Immigrate to Canada through a Provincial Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are a route to permanent residence in which a province selects you first and IRCC, the federal immigration department, then approves your PR. In 2026, Canada plans to admit 91,500 people through the PNP — 66% more than in 2025 (55,000). For many people who don’t have enough points for Express Entry, it’s the most realistic path to PR.
Who takes part
- 9 provinces
- 2 territories
- Quebec and Nunavut don’t take part
How we can help
We handle your case from choosing a province all the way to the decision on your PR.
- 1
Choosing a program
We’ll find a provincial program that fits your profile.
- 2
Your provincial application
We’ll prepare your application to meet the province’s requirements.
- 3
A visit, if needed
If required, we’ll help arrange an exploratory visit.
- 4
Family documents
We’ll prepare documents for you and your family members.
- 5
Through to a decision
We’ll stay in touch throughout processing.
How provincial programs work
Each participating province and territory runs its own programs, or “streams”: for occupations it needs, for graduates of local colleges and universities, and for entrepreneurs. The province reviews your profile and, if you qualify, issues a nomination. The nomination is then used to apply to IRCC for PR, where your medical exam, police certificates and eligibility are checked. A nomination on its own doesn’t give you status or the right to work.
Nine provinces and two territories take part: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Quebec and Nunavut don’t participate in the PNP — Quebec has its own selection system.
Two routes: through Express Entry or directly
- Through Express Entry. If you qualify for both a provincial stream and one of the federal Express Entry programs, a nomination adds 600 CRS points to your profile. That’s usually enough to be invited in one of the next draws for nominees. IRCC’s service standard for these applications is 6 months.
- Directly, outside Express Entry. If you don’t qualify for Express Entry (for example, because of your occupation’s skill level or your language scores), you apply to the province directly and, once nominated, apply for PR through IRCC’s online portal. IRCC’s service standard is 11 months.
Neither timeline includes the time the province takes to select and nominate you.
Main programs in the larger provinces in 2026
| Province | Main programs for workers | Job offer required? | Provincial fee (CAD) |
| Ontario (OINP) | Since summer 2026, a single Ontario Workforce Priority stream has replaced the previous eight | Yes, a permanent full-time job | 1,500; 2,000 for jobs in the Greater Toronto Area |
| British Columbia (BC PNP) | Skills Immigration: Skilled Worker and Health Authority, with an Express Entry BC option | Yes | 1,750 |
| Alberta (AAIP) | Alberta Opportunity, Alberta Express Entry, Rural Renewal, Tourism and Hospitality | Yes, in most streams | 1,500 (plus 135 per expression of interest) |
| Saskatchewan (SINP) | International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer, Occupations In-Demand, Saskatchewan Express Entry; Saskatchewan Experience | Not always: not needed for Occupations In-Demand or Saskatchewan Express Entry | 500 |
| Manitoba (MPNP) | Skilled Worker in Manitoba, Skilled Worker Overseas, International Education | Yes if you work in the province; applicants from abroad need a connection to Manitoba | Check the province’s website |
| Atlantic provinces | Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador each have their own streams, including Express Entry–aligned ones | Usually yes | Nova Scotia — 1,000, Prince Edward Island — 300, others — check the province’s website |
Provincial programs change often: streams open and close, and quotas by occupation are introduced. For example, in June 2026 Ontario closed eight streams and replaced them with a single new one. Always check the current requirements on the province’s official website before you apply.
How much it costs
On top of the provincial fee, there are IRCC fees for the PR application: since April 30, 2026, CAD 1,590 for each adult and CAD 270 for each child, plus biometrics (CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 per family).
When a provincial program is a better fit than Express Entry
- you already work in the province and your employer is ready to support your application;
- your CRS score isn’t high enough for federal draws;
- your occupation is TEER 4 or 5 — these don’t qualify for Express Entry, but some provinces accept them through direct streams;
- you graduated from a college or university in the province;
- you’re prepared to live in a specific province — this is a requirement of the program.
How can ViBK IMMIGRATION CONSULTING help you?
If you need help choosing a provincial program, we’ll review your situation and put together a personal immigration plan based on your age, education, language level, work experience and the provinces where your occupation is in demand.
- We find a provincial program that fits your profile.
- We prepare your application to meet the chosen province’s requirements.
- We help arrange an exploratory visit if one is needed.
- We prepare documents for you and your family members.
- We stay in touch throughout processing.
Book a consultation — we’ll review your situation in detail and find the programs that are right for you.
What our clients say
5.0★★★★★Google ratingRead reviews →I would highly recommended this team for everyone that looking for an immigration help. This team was very helpful and committed. Even though my immigration journey was not easy, I was be able to receive my status of permanent resident in Canada even during this uncertain time.
Thank you guys for your great job!
I had an overall positive experience. It was a pleasure working with Viktoriia—she is highly competent, intelligent, and honest. She was easy to work with throughout the process. My case was quite challenging, but with her support, we made it through successfully.
Google review · a challenging caseReviews are quoted as written; shortened passages are marked “…”. Every case is different, and the final decision always rests with IRCC.
Provincial nominee programs: frequently asked questions
Does a provincial nomination guarantee PR?
No. A nomination means the province has selected you, but IRCC makes the final decision on PR. IRCC checks your medical exam, police certificates and whether you meet the program requirements, and in rare cases an application is refused even with a nomination.
How many points does a nomination add in Express Entry?
A nomination through an Express Entry–aligned stream adds 600 CRS points. A nomination through a direct stream, outside Express Entry, doesn’t add points — the PR application is submitted separately through IRCC’s online portal.
Do I need a job offer to apply for a provincial program?
For most programs, yes. Since 2026 a job offer has been mandatory in Ontario, and it’s also required in British Columbia and in most Alberta streams. Some Saskatchewan streams (Occupations In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry) accept applicants without a job offer, but they have their own occupation and experience requirements.
Do I have to live in the province that nominated me?
Yes. Under Canadian law, a provincial nominee must intend to live in the province that nominated them, and provinces assess this intention during selection. If your plans change before you receive PR, you need to tell IRCC.
Are provincial programs open to TEER 4 and 5 occupations?
Some are. Express Entry doesn’t accept these occupations, but several provinces have direct streams for them. For example, Ontario’s new Workforce Priority stream accepts TEER 4–5 workers with a job offer, language at CLB 4 or higher and at least 9 months of experience.
How long does immigration through a provincial program take?
There are two stages: selection and nomination by the province, then IRCC’s review of your PR application. IRCC’s service standard is 6 months for Express Entry applications and 11 months for all others. Provincial processing times vary widely depending on the stream and the number of available spots.
Can I apply to more than one province at a time?
Yes, you can submit expressions of interest to different provinces if you meet their requirements. But each province checks whether you really intend to live there, so choose based on where you actually plan to live and work.
How do I know which province is right for me?
It depends on your occupation, experience, language level, where you live and work now, and whether you have a job offer. In a consultation, we’ll review your situation and find the programs you qualify for now or could qualify for later. Every case is different, and the outcome depends on the decisions of the province and IRCC.
Want to get a provincial nomination?
Start with a free assessment. Then book a consultation — we’ll review your situation, put together a plan and handle your case right through to IRCC’s decision.
