What is the Canadian PNP program

What is the Canadian PNP program?

 Canada PNP program is a great alternative to a Canadian Federal skilled worker visa (PR).

The provincial nominee programs are helpful to:

1. Candidates who cannot meet the minimum criteria to qualify for the PR visa of Canada.
2. Applicants who cannot score enough (CRS) to receive an invitation to apply in the Express Entry Pool to proceed for the final stage.

The Canadian PNP program allows the provincial government to select the immigrants they need for the province or territory. It also offers applicants the opportunity to become permanent residents.

With a suitable Provincial nomination, you have more chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA). When you receive the ITA, you can apply for a Permanent Residency visa.

Eligibility

To apply as a provincial nominee, you must:

• meet the minimum requirements of one of the province or territory’s non-Express Entry streams
• be nominated under that stream

Application Process for Canada Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

You can apply for the Canada Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in two ways. The ways are –

1. Express Entry system
2. Non- Express Entry system (paper-based application)

The Express Entry system can be classified in two ways –

• The candidates make an Express Entry profile.
• After the submission of necessary documents, they reach the Express Entry pool.
• Thereafter, the different territories and provinces look for suitable applicants.
• The applicants picked by the different PNPs get the NOI (Notification of Interest).
• Now, the candidates can submit the EOI (Expression of Interest) to the Express Entry stream.

Or

• The candidate checks for a suitable PNP and applies for the nomination.
• If the territory or province agrees for the nomination, the applicants can create the Express Entry profile.
• There, they can show that they have the provincial nomination.
• Non- Express Entry system (paper-based application) –
• Select an appropriate province based on the eligibility criteria.
• Submit the EOI (Expression of Interest) under the non-Express Entry stream.
• The application will be evaluated based on the points system of the specific province or territory.
• Upon selection, the applicants receive a nomination letter.
• After this, the candidates must submit a paper application for a Permanent Residency visa to the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada).

Cost

The PNP costs depend on the respective program. The provincial application fee structure is given in the table below.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) costs $ 812. The following is the cost breakdown:

• Primary applicant: CAD 785
• Spouse or Partner: CAD 168
• Dependent Child: CAD 168

Processing Time

The time taken to process the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) depends on the application process.

If you have applied under the Non- Express Entry system, then it will take 1-2 years. But if you have applied under the Express Entry system, then the time taken is around six months.