Provincial Nominee Programs: selection by province and territory.

How provincial nomination works

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets participating provinces and territories choose economic immigrants. Each one runs its own streams, sets its own criteria and decides how many people it can nominate each year within the space the federal levels plan allows. A nominee must genuinely intend to live in the province or territory that nominates them.

Nomination is a two-stage process. The province or territory assesses its own stream and issues a nomination. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) then decides the permanent-residence application, including medical, criminality and security admissibility. A nomination on its own is not permanent residence and does not authorize work.

Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal target for provincial nominee admissions in 2026 is 91,500 (range 82,000 to 105,000). The 2027–2029 plan had not been tabled as of October 18, 2026.

Two federal routes: Express Entry and non-Express Entry

The province or territory tells you which federal process applies. IRCC calls the two routes "Express Entry" and "non-Express Entry". Many people also say "enhanced" and "base" nomination; those are informal industry terms, not IRCC's wording. Your nomination type decides the route; having an Express Entry profile does not turn a non-Express Entry nomination into an Express Entry one.

In 2026, IRCC has held separate Provincial Nominee Program rounds in Express Entry. For example, round #448 on October 13, 2026 invited 752 candidates with a lowest score of 772, and round #445 on September 28 invited 733 candidates with a lowest score of 725. IRCC has said invitation rounds will pause while all profiles are recalculated under the CRS changes taking effect on November 3, 2026.

Provincial and territorial programs

Each guide below explains that program's current streams, eligibility, selection method and status. Streams open, close and change during the year, so always check the date a guide was last reviewed.

Calculators

What provinces usually look at

• A genuine intention, and a realistic ability, to settle in the nominating province or territory.
• Occupation and NOC TEER category, work experience, education and official-language ability.
• A qualifying local job offer or current local employment, where the stream requires one.
• Local study, work, family or community connections, where the stream gives them weight.
• For employer-driven streams, the employer's eligibility, compliance and recruitment.
• Available nomination spaces and the province's current priorities, which often lead to targeted draws by occupation, sector or region.

Many provinces use an expression of interest (EOI) system: candidates register a profile, the province ranks or targets them and invites some to apply. An EOI is not an application, and a high score in one province's grid says nothing about another's.

From stream to permanent residence

1. Choose the province and streamStart from the province's current official criteria, not an old stream list or a past draw. Check whether the stream is open and how it selects candidates.
2. Get a nominationComplete any EOI, invitation and provincial application steps the stream requires. Some streams also need the employer to apply.
3. Express Entry routeIf the nomination is aligned with Express Entry, accept it in your profile within 30 days, wait for an invitation, then apply within 60 days.
4. Non-Express Entry routeIf it is a non-Express Entry nomination, apply for permanent residence through IRCC's non-Express Entry process before the nomination expires.
5. IRCC decidesIRCC checks eligibility, funds and admissibility, and may ask for biometrics, medical exams or more information before deciding.

Federal fees

For applications received on or after April 30, 2026, IRCC's fees for economic-class applications, including provincial nominees, are:

The right of permanent residence fee is paid when the application is approved (IRCC says you can pay it with your application fees to avoid delays). It is refunded if you withdraw or the application is refused. Provincial application fees are separate and vary by province and stream.

Important points

• A nomination is not permanent residence. IRCC still decides eligibility and admissibility.
• Accepting a nomination through Express Entry adds 600 CRS points. These points are awarded only once.
• Provinces may pause, reopen or target streams and change employer rules during the year.
• How long a nomination stays valid is set by each province and varies (for example, Ontario and Saskatchewan nomination certificates are valid for six months). Check the date on yours and apply to IRCC before it expires.
• On the Express Entry route you can hold only one nomination at a time. If the province withdraws it before you apply, IRCC says you must withdraw your profile and submit a new one. If you apply without a valid nomination, or it is withdrawn after you apply, IRCC will refuse the application and will not refund the fees. See our Express Entry PNP process guide before acting.
• A nominee must keep a genuine intention to live in the province or territory that nominated them and must tell IRCC if that changes or if the nomination is withdrawn.
• A nomination does not authorize work. Some nominees may be able to get a work permit, for example a bridging open work permit, while they wait.

Official sources

• IRCC: How the Provincial Nominee Program works
• IRCC: Provincial Nominee Program through Express Entry
• IRCC: Provincial Nominee Program outside Express Entry
• IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations
• IRCC: Fee list
• IRCC: 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
• Alberta: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
• British Columbia: About the BC PNP
• Manitoba: Immigrate to Manitoba
• Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
• Ontario: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
• New Brunswick: Provincial Nominee Program
• Nova Scotia: Live in Nova Scotia (official immigration site)
• Prince Edward Island: Immigrate to PEI as a worker
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Provincial Nominee Program overview
• Yukon: Immigrate to Yukon
• Northwest Territories: Immigrate here