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If you choose to immigrate to Canada through one of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams then make sure you meet the labour requirements of the province of your choice.

Most provinces in Canada, except for Quebec and Nunavut, have their personalised PNP-specific streams. Each pathway is customised to meet the unique needs of each province and is targeted for a specific category of immigrants. There are almost 80 unique streams across the provinces and territories involved in the PNP, apart from Quebec and Federal immigration streams. Initially, anyone can apply for the Canada PR through PNP streams, be they unskilled, skilled. International students or entrepreneurs.

No Province is Easiest to Immigrate to

It is a common misconception among aspiring immigrants that some provinces in Canada are "easier" to immigrate to than others. Remember, there is no easy way to obtain a Canada PR visa than to prove your eligibility for immigration.

A nomination from any province is highly based on your profile. Each province participating in PNP targets overseas workers who meet the needs of its labour market. Moreover, it also depends on the situation, as well as the experience and skills you can offer when it comes to uplift the local labour market.

PNP Through Express Entry

If you apply through the PNP stream of Canada Express Entry system, you can earn an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. If you successfully earn these additional CRS scores, you will receive an invitation from the Federal Government of Canada to apply for Canada permanent residence.

Provinces Participating in the PNP

The eleven provinces or territories participating in the PNP stream are:

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

You can apply for a Canada PR visa in any of the above-mentioned provinces or territory in Canada. The success in getting your visa approved highly depends on the numerous situations you are in at the time of application.

Suppose you are an aspiring immigrant and:

You don't have an employment offer

• You can apply to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) one of the most popular options among those who do not have a job offer. This stream has three Express Entry-linked categories which do not require a candidate to have a job offer before applying. You only need to make an Express Entry profile and have the relevant experience to be invited to apply to this stream.
 
• For foreign candidates without a job offer is the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is another option. The Foreign Skilled Worker Group of Saskatchewan has two very prominent sources that do not need offers of jobs. The Saskatchewan Express Entry-linked immigration stream requires a candidate to have an operational profile in the Express Entry system to apply.
 
• The second, which does not have this requirement, is the Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand stream. It brings in professional employees who are willing to fulfil Saskatchewan's labour needs. An applicant must have at least one year of job experience in one of the job profiles listed on Saskatchewan's In-Demand Occupations List to apply.
 
• Lastly, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), Canada's one of the most creative and comprehensive provincial nominee initiatives. For selecting the right Express Entry candidates, the NSNP utilizes four streams. The NSNP search the Express Entry pool and choose the candidates in particular professions with work experience. While a job offer is needed by the Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream, the Nova Scotia Demand; Nova Scotia Experience; and Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities (other than Physicians) do not require job offers for applicants.

You are Fluent in French

Francophone or bilingual applicants are generally called upon by Quebec and other French-speaking provinces in Canada. The Express Entry linked OINP stream looks for the candidates with French-speaking skills as well as strong English language skills among other criteria.

You are from a technical field

The provinces of Ontario and British Columbia run two of the most notable PNP routes for technology workers.

In the Ontario Express Entry-linked Human Capital Priority Stream, Ontario regularly conducts dedicated "Tech draws". These draw target candidates who have relevant work experience in one of six specified technology professions, such as computer engineers and web designers. No employment offer is necessary for this stream.

Meanwhile, British Columbia's Tech Pilot chooses immigration candidates, on weekly basis, to apply for a provincial nomination. An eligibility prerequisite for the pilot is an employment offer in one of the 29 specified technology occupations.

You have a working experience in one of the provinces or territories

Many of the PNPs have streams that support individuals with expertise in the province or territory. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas streams both consider candidates who have served in Manitoba. It also has three different sub-streams for applicants who studied or graduated from Manitoba post-secondary institutions within its International Education stream.

Why are PNPs the best way to obtain a Canada PR visa?

Canada's provincial Nominee and Express Entry program are expected to play increasingly influential roles in immigration levels planned for Canada between now and 2021.

Despite the temporary travel restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic in Canada, most PNPs are still conducting invitation rounds. Candidates who want to consider immigrating to Canada will benefit from the review of all potential program and route choices. Choices abound and exist to fit the varied circumstances and unique history of each applicant.