Each province/territory in Canada can nominate individuals who meet specific local labour market needs. You can apply to a Provincial Nominee Program either:
- Directly through the province, or
- Via Express Entry with a provincial nomination
Popular PNP streams include:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- British Columbia PNP (BC PNP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Manitoba PNP (MPNP)
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
What you get with the visa subclass 491
Your application options depend on the Provincial Nominee Program you select. The application process may either be paper-based or online through the Express Entry process.
Paper-based process
- Apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream.
- Meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you.
- Once nominated, submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- Clear a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Every candidate must have these checks, no matter where you plan to live in Canada.
The application processing period is longer than through the online Express Entry process.
Online Express Entry process
This application process can be done in two ways:
- Contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.
- If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, create an Express Entry profile and show you have been nominated.
OR
- Create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories you’re interested in.
- If a province or territory sends a “notification of interest” to your account, you may connect with them directly.
- Apply to their Express Entry stream:
- If you’re nominated, the province will offer it to you through your account, and you may accept it electronically.
Be it a nomination or notification of interest, you must:
- meet the eligibility requirements of the province or territory.
- submit an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including your eligibility for one of the immigration programs it covers.
- And, if you are invited to apply, you may submit an electronic application to IRCC.
If you need assistance in selecting a province to live in Canada or your eligibility criteria, kindly contact our Canadian immigration consultant in Canada. Our expert consultant can help you apply for a suitable program specific to your application.