The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) empowers Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals seeking immigration to Canada and aiming to settle in a specific province. Exceptions include Nunavut in Northern Canada and Quebec, which holds authority over its selection criteria for economic immigration.

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The primary objective of the PNP is to evenly distribute the advantages of immigration across Canada. Before its launch in 1998, most immigrants concentrated in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Post-1998, the PNP has contributed to a more widespread immigration distribution, particularly benefiting the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) and Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).

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Each PNP incorporates at least one immigration stream aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

These Express Entry-aligned streams issue 'enhanced nominations,' providing a significant advantage to candidates by granting an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

 

This ensures a higher likelihood of receiving a permanent residence invitation under Express Entry, with the added benefit of faster federal processing, typically within six months. Alternatively, individuals can pursue permanent residence through the PNP via a 'base' stream.

 

In this process, applicants apply directly to a PNP stream and, upon obtaining a provincial nomination, the federal government processes their permanent residence application.