Canada Provincial Nomination Programmes

Immigrating to Canada has many benefits because you also have a choice of provinces to choose from and are not limited to one province. An applicant can enter Canada through a variety of work and business visas which provide routes to legal permanent residence and the possibility of applying for Canadian citizenship. Relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents also qualify to permanently immigrate to Canada. Several Canadian provinces also offer Provincial Nomination Programs, also known as the Provincial Nominee Programmes, which provide applicants with an alternative route to permanent residency in Canada on the condition that the candidate will live and work in Canada in the sponsoring province. Applicants who apply under the Provincial nomination Program are expected to work and live in that province as the province will become the applicant's main sponsor.

Benefits of Provincial Canadian Immigration

Many people opt for a Provincial Nomination scheme visa as in some cases it provides a quicker route to Canadian immigration and gives the holder the option to apply for Canadian citizenship. The benefits of this visa scheme are that successful applicants can enjoy the same benefits as those who hold a visa under the Federal Skilled Worker Programme or the Canadian Business Immigration Program. If the application becomes successful the applicant will be able to live and work in Canada and will be granted permanent residency. There are certain factors that are taken into account when an applicant is being assessed they include age, education qualification and crucially, adaptability, no points system such as that employed in the Federal Skilled Worked Programme is used. Candidates do not have to meet a minimum points entrance as part of this assessment however the applicants suitability to relocate to the province in question will be carefully assessed.

Understanding Provincial Nomination Programmes

Not all Canadian Provinces offer Provincial Nomination schemes. The majority of Canada's provinces have arrangements with the Federal Government which enables them to make a direct contribution to the immigration process. Provincial Nominee Programmes give some power to the provinces to influence which candidates are permitted to settle in the province.

Candidates need to go through three stages when applying under this visa scheme. The first stage requires applicants to have an authentic offer of employment from a Canadian company based in the province based in the province to which the applicant intends to immigrate. Secondly, any offer of employment must be approved by the relevant provincial government and the application will be assessed against the immigration need of the particular province. Applicants will also need to establish a strong case for themselves as they will be assessed on their genuine interest to live and work in the province.

If an applicant's submission is successful, then the third stage is reached with the receipt of a nomination from the specified province. Once this has been achieved, the applicant can proceed to complete a separate application for Permanent Residency Status with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Living and Working in Canada under a PNP

The Provincial Nominee Programmes are intended as one of the routes to permanent residency in Canada. One may compare them to Canadians work permits in that restrictions are imposed upon where the visa holder is permitted to work. Just as the Canadian work permit allows its holder to work for that specified company only, a Provincial Nomination requires the candidate to live and work only in the sponsoring province, not in Canada per se. A non-Canadian national residing in Canada through a PNP may only work outside their sponsoring province if and when they successfully apply to become a Canadian citizen.

Canadian Provinces Offering Provincial Nomination Programmes

As abovementioned, not all Canadian Provinces offer Provincial Nominee Programmes. Presently, the following provinces have schemes already in place.

  • Alberta
  • Manitoba
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Yukon
  • British Columbia
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Saskatchewan

Spouse Immigration and Dependent Immigration

The Provincial Nominee Programmes are intended for people who wish to migrate to Canada on a permanent basis. The spouse, common law partner, conjugal partner and/or dependent children are also entitled to accompany the main applicant under this visa scheme. Each province provides its own criteria regarding dependents and other requirements needed upon application within the province. To find out more about this scheme and how to apply, you can contact us at www.globalvisas.com and one of our immigration consultants will be able to advise you on the requirements of your sponsoring province.

At Global Visas we specialise in Canadian immigration and we are committed to making sure that you apply for the right Canadian visa that is suitable for you and your specific needs. To find out how we can help you visit our online assessment area today to find out whether you qualify and to set your application for a new life in Canada in motion.