The Canadian Immigration policy has a key aspect titled the ‘Provincial Nominee Program’ (PNP), which is labeled as one of the most speedily growing economic. Canadian Immigration trajectory. If you’re curious about this process, here’s all you need to know in a nutshell!

What is it?
The Provincial Nominee Program could be considered as a pathway to kickstart your fresh, new beginning in this North American country. One might abbreviate them as ‘mini-immigration’programs whereby the Canadian provinces decide your fate by shortlisting immigrants if they meet specific criteria and move on to nominate them to become permanent Canadian residents. Decisions solely lie in the hands of the Federal Government, hence these are only called ‘Nominations’. This way, once the Provinces nominate you, you could further apply to the Federal Government for your PR.

Who is it for?
The Canadian PNP is particularly for workers that meet all of the following criteria:

• possess the skills, educational background, and work experience so they could assist the economy of a certain territory or province
• wish to reside in said territory or province, and
• wish to attain permanent residency in Canada. (You’ll be a legal immigrant but not a Canadian citizen)

Now, the immigration programs targeting specific groups vary from province to province and are called ‘streams’. Let’s take an example for better understanding: In a particular program stream, territories and provinces may be on the lookout for either:

• Students
• Businesspersons
• Skilled Workers, or
• Semi-skilled Workers

How does the Application process work?
This is thoroughly dependent on the type of PNP stream you’re targeting. The two possible application methods include a Paper-based process or the Express Entryway (an online process). Now regardless of the province or territory you’re seeking permanent residency in, it’s mandatory to:

• pass a Medical Examination deeming you healthy, and
• obtain a Police Check (certificate)

What is the Paper-based Process?

Here are a few pointers you must keep in mind:

• You shall be applying via the non-Express Entry stream to your desired province or territory for Nomination.
• It’s mandatory to meet the eligibility requirements of the province in
  consideration.
• After you’ve received the Nomination, a paper application needs to be
  submitted to secure permanent residence to ‘Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.’
• As mentioned previously, passing your Medical Examination and procuring a Police Check certificate is a must, irrespective of your province/territory.
• The Paper-based process has a longer duration of Application Processing incomparison with the Express Entryway.

What is the Express Entry process?

This is an online procedure consisting of two ways:
[1] Directly contact your desired province/territory and apply for your Nomination under the Express Entry stream. Once the selected province/territory agrees to nominate you, you’ll need to establish an Express Entry profile (update your previously existing profile if you already had one) and display your Nomination.
OR
[2] Establish an Express Entry profile and declare your interest in being nominated by the Provinces or Territories. If your account happens to receive a ‘Notification of Interest’ from either of them, proceed to contact them directly. Apply to their Express Entry stream. (Once nominated, you’ll receive the offer in your Account through the province and you’ll have to accept it electronically.)The following rules need to be followed regardless of either of the above ways:

• It’s mandatory to meet the eligibility criteria of your desired
  province/territory, and

You’d have to submit an Express Entry profile displaying how you meet the
minimum eligibility criteria for Express Entry. This is inclusive of you being
eligible for one of the immigration programs it covers.

• If you receive an invitation to apply, it’s compulsory to submit an
  e-application to IRCC.

Which Provinces/Territories could you apply for?

In order to proceed with your application process, check out the websites for the following provinces and territories. You’ll need to follow the displayed instructions on their site and contact them directly.
Kindly note that the criteria for application by each of these provinces/territories could differ and change without prior notice.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon
  The only exception being the province of Quebec, which does not have its own PNP. You could check out its immigration site to gain further knowledge about offered programs.