The Provincial Nominee Program emerged as a solution for the federal and provincial governments to make people aware of the various benefits of Canadian immigration.
PNP began in 1998, and under this program, provinces can select those candidates who contribute to Canada’s economic growth and suggest IRCC provide them with permanent resident status.
Over 80 Provincial Nominee Programs are available to bring more workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs. Nunavut and Quebec prove to be exceptions because they have their set of economic-class programs. These programs operate differently depending upon each province’s different Labour force needs.
The reason behind Canada’s need for Provincial Nomination
Canadian immigration is a responsibility shared between the federal and provincial governments. As per Canadian history, provinces haven’t been much influence resulting in most newcomers settling in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The immigration benefits failed to reach rural Canada, grassy provinces, and Atlantic Canada. The jurisdictions in Canada could welcome and sustain more new immigrants through the PNP. However, it proved beneficial and continues to be one of the best immigration pathways under the economic class in 2022 and 2023.
How does the PNP operate?
There are mainly two PNPs available: the Base PNP and the Enhanced PNP.
Base PNP Stream Nomination
PNP offers broadly two ways of getting permanent residency- Base PNP and Enhanced PNP. When a candidate chooses to apply directly through a PNP stream it is referred to as Base PNP.
Under the Base PNP, the province ensures that the candidates meet all the eligibility requirements so that they can further send them a nomination.
After receiving the nomination, the candidate will apply for permanent residence at the IRCC. Those candidates who choose to apply through Base PNP for Canadian immigration shall get permanent residency within an average duration of 27 months.
Enhanced PNP Stream Nomination
Enhanced PNP streams work with the application management system of the federal Express Entry. Candidates who are already eligible under the Express Entry Program’s economic immigration streams include- the (FSTP) Federal Skilled Trades Program, (FSWP) the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), will more likely achieve an ITA (invitation to apply) with the help of a Provincial Nomination.
Provincial governments figure out the candidates who fit their provincial criteria perfectly through their online Express Entry profiles. Express Entry candidates can also show their inclination toward a specific province they wish to settle in. As a result, the candidate can also receive an interest notification for the candidate to apply for Provincial Nomination.
If a candidate feels interested in accepting the nomination, he will proceed with the application by directly submitting it to the province. They will need to meet all the necessary criteria to receive the nomination letter. Once they receive the letter, 600 points will be added to their CRS score. Getting these additional points assures an ITA from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) strengthening your chances for permanent residency.
The standard processing time for the Express Entry candidates is six months.
Evaluating the core benefits of PNP
With the availability of 80 PNP streams, Canada is filled with immense choices for its candidates to choose from. As per research, PNP has proven its benefits of promoting the economic accomplishment of new immigrants.
The eligibility criteria associated with each PNP are broad and there are numerous alternatives for candidates with human capital factors such as age, work experience, language abilities, and education.
Provinces such as the Atlantic province and the prairies, which don’t have a history of large immigrants, have been able to welcome skilled workers through the PNP. There are other provincial pathways too, such as the one for healthcare workers in Saskatchewan, that help provinces to reduce the workforce gap. The provinces are able to provide the newcomers with a variety of skilled careers.
PNPs have also catered to specific Labour market needs in provinces across the technology and healthcare industries in areas where the immigration level is high. These areas include Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.
