
Under a shared jurisdiction between Ottawa and the provinces, Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.
Through a network of Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities. This is an important component of all provincial programs.
Many provinces also run their own categories under the Canada Express Entry System. As a result, the provinces have an increasing role in the selection of economic immigrants.
Choose a province to learn more about Provincial Nominee Programs
In some instances, candidates who do not qualify under one of the federal programs may qualify for admission to Canada under a PNP. Some candidates may also qualify for a temporary work permit in the interim, allowing for early entry to Canada for the applicant and their accompanying dependants.
Many of the large provincial programs face problems with processing delays. Canada attracts considerable interest from potential new immigrants, far surpassing the processing capacity of immigration programs.
The Canada Express Entry system has successfully tackled processing delays, while many of the provinces are now choosing to open and close their popular streams periodically throughout the year to avoid large backlogs.
The importance of sponsoring employers
Under some provincial programs, candidates are nominated by a prospective employer and, once approved by the province, are subject to an expedited process. In the initial stages, applicants can receive temporary, renewable work permits to enter Canada while they are being processed for permanent residence.
The skilled worker-based provincial programs, with the exception of Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, generally require an employer to sponsor the applicant for admission to Canada. Without a government-approved employer sponsorship, the application will either not be approved, or will be routinely passed over in favour of applications with an employer sponsored approval.
Sponsoring employers under most provincial programs must demonstrate sufficient efforts to hire local Canadians and offer competitive terms and conditions of employment that are relevant to a particular occupation. Between provinces, variations exist in the terms and conditions of employment to qualify to sponsor a foreign worker.
To qualify as a sponsored employee, the position being filled must generally conform to a National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or level A, B; or alternatively, must meet the terms of a particular pilot project designed for a specific critical skill shortage identified by the province.
Pilot programs within the provinces are designed for low skilled workers and are limited in scope. Most of the provinces have variations of pilot projects for low skilled occupations.
Latest Provincial Immigration News
Nova Scotia immigration has targeted financial officers in a new draw through the province’s Express Entry-linked Labour Market Priorities stream....
Read More
Prince Edward Island has published its anticipated 2021 draw dates for its Expression of Interest system, with the first expected...
Read More
Manitoba immigration has issued 272 Letters of Advice to Apply to skilled workers and international graduates in the latest draw...
Read More
Ontario immigration has conducted a new draw through the Express Entry-linked French Speaking Skilled Worker stream. The January 13 Ontario...
Read More
Ontario immigration has issued 338 Notifications of Interest in its first draw of 2021 through the Express Entry Skilled Trades...
Read More
British Columbia immigration has issued 80 invitations to skilled workers and international graduates in a new BC PNP Tech Pilot...
Read More
Quebec’s immigration department has lifted its suspension of applications to 10 specific learning institutions for the Foreign Student Program, following...
Read More
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) applications can be submitted online via the Arrima platform as of Tuesday January 12, the Quebec...
Read More
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced a new department of advanced education, skills and immigration this month as part of the...
Read More
An economic development commission in northern Ontario is reportedly seeing great success with an immigration program launched only a little...
Read More
Saskatchewan immigration has conducted its first Expression of Interest draw of 2021, with the province issuing 385 invitations across two...
Read More
British Columbia immigration has conducted its first provincial draw of 2021, issuing 168 invitations to apply with certain jobs excluded...
Read More
Fuelled by immigration, Nova Scotia’s population hit an all-time high in 2020 as the province approved a record number of...
Read More
Quebec has temporarily suspended the receipt and processing of study permit applications for 10 specific learning institutions through the Foreign...
Read More
Manitoba immigration has issued 188 Letters of Advice to Apply to skilled workers and international graduates in the latest draw...
Read More
British Columbia immigration has issued 58 invitations to skilled workers and international graduates in a new BC PNP Tech Pilot...
Read More
Newfoundland and Labrador is planning to issue up to 350 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence under the Atlantic...
Read More
Canada and the rest of the world endured a year like no other in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic,...
Read More
British Columbia immigration has conducted a new provincial draw, issuing 230 invitations to apply with certain jobs excluded due to...
Read More
Newfoundland and Labrador put out a call for proposals Monday to beef up the services it offers immigrants to the...
Read More
Alberta immigration has reached its self-imposed nomination limit for 2020 under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). The province says...
Read More