The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of Canada’s most visible economic immigration programs, with the country aiming to admit 117,500 entrants each year by the end of 2025. Express Entry candidates will be included in many PNP admissions.
This year, there have been significant adjustments to Express Entry. On May 31, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced six new Express Entry categories based on attributes.
Candidates who match the criteria for one of the six categories listed below have an additional opportunity to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw:
· Healthcare
· Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
· Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
· Transport
· Agriculture and agri-food
· Strong French language abilities
However, an eligible Express Entry candidate may be selected in an all-program draw, a program-specific draw, or a category-based selection draw. Should a province accept the same candidate who has been nominated by the PNP?
How does the PNP work?
Except for Quebec and Nunavut, each Canadian province and territory has its own PNP. The federal government grants nominations through these schemes, which a province government can utilize to pick economic immigration candidates who are most likely to effectively integrate into the provincial economy or workforce. Because immigration is a shared duty of the provincial and federal governments, this is possible.
A candidate who receives and accepts a nomination asks for nomination directly to a province. If their application is approved, it improves their IRCC application for permanent resident status.
A candidate can be chosen from the Express Entry pool of candidates (referred to as a “enhanced nomination”), or they can apply directly to a province government for a nomination (referred to as a “base nomination”).
A PNP applicant will gain an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points through enhanced nomination, essentially assuring their selection in an upcoming Express Entry draw.
Some PNP streams resemble the new category-based Express Entry drawings. For example, British Columbia nominates people with a healthcare career every week and holds regular drawings for those with a tech occupation. Other provinces offer specific streams that target individuals who have work experience or are working in a high-demand occupation in a provincial workforce.
Why should I accept a PNP nomination if I am qualified for category-based selection?
Even if you are in the Express Entry pool and work in one of the new employment categories, the 600 CRS points from a PNP nomination can still be beneficial.
IRCC has not stated that all-program or even program-specific draws for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or PNP candidates with Express Entry profiles will be discontinued. In fact, since the implementation of category-based selection in May, the majority of candidates have been invited to all-program draws.
The key deciding element in an all-program draw is a candidate’s CRS score, so having the highest possible CRS score is advantageous.
This is still true for Express Entry category-based selection. While these scores are often lower than an all-program draw, attaining the minimum score gives you an edge.
Is there a reason to refuse a provincial nomination?
Candidates with a very high CRS score may decide that accepting a provincial nomination is not in their best interests.
This is especially important because, even if you receive an upgraded nomination, the PNP requires a distinct process from Express Entry.
If you receive an Express Entry ITA that is not linked with the PNP, you simply need to submit one application and pay one fee to IRCC to be granted for permanent residence. The majority of applicants are subject to a six-month or shorter processing standard.
If you obtain an upgraded nomination, you must first apply and pay any necessary fees to the province that nominated you. You are also subject to the processing standard established by the province. Once approved, you submit your permanent residence application to IRCC, along with the associated cost, and you are subject to the six-month processing period.
This means that getting an upgraded nomination may lengthen your immigration journey as you await a verdict on your nomination. It may also be more expensive to submit both applications, depending on which province nominates you. Although some jurisdictions do not impose an application fee, the majority do.
PNP application fee examples
Nova Scotia is one jurisdiction that does not charge PNP candidates. The province has various streams that target applicants with work experience in in-demand occupations, particularly those in healthcare, such as the Labour Market Priorities Stream for physicians.
The most populous province for immigration, Ontario, does charge applicants to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), and the fee varies by program. The Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate, and Employer Job Offer: International Student streams, for example, each demand a fee of $1,500.
Application fees in British Columbia vary according to program. They range from $1,475 for skilled immigration applications to $3,500 for entrepreneur or strategic project streams. All online applications in Alberta are subject to a $500 fee.
The benefit depends on your situation
At the end of the day, a candidate’s decision to ask for or accept a provincial nomination is heavily influenced by their personal circumstances. A PNP nomination can increase your chances of receiving an ITA in an Express Entry draw, including a category-based lottery, and provide you with a highly competitive CRS score. However, if your CRS score is already high and you are short on time or money, it may be best to wait until IRCC provides an ITA.
