About the Provincial Nomination Programs
The Canadian government has worked out an agreement in which the local provinces can nominate immigrants wishing to settle in their locality. In order to obtain a visa via the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), you must first choose the province where you wish to live and go through its nomination process. The province will then consider your application based on its immigration needs and your genuine intention to settle there. The following provinces and territories are included under the PNP:
The Province of Quebec does not participate in the PNP. Their point system is also different to that used for the other visas offered to the rest of Canada.
Depending upon the profession, applicants may need to take a language test. The minimum standard for the Canadian Language Benchmark is 4 in each of these four categories: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Provincial Nomination Program categories include: Skilled Worker (professional); Business Immigration; International Graduate; Family; Semi-Skilled Worker; Farmer; Strategic Recruitment; and Community. Each province or territory offers a different selection of these programs and also chooses their own criterion for each program category to suit the specific employment needs of the locality. If you are looking for work in Canada, click here for more information about various employment options available.
Medical Exams A medical exam is required. This includes the main applicant along with any dependents (even if they are not coming to Canada). It should be noted that if an applicant's health endangers public health or safety or causes excessive demand on health or social services in Canada, the visa will be denied.
Police Certificate The Visa office requires that you and any family member, 18 and older, to provide a police certificate. Someone with a past criminal record or who poses a security risk can be denied the visa.
Process
Before you are able to submit an application to immigrate to Canada, you must receive a provincial nomination certificate from the province or territory. Once you have been nominated, you will need to make a separate application to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to receive a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa. Processing times for each visa vary.
Decisions regarding a PNP application are based on:
- Meeting the eligibility criteria
- Sufficient funds to support yourself and your family in Canada
- Results of your medical exam
- Information on your police certificate
CIC may contact you if they need more information or to possibly schedule a personal interview.
If your application is approved, you will be asked to submit your passport to the visa office in order to receive your permanent resident visa.
NOTE: On January 1, 2015, the Canadian government launched its new "Express Entry" system for immigration to Canada. Although the Express Entry immigration system was created to more efficiently select skilled foreign workers for certain "economic immigration" programs (i.e., Federal Skilled Workers Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class Program), the Provincial Nominees Program (PNP) is also affected by Express Entry. Starting in 2015, Canadian provincial and territorial governments will be able to review the profiles of skilled foreign workers who have registered with Canada's Job Bank and may "nominate" many of them for Canadian immigration through the Provincial Nominees Program (PNP). To learn more about the Express Entry Canadian immigration system, click here!
Arranged Employment Visa
Please note that if you already have arranged employment in Canada, our authorized immigration consultants who we collaborate with will be able to personally tailor the best solution for your visa requirements. You will be able to apply through the federal skilled worker visa, or the provincial visa program. Arranged employment will gain you extra points within these programs, plus you may have the option to apply for Canadian immigration through the new "Express Entry" system.
DISCLAIMER: This guide is not and shall not be considered as professional or expert advice.
