Canada· Canada
Canada Provincial Nominee Program: How PNPs Work in 2026
How Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs work: base vs Express Entry-linked nominations, province-by-province streams and which need a job offer.
Key takeaways
- A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points if it is Express Entry-linked, which almost guarantees an invitation.
- Base (non-Express Entry) nominations suit people who don't qualify for the federal programmes, but processing is slower.
- Most streams need a job offer or a strong link to the province; only a few accept people with no connection.
- Ontario closed all its old streams in June 2026, including its Express Entry streams.
- Quebec and Nunavut don't run PNPs.
In this guide8 sections
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) let Canadian provinces choose immigrants for the jobs and skills they need. A nomination can be the strongest boost available to an Express Entry profile. This guide explains how the system works and what each province is running now.
How PNPs work
Canada lets provinces and territories nominate people for permanent residence (PR). The province picks the candidate, then IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) does the security, medical and admissibility checks and makes the final decision.
Eleven jurisdictions run PNPs: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Quebec selects its own skilled workers and Nunavut has no PNP.
Each province has several streams. Streams target groups such as workers with job offers, local graduates, people in in-demand occupations or business owners.
Base vs enhanced nominations
There are two kinds of nomination, and the difference shapes your whole application.
| Enhanced (Express Entry-linked) | Base (non-Express Entry) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | People who qualify for FSW, CEC or FST | People who don't qualify for Express Entry |
| Effect | 600 extra CRS points | No CRS points; separate PR application |
| How you apply to IRCC | Through your Express Entry profile after an invitation | Directly to IRCC as a provincial nominee |
| Typical speed | Faster | Slower, per IRCC |
With 600 extra points, an enhanced nominee usually scores high enough to be invited in the next general round. That is why many people treat a PNP as a backup plan for a weak CRS score. Our Express Entry guide explains how the score is built.
Base streams matter for workers in jobs that don't qualify for Express Entry, such as some TEER 4 and 5 roles, or for people who don't meet federal language minimums.
Province-by-province streams (October 2026)
The table below summarises each province's main worker streams as listed on official sites. Programmes change often, so treat this as a map, not a rulebook.
| Province | Main worker streams | Express Entry-linked option | Job offer needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta (AAIP) | Alberta Opportunity, Alberta Express Entry, Rural Renewal, Tourism and Hospitality | Yes: Alberta Express Entry, with pathways for healthcare, tech and police | No for Alberta Express Entry; yes for the others |
| British Columbia (BC PNP) | Skills Immigration, with draws focused on care (health, childcare, veterinary), building (construction trades) and high economic impact jobs | Yes: Express Entry BC option for Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams | Generally yes |
| Saskatchewan (SINP) | International Skilled Worker (Employment Offer, Occupations In-Demand, Saskatchewan Express Entry), Worker with Saskatchewan Work Experience | Yes: Saskatchewan Express Entry | No for Occupations In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry; yes for Employment Offer |
| Manitoba (MPNP) | Skilled Worker in Manitoba, Skilled Worker Overseas, International Education | Check MPNP | Skilled Worker Overseas needs a Manitoba connection or a direct MPNP invitation |
| Ontario (OINP) | Ontario Workforce Priority (TEER 0 to 3, TEER 4 to 5 and self-employed physician pathways) | No: all Express Entry streams closed in June 2026 | Yes, except physicians |
| Nova Scotia (NSNP) | Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, Nova Scotia: Express Entry | Yes: Nova Scotia: Express Entry | Varies by stream |
| Newfoundland and Labrador (NLPNP) | Express Entry Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker, International Graduate | Yes: Express Entry Skilled Worker | Yes for both skilled worker categories |
| Prince Edward Island (PEI PNP) | Express Entry, plus employer-driven Labour Impact streams | Yes: PEI Express Entry | Not always for Express Entry; priority goes to people living and working in PEI |
| New Brunswick (NBPNP) | Skilled worker and Express Entry streams | Yes | Check the official site |
The Northwest Territories and Yukon run smaller, mostly employer-driven programmes. Check their official sites directly.
Recent changes worth knowing
- Ontario: In late June 2026, Ontario closed all eight of its previous streams, including Human Capital Priorities and its other Express Entry streams. The new Ontario Workforce Priority stream opened its EOI portal on 4 August 2026 and needs a job offer, except for self-employed physicians.
- British Columbia: BC restructured its Skills Immigration invitations in 2026 around care, building and high-impact jobs. Its old Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream is closed.
- Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia moved to an EOI system in November 2025, is consolidating its streams and began charging application fees from 1 September 2026.
Streams with and without a job offer
For someone in Nigeria with no Canadian ties, options are narrow. Most provinces want proof you will stay, and a job offer is the strongest proof.
Streams that don't require a job offer (as listed on official pages):
- Alberta Express Entry Stream (selection depends on Alberta's own priorities)
- Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry (minimum 60 points on the SINP grid, and your occupation must be eligible)
Streams that need a job offer or local connection include most of BC, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta's other streams. Manitoba's overseas pathway looks for family or friends in Manitoba, past study or work there, or a direct invitation through a Manitoba recruitment initiative.
Step by step: applying through a PNP
- Choose a province you would actually live in. Read its official programme pages, not summaries.
- Find a stream that fits. Match your occupation, TEER level, language score and connections against each stream's rules.
- Decide which track you're on. If you qualify for Express Entry, create your profile first so you can use an enhanced stream.
- Submit an EOI or application to the province. Many provinces rank EOIs and invite the highest scorers.
- Apply to the province after an invitation. Upload your documents and pay any provincial fee through the official portal.
- Receive your nomination. For enhanced streams, accept it in your Express Entry profile to get the 600 points.
- Apply to IRCC for PR. Enhanced nominees apply after an Express Entry invitation. Base nominees apply directly as provincial nominees.
- Complete medicals, biometrics and police certificates. IRCC makes the final decision.
Readiness checklist
- Language test result (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada)
- ECA for your degree, if the stream asks for one
- NOC code and TEER level confirmed for your occupation
- Reference letters matching that NOC's duties
- Proof of funds, where the stream requires it
- Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker validation code, for enhanced streams
- Evidence of any tie to the province (job offer, study, work or family)
- Nigerian Police Character Certificate, when IRCC asks
Choosing a province
Think beyond the nomination. Housing costs, job markets and climate vary a lot between provinces. Our guides to living and working in Manitoba and living and working in Calgary can help you compare. If you have a job offer on the East Coast, also look at the Atlantic Immigration Program, which runs alongside the PNPs there.
Bottom line
A PNP is often the most realistic route for people whose CRS score is too low for general draws. But streams open, close and change with little warning.
Check the province's official page on the day you apply, and be wary of anyone who promises a nomination.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a provincial nomination without a job offer?
Sometimes. Alberta's Express Entry stream and Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry categories don't require one. Most other streams need a job offer, Canadian study or work, or family in the province.
Do I have to pay a province to be nominated?
Some provinces charge an official application fee (Saskatchewan, for example, charges a non-refundable fee after an invitation, and Nova Scotia began charging from 1 September 2026). Pay only through the official provincial portal, never to an agent who promises a nomination.
Is a nomination the same as permanent residence?
No. A nomination lets you apply to IRCC for PR. IRCC still checks your medicals, police certificates and admissibility, and makes the final decision.
Can I move to another province after getting PR through a PNP?
Canada's Charter protects mobility rights for permanent residents, but you are nominated because you intend to live in that province. Provinces take that intention seriously, so apply only to a province where you genuinely plan to settle.
Does Ontario still invite people from the Express Entry pool?
Not as of October 2026. Ontario closed its Express Entry streams in June 2026 and replaced its programme with the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which needs a job offer.
Official sources
- IRCC: How the Provincial Nominee Program works
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria
- Ontario: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
- Ontario: 2026 OINP updates
- WelcomeBC: The BC Provincial Nominee Program
- WelcomeBC: BC PNP invitations to apply
- Alberta: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
- Saskatchewan: Browse SINP programs
- Saskatchewan: International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry
- Manitoba: Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
- Manitoba: Skilled Worker Overseas pathway
- Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Nominee Program
- Newfoundland and Labrador: NLPNP Express Entry Skilled Worker
- Prince Edward Island: PEI PNP Express Entry application guide
This guide is general information, not legal, immigration or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check the official sources before you act. We are not affiliated with any government agency, and we never charge for applications. Read our disclaimer.