What is a Provincial Nomination?
A Provincial Nomination is granted by provinces/ territories to permanent residence applicants under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It certifies that the skills, education and work experience of an applicant are in demand in a specific province/territory. It also confirms that the applicant meets economic or labour market needs of the province/territory and of Canada.
How can you apply for a Provincial Nomination?
There are 2 ways by which you may apply for a Provincial Nomination:
(1) through the non-Express Entry process
To apply through the non-Express Entry process, you need to apply directly to the province/territory. If you meet the eligibility requirements of the province/territory, you will be nominated and will need to apply for permanent residence by using the regular online application process.
(2) through Express Entry if the province/territory has an Express Entry stream
You may apply for a provincial nomination through Express Entry by either:
- applying for a nomination under an Express Entry stream of a province/territory.
If you are nominated, you will need to create an Express Entry profile (or update the existing profile) and show that you have been nominated;
OR
- creating an Express Entry profile, selecting the provinces/territories you are interested in, and applying to their Express Entry stream for provincial nomination if you receive a “notification of interest.”
Upon nomination, you will receive the nomination certificate in your Express Entry account.
To apply through Express Entry, you must
- meet the eligibility requirements of the province/territory; and
- submit an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry.
What are the benefits of applying for a Provincial Nomination via Express Entry (as opposed to the non-Express Entry process)?
- faster processing time of permanent residence applications
- receiving 600 additional CRS points in the Express Entry profile, which will practically guarantee receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.