Provincial Nominee Programs: choose a province and route

Compare base and enhanced PNP streams by province need, occupation, job offer, connection, nomination process, federal application, and genuine settlement plan.

Updated August 12, 2026

Build your application plan

Route types: 2
Enhanced nomination: +600 CRS
Nomination response: 30 days
Final decision: Federal

Province-route matrix: base stream or enhanced stream

Provincial Nominee Programs let provinces and territories nominate people who fit local economic and settlement priorities. Each stream opens, closes, targets, ranks, or invites candidates under its own rules. A base stream leads to a non-Express Entry federal permanent residence application. An enhanced stream connects to Express Entry and can add 600 CRS points after the nomination is accepted.

PNP base and enhanced route matrix
Route	Province stage	Federal stage	Best fit	Critical obligation
Enhanced stream	Province nominates a candidate connected to Express Entry	Invitation and Express Entry e-APR after accepting the nomination	Eligible for CEC, FSWP, or FSTP and a province's enhanced criteria	Accept in 30 days; a valid nomination adds 600 CRS points
Base stream	Province nominates under a non-Express Entry stream	Non-Express Entry PR application to IRCC	Fits a provincial stream but not necessarily an Express Entry program	Follow nomination validity, job conditions, and federal checklist
Employer-led	Employer eligibility, job, wage, location, and worker fit drive the stream	Federal admissibility and PR assessment remain	A genuine local job supports the provincial need	Do not change job or employer without checking reporting and nomination impact
Human-capital or targeted	EOI score, occupation, language, education, connection, or invitation can drive selection	Route depends on whether the stream is enhanced or base	Profile matches a current provincial priority	intent to reside must remain credible and evidenced

There is no single PNP score or nationwide occupation list. Build a spreadsheet using only official provincial pages: stream status, last update, EOI rule, job offer, employer form, NOC, wage, licence, language, education, experience, funds, current status, fee, nomination validity, and change-reporting rule. Recheck it on the day you register and the day you apply.

Application path from eligibility to status

Follow the legal stages in order. A profile, nomination, invitation, approval letter, visa, permit, and permanent resident status are different milestones.

01
Fit
Choose the province before the stream
Build a real plan around work, licensing, family, language, housing, climate, and community. A nomination carries an intention to live in the nominating province or territory.
02
Stream
Match a live stream
Check occupation, job-offer, employer, wage, work experience, education, language, status, settlement funds, and provincial connection on the official program page.
03
Interest
Register an expression of interest when required
An EOI is not an application. Provinces can score profiles, target occupations, set invitation thresholds, and issue limited invitations.
04
Province
Submit the nomination application
Use the correct document checklist and show that the job, employer, experience, funds, status, and settlement plan meet the stream rules.
05
Nomination
Accept the certificate and protect its conditions
Enhanced candidates accept through Express Entry within the message deadline. Base candidates follow the province's certificate and federal instructions.
06
Federal
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
IRCC checks program eligibility, medical, criminal, security, family, document, and misrepresentation issues. A provincial nomination is not final PR approval.
07
Settlement
Maintain a credible provincial plan
Report job, employer, status, family, or address changes to the authorities that require them and prepare to establish in the nominating province.

Genuine provincial settlement plan

Economic fit

Name target employers, licensing steps, wage range, language supports, transportation, and backup occupations. Show why the local labour market fits the applicant rather than repeating provincial marketing.

Household fit

Connect housing costs, schools, health access, spouse work, relatives, prior visits, community services, climate, and funds to the intended city or region. Keep later changes honest and documented.

Documents to build before the deadline

Core evidence file

Passport and current Canadian status documents
Language test accepted by the specific stream
Education records and ECA where required
Employer offer, employment form, contract, and wage evidence
Work-reference letters and proof of licensed experience
Settlement-fund evidence for the required period
Provincial connection and settlement-plan evidence
Express Entry profile and job-seeker codes for an enhanced route
Civil records, police certificates, medicals, and translations for the federal stage

Use the current official checklist for the exact program, country, family composition, and submission method. Scan full documents in colour, include both sides, preserve original-language records, add certified translations where required, and name files so the officer can understand them without guessing. Never alter a record to make it fit a claim.