applicants must provide documents for each job they wish to count.
Required documents usually include:
- Dated employer reference letters on company letterhead for each job, including:
- Business address, phone number, email, and website
- Name(s) and signatures of supervisors
- Job titles and employment dates for each role
- Detailed list of duties and responsibilities
- Total annual salary and benefits
- Number of hours worked per week, weeks worked per year, and any long periods of leave
- Copies of employment contracts (often optional)
- Proof of payment, which may include:
- Pay slips, pay cheques, or pay statements
- Bank statements showing salary deposits
- Income tax documents
- Employer letters confirming salary or hourly wage
- If the applicant worked or is working in Canada, tax documents may be required, such as T4 slips and Notices of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- A copy of the applicant’s resume, clearly outlining current and past work experience, is often optional but helpful. The resume should list job duties and responsibilities for each role.
If the applicant does not submit enough proof for the required work experience, the application will be considered incomplete and may be refused.
Proof Of Funds Or Settlement Funds
Applicants must show they have enough money to support themselves and their family when settling in Canada. Some provinces require a specific amount, while others do not.
Accepted proof usually includes:
- Official letters from financial institutions, on letterhead, showing:
- Applicant’s personal information (name, address, phone number, email)
- Outstanding debts, such as credit cards and loans
- For each bank and investment account: account numbers, opening dates, current balance, and average balance over the past three to six months
- Copies of bank statements or certificates of deposit (usually covering the last three months), in the applicant’s name or the name of their spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.
- Copies of securities and investments, if applicable.
- Proof of real estate ownership, including property valuation, if applicable.
- Proof of other assets owned by the applicant or spouse, including fair market value assessments, if applicable. Personal items such as jewelry, furniture, or vehicles usually do not count.
Some provinces also require proof that funds can be transferred to Canada, especially if there are currency restrictions in the applicant’s country of residence.
If an applicant cannot provide enough proof of funds, the province will consider the applicant ineligible, and the application will be refused.
Intent To Reside
Provinces require applicants to confirm their intention to live in the nominating province after receiving a nomination. This usually involves signing a declaration of intent.
Applicants can also strengthen their case by providing proof of ties to the province, such as:
- Employment and employability in the province
- Job offer in the province
- Proof of job search activities, such as job applications, interview invitations, recruiter emails, or networking efforts
- Proof of steps taken toward required licensing or registration in the province, such as regulator emails or exam bookings.
- Housing and relocation plans
- Proof of property ownership or a signed lease
- Emails related to housing searches
- Correspondence with landlords or real estate agents
- Shipping quotes for moving personal items
- School or daycare inquiries
- Contact with settlement agencies
- Ties and community connections
- Family or friends in the province, supported by letters and proof of relationship
- Past visits, previous residence, study, or work in the province
- Membership in professional groups, religious organizations, community groups, or volunteer plans
Many provinces also require a detailed written statement explaining the intention to live in the province. This is especially important if the applicant cannot provide strong ties. For example, Nova Scotia often asks why the applicant wants to settle there, what the province can offer the applicant and family, and why the applicant wants to move there if currently living elsewhere in Canada.
If the province believes the applicant does not genuinely plan to live there or has stronger ties to another province, the application may be refused.
Other, Miscellaneous
Now that we have discussed important documents to prepare to avoid refusal for provincial nomination, let us look at some other miscellaneous documents.
Well, many PNP streams also require the following documents. Failure to provide them may result in delays or refusal:
- Notarized Translations
All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a notarized translation completed by a certified translator.
- Police Certificates
Applicants must provide police certificates from any country or place where they lived for six months or longer in the last 10 years. This does not apply to time spent before turning 18 or time spent in Canada.
- Licensing And Accreditation
For regulated occupations or when required by the PNP stream or job offer, applicants must provide proof of professional licensing or accreditation. This may include registration letters, certificates, or proof that an application has been submitted.
- Valid Immigration Status
Applicants applying from within Canada must provide proof of valid temporary resident status. This may include a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa, along with proof that they have followed the conditions of their status.
It is important to note that some PNP streams require applicants to hold a specific permit or to have a certain amount of time remaining on their permit at the time of application. For example, Nova Scotia’s International Graduate Category requires a Post-Graduation Work Permit with at least four months of validity when applying.
Applicants should always follow the official document checklist for the PNP stream they are applying under. These checklists are usually found in the stream’s application guide and explain exactly which documents are required.
If a province finds that an applicant has misrepresented information, either directly or indirectly, the application will be refused. The nomination may be withdrawn, and more serious consequences may follow, such as a five-year ban from entering Canada. Misrepresentation includes leaving out important facts or providing false, altered, incomplete, or misleading information or documents.
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