Provincial Nominee Program
Eligibilities and requirements
This program is for workers who
- have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
- want to live in that province and
- want to become permanent residents of Canada
Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target
- students
- business people
- skilled workers
- semi-skilled workers
Understand the application options
How you will apply depends on which Provincial Nominee Program stream you’re applying to. You might need to apply using:
- Express Entry
- Non-Express Entry process
As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.
Non-Express Entry process
In the non-Express Entry process:
- you apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.
- you need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.
- if you’re nominated, you apply for permanent residence online
- you have to get a
- application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.
National Occupational Classification 2021
On November 16, 2022, IRCC is switching to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
If the province or territory will get your application on or after November 16, 2022, you must use the 2021 version of NOC.
Express Entry process
There are 2 ways to apply:
- You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.
- If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.
OR
- You create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.
- If a province or territory sends a “notification of interest” to your account, you contact them directly.
- You apply to their Express Entry stream.
- If you’re nominated, the province or territory will send a nomination certificate to your account, and you accept it electronically.
National Occupational Classification 2021
If you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry process before November 16, 2022, you must submit your Express Entry application for permanent residence using NOC 2016.
Choose a province or territory
To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:
Note: The criteria by province and territory vary and can change without notice.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker.
A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.
Once an employer gets the LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.
To apply for a work permit, a worker needs
- a job offer letter
- a contract
- a copy of the LMIA, and
- the LMIA number
