A PNP candidate’s potential for Canadian success is something that the IRCC verifies and decides upon after proper assessment. However, lately, IRCC updated the instructions on assessing a principal PNP applicant’s ability to establish themselves in Canada.
The economic class candidates in Canada usually access the most prominent pathway, the Provincial Nominee Program. Annually, IRCC reveals the Immigration Levels Plan, which dictates an estimate of upcoming targets for new Permanent Residents for economic immigration programs.
According to the 2023 plan, the immigration target for new permanent residents under PNP is 105,000. The IRPR has laid the following conditions mandatory for candidates to become eligible for a provincial nomination:
- They must display the potential to establish themselves economically in Canada.
- Attain a nomination certificate to your name through the provincial or territorial government.
- They must demonstrate their intention of living in the specific province or territory through which they received a nomination.
Interestingly, the PNP candidate’s family members may also obtain Canadian Permanent Residency. However, the principal applicant must successfully fulfill the essential criteria to gain economic stability in Canada.
PNP Candidate’s Potential for Canadian Success
Canada’s idea of the candidates economically establishing themselves fairly revolves around their ability to support themselves financially when they reside here. However, when they can attain a provincial nomination, they get sufficient proof to prove their potential. This is merely due to the fact that PNP applications generally comprise similar information and eligibility requirements as that of PR applications to IRCC. Yet, one must not forget that these two applications are distinct and can’t be treated the same.
How does IRCC decide the candidate’s ability to establish economically?
On the other hand, there could be certain situations where an IRCC officer might question their potential to be financially self-reliant in Canada. This further implies that in such cases, the candidates must be able to see the other underlying factors apart from a provincial nomination.
For instance, the candidate’s existing job, language test outcomes, work experience, education, and communication abilities during an interview. However, it will all depend on the IRCC officer and whether they’re able to see red flags or not. If they see any issues, they might question the candidate.
Officers will evaluate the candidate’s potential based on their individual cases. This further implies that the officer might question if the candidate is highly qualified but received a nomination under a low or intermediate-skilled profession. According to IRCC, this will be a sign of non-alignment.
On the other hand, if the officer gets to know that the candidate received a job offer for a certain position for which they were not adequately trained or experienced, they might question their intention for the Canadian labor market.
Officials will also assess the candidate’s occupation by carrying out a comparison with others through NOC codes. Post-evaluation, if the officer has any issues, they might call the candidates for justification.
Another situation might be of concern if the applicant relies on a relative (already staying in the province) for financial assistance.
What about the intention to stay in a province?
Applicants looking forward to a Permanent Residence status in Canada through a PNP need to understand that their intention will be the primary factor for them.
The applicants must be able to convince the immigration officer that they intend to stay in the particular province or territory before they offer a Permanent Residence Visa.
Additionally, the province or territory will assess all of this even before offering to nominate the applicants. Even in situations where the officers will question a candidate’s intention, they will let the candidate confront the specific concern. This implies that IRCC officers work in alignment with procedural fairness.
PNP growth
Provincial and federal governments in Canada have taken responsibility for immigration. PNPs came into effect in 1998 to aid in distributing the economic advantages of immigration nationwide. Provincial governments can search for people they think are most qualified to contribute to the provincial economy and address local labor shortages.
Only 400 new permanent residents entered Canada through PNP in its first year. Since then, the program has been a success, and by the end of 2025, 117,500 immigrants will be allowed entry into Canada annually.
PNP Candidate’s Potential for Canadian Success- Base and Enhanced Nominations
PNP applications are primarily categorized as either Base PNP or Enhanced PNP. Base PNP candidates apply to a PNP stream directly, and this stream has no relation with Express Entry. For instance, if a candidate gets approval from IRCC, they will further have to submit the provincial nomination certificate to IRCC with the PR application.
Enhanced Nomination implies when the candidate receives a nomination through the provincial government to apply for a PNP stream aligned with Express Entry.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool might receive a nomination even if they don’t apply for a PNP. This is mainly because the provincial government has the right to view their Express Entry profile from the pool.
This also implies that if a candidate is appropriate for the province, they might send the PNP invitation to them.
Express Entry is an online system to manage applications and supervises the three chief economic class immigration programs. These programs are popularly the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the FSTP.
The programs’ candidates get scores based on the Comprehensive Ranking System. The evaluating factors include language skills, work experience, education, and human capital factors. Candidates with superior ranks or scores only receive ITA for Canadian Permanent Residency.
Candidates receiving an ITA for provincial nomination and also getting their application approved will get 600 additional points and an enhanced nomination.
These extra points determine for sure that a candidate will receive an ITA for Canadian PR in the near future.
