The PNP plays a crucial role in addressing the specific labor market needs and economic priorities of individual provinces and territories in Canada.

The PNP offers various pathways for individuals who meet the specific eligibility criteria of a particular province or territory to obtain a provincial nomination. Once nominated, candidates receive additional points in the Express Entry system, significantly enhancing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

The allocation of nomination spots to provinces and territories has increased in recent years, indicating the importance and focus placed on the PNP within Canada’s immigration strategy. This demonstrates the commitment of the federal government to work collaboratively with provinces and territories to attract and retain skilled immigrants who can contribute to the local economies.

The specific conditions, processes, and points calculation methods vary among the different provincial and territorial programs. Each province or territory has its own unique streams and categories tailored to their specific needs. These programs may target skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, or individuals with connections to the province.

While the PNP and Express Entry is separate programs, they are integrated in the sense that some provinces have established streams that align with the Express Entry system. These streams are known as Enhanced Nomination Streams or Express Entry-aligned streams.

Through the Express Entry-aligned streams, provinces can select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool and issue them a provincial nomination. When a candidate receives a provincial nomination, they receive an additional 600 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points, which significantly increases their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada.

To be considered for the Express Entry-aligned streams of a specific province, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile and meet the eligibility requirements of at least one of the federal economic immigration programs. Once the profile is created and they enter the Express Entry pool, they can indicate their interest in a particular province or territory.

Provinces and territories can then review the Express Entry pool and issue Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who meet their specific criteria. If a candidate receives an NOI, they can then apply to the respective province or territory’s Express Entry-aligned stream. If their application is successful, they will receive a provincial nomination, which significantly boosts their CRS score.

It’s important to note that not all provinces have Express Entry-aligned streams. Some provinces have their separate application processes through the regular PNP streams, where candidates apply directly to the province without going through the Express Entry system.

The main goal of provinces through their provincial selection programs is to attract and nominate skilled immigrants who can contribute to the economic growth and development of the specific province. 

The provinces aim to select individuals who have the desire and ability to successfully settle and integrate into the social and economic fabric of their province. The specific conditions and criteria set by the provinces may vary, but they generally focus on factors such as: