Provincial Nominee Program
Most provinces and territories in Canada are allowed to nominate immigrants who want to settle there.
The Provincial Nominee Program is also designed to aid employers who are having difficulty recruiting qualified, skilled workers. Typically employers will first try to hire local residents, failing which they can apply for qualified workers from abroad or even international students. However, applications are not likely to be approved for occupations or categories where there is a surplus of employees locally, or where there may not be much of demand or prospects for a particular occupation.
Two-step process for Provincial Nominee Program
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Apply to the province or territory where you want to live. Please note the criteria vary and can change without notice and varies from Province to Province.
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After being nominated by a Province, you must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. General immigration rules will be applied in assessing your application and eligibility.
The Provincial Nominee Program varies from Province to Province &
the rules are subject to change at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What categories are considered for a Provincial Nominee Program?
Typically the areas which a Provincial Nominee Program will consider are:
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Skilled workers and/or semi-skilled workers
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Business/investors
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International student graduates
Will my employer be responsible for my expenses?
No, the applicant must demonstrate they have the requisite funds.
Is there a special employment rate for Provincial Nominees?
No, the wage the employer intends to pay must be at the market rate.
What are the processing times for a Provincial Nominee application?
The processing time is generally within 16 months.