What is Express Entry PNP – Provincial Nominee Program?

The majority of provinces in Canada are able to nominate immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Since its launch in 2015, many provinces have joined the Express Entry system to manage their intake of immigrants. This created specific streams that are more commonly referred to as Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

These immigrants must have the skills, education and work experience that suit the requirements of relevant provinces. In addition, the candidates selected through Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs must show intent to reside in the nominating province.

Each province has its own requirements, guidelines, procedure, processing time, and quota for their Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs. One thing that beginners tend to miss is making sure that they meet both EE as well as PNP requirements. We have already discussed the eligibility for Express Entry in another article.

A nomination from one of the provinces under Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs adds 600 additional points to your overall CRS. In most cases this will secure you an ITA in the next draw. You can initiate your process for provincial nomination before or after you create your Express Entry profile. Check the specifics laid out within the EE stream of the Province’s Nomination Program.

How to get points for a provincial nomination under Express Entry?

To be awarded 600 CRS points under for your Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination, your certificate should meet the following criteria:

• It should be accepted in the system by both you and the province or territory.
• It should have been issued after January 1, 2015.
• It should be valid (i.e. not expired) when you submit your application for permanent residence.
• It should have been issued for a PNP Express Entry stream.

How can I apply for Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)?

Each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories have at least 1 PNP stream for Express Entry. More provinces continue to create EE streams in order to meet the growing need for skilled workers all across the country. Canada intends to increase immigration numbers to 1.3 million by 2021-23 and PNP streams are a significant contributor to that goal.

Once you are in the Express Entry pool, there are two ways to be considered for a nomination. You could either contact your chosen province, apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.

In case the province agrees to nominate you, create/update your Express Entry profile to show your nomination. The second way is to first indicate all the provinces you are interested in. You can also indicate “all provinces and territories” when completing your profile.

Then, you need to wait for them to send you a “notification of interest” and you can contact them directly. You can accept their offer electronically. However, in both scenarios, you must meet the eligibility requirements of the province/territory.

Once you are in the Express Entry pool, you can do one of the following to be considered for a nomination.

Method 1: Proactively contact a relevant province

Process flow

• Manually check for eligibility requirements for individual provinces. Shortlist the Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs that you are eligible for.
• Send your completed applications to these provinces and wait for their response after a formal assessment.
• If the province confirms you have a nomination, update your Express Entry profile. Mention that you have a nomination under Application Details search for “Nomination and selection” in the provincial nomination section.
• Select the province that nominated you from the drop-down menu and save your profile.
• Contact your province again and provide them your Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code.
• Wait for the nominating province to send confirmation to IRCC.
• Select either “accept” or “do not accept” from MyCIC account within 30 days from the date of nomination. The deadline may change, your MyCIC account will show you the correct dates.
• If you accept the nomination the province will send you a copy of your nomination certificate. You will also get a pdf letter through your MyCIC account confirming additional 600 points.
• If you choose to not accept then your profile stays as active in the pool as before.

Please note that some provinces do not allow applications unless they have sent you a notification (e.g Ontario). For such provinces Method 1 does not apply.

Method 2: Wait for the province to contact you

Process flow

• While creating your Express Entry profile select the provinces you are interested in (you have the option to select all )
• Provinces will be notified internally by IRCC about your choice.
• Provinces have the ability to check your profiles in the Express Entry pool.
• Interested provinces will send you a “notification of interest” to your MyCIC account. NOTE : “notification of interest” is not a Nomination. Its best to treat it as just one step towards nomination.
• Once your receive “notification of interest” contact the province separately by following guidelines provided in their Express Entry streams
• Send your application to the province following their guidelines
• The province(s) will formally assess your application and award you a nomination based on their assessment.
• Once a nomination is received, you will need to confirm acceptance within 30 days.
• If you accept the nomination the province will send you a copy of your nomination certificate. You will also get a pdf letter through your MyCIC account confirming additional 600 points.
• If you choose to not accept then your profile stays as active in the pool as before.

The requirements for provincial nominees for using Express Entry differ from the existing Provincial nominees program. Please get in touch with the province that nominated you to learn more about the next steps.

Where can I find more information on Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs?

For a quick reference, a summary of requirements for all Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs is provided in this guide. In the best interest of applicants, direct links to respective EE streams have been provided. If you see an eligible PNP that is open on the province webpage then you can proceed further with the process.

Please note that the requirements, guidelines, procedures, processing time, and the quota for Express Entry PNPs are subject to frequent changes. Please ensure that you also check the official Province pages and application guides before making a decision. .

Continue reading to find out more about eligibility requirements for Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Here’s a list of all Express Entry Canada PNP streams with direct links to their landing pages.

Province	Stream Name
Alberta	Express Entry
British Columbia	EEBC – Skilled Worker
British Columbia	EEBC – Health Care Professional
British Columbia	EEBC – International Graduate
British Columbia	EEBC – International Post-Graduate
Manitoba	Skilled Workers Overseas: Express Entry Pathway
New Brunswick	Express Entry New Brunswick Labour Market Stream
Newfoundland and Labrador	Express Entry Skilled Worker
Northwest Territories	NWT Express Entry Stream for Skilled Workers
Nova Scotia	Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
Nova Scotia	Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
Ontario	Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
Ontario	Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Ontario	Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
Prince Edward Island	PEI Express Entry
Saskatchewan	International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry
Yukon	Express Entry