Canada Provincial Nominee Program
Who it's for: Skilled workers who want permanent residence in a particular province or territory and fit one of its nominee streams.
Information, not immigration advice. This page summarises what the government publishes. Confirm every figure on the official page before you pay or apply.
Last checked 29 Oct 2026
Requirements at a glance
- A nomination from a province or territory first; each runs its own streams, intakes and rules
- Express Entry ("enhanced") nominations add 600 CRS points to your Express Entry score
- Base (paper) nominations are for people who fit a provincial stream but not a federal Express Entry program
- IRCC fees of CA$1,590 for the main applicant (processing plus right of permanent residence)
- Many streams need a job offer from an employer in the province; some invite people from the Express Entry pool
- Provincial application fees are separate, for example CA$1,750 in British Columbia
Figures and costs
| Item | Amount | In your currency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main applicant (processing + right of PR) | CA$1,590 | — | ircc.canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
| Spouse or partner | CA$1,590 | — | ircc.canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
| Per dependent child | CA$270 | — | ircc.canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
| Right of permanent residence fee | CA$600 | — | ircc.canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
| Biometrics, one person | CA$85 | — | ircc.canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
| Biometrics, family maximum | CA$170 | — | ircc.canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
| CRS points added by an Express Entry nomination | 600 points | canada.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 | |
| Example: B.C. PNP application fee | CA$1,750 | — | welcomebc.caOfficial · 29 Oct 2026 |
Figures marked check come from secondary sources or could not be confirmed on an official page.
How the route works
You first apply to a province or territory under one of its streams. If it nominates you, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence: through Express Entry for an enhanced nomination, or with a paper application for a base nomination. IRCC makes the final decision.
Main streams for people outside Canada (October 2026)
- Ontario: the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which needs a qualifying job offer. Ontario says all its other streams are now closed.
- British Columbia: Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams, both with a job offer and an Express Entry option.
- Alberta: the Alberta Express Entry stream (invites from the pool) and the Alberta Opportunity Stream (for people living and working in Alberta).
- Saskatchewan: International Skilled Worker streams: Employment Offer, Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry.
Manitoba and Nova Scotia also run nominee programs; their official sites couldn’t be checked when this page was written.
Common questions
Which province should I choose?
This site doesn't recommend a province. Each province publishes its own eligibility rules, and they change often. Read the official pages of the provinces where you could live and work.
Do I need a job offer?
It depends on the stream. For example, British Columbia's Skilled Worker stream and Ontario's Workforce Priority stream need a job offer, while Alberta's Express Entry stream can invite candidates from the Express Entry pool.
Is the PNP faster than Express Entry alone?
An Express Entry nomination adds 600 CRS points, which usually leads to an invitation in a later draw. Base nominations go through a separate, slower paper process. IRCC's processing-time tool has current figures.
The full Provincial Nominee Program guide
Step-by-step process, every cost for you and your family, document checklist, money rules, common refusal reasons and official links. The same guide for every buyer, dated.
Other Canada routes
Before you pay anyone
- Nobody can guarantee a visa. Only the government of the country you apply to decides.
- UK employers must not charge you for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- German missions say you don't need an agent to get a visa appointment.
- Check any adviser or recruitment agent on an official register before you pay.