Canada Provincial Visas
Several Canadian Provinces offer Provincial Nomination Programme or PNPs which provide a route for permanent immigration to Canada based on living and working in the sponsoring province. Provincial Nomination Programmes are sometimes referred to as Provincial Nominee Programmes and can often prove a quicker route to permanent residency in Canada. Unlike Canadian business visas and the Skilled Migrant Programme no points based assessment is required.
As specialists in Canadian immigration services, Global Visas assist with the full range of Canadian visas from short term visit visas through to work permits, study visas and applications for permanent residency and citizenship. To begin your application today just take a few moments to fill out one of our online assessment forms and a Global Visas Canadian visa specialist will respond to your enquiry.
Why Apply for a Provincial Nomination Programme?
PNPs can provide a quicker route to permanent immigration to Canada since processing times are generally quicker than applications for the Federal skilled worker visa or the Quebec skilled worker visa. Another key benefit is that no points based assessment needs to be undertaken. The assessment criteria for PNPs will focus on the same key areas as a skilled worker visa, including the candidates age, experience, qualifications and their ability to adapt to living and working in Canada, however no minimum points threshold needs to be obtained. Successful PNP applicants do not need to make an investment or commit to creating jobs in Canada. However, it is essential to note that as part of the qualifying criteria, candidates must be able to show a genuine desire and intention to settle in their sponsoring province.
Applying For a Provincial Nomination Programme
The principle behind the PNP system is that the individual participating provinces have the ability to influence the choice of candidates who are allowed to settle in the province. Although not all Provinces employ PNPs the majority have PNP agreements in place with the Federal Government which allow them to contribute directly to the immigration of skilled workers.
The PNP process occurs in three stages; firstly, like a Canadian work permit, the candidate must be in possession of a definite job offer from an approved Canadian employer. The company must be based within the province to which the candidate will be relocating and the second stage of the process is that all job offers must be assessed with regard to the individual needs of that province. At this stage candidates' applications will also be assessed to determine whether or not the applicant has a genuine desire and intention to settle in the province.
The third and final stage is for the candidate to submit an application for permanent residency status, which must be lodged with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
Requirements for Living and Working in Canada through a PNP
Although a successful Provincial Nomination Scheme application is expressly intended as a means to permanent lawful residence in Canada, a PNP requires the candidate to live and work in the specific province which is sponsoring their application. PNPs do not provide the opportunity to immigrate to Canada and seek employment in any Canadian province and a successful applicant will be obliged to remain in their sponsoring province until such time as they successfully apply for Canadian citizenship. However, unlike a Canadian work permit, the candidate is restricted only to the state in which they may work and candidates are permitted to work for any employer they wish within the sponsoring state.
Provincial Nomination Programmes – Which States offer PNPs?
At present nine Canadian provinces offer Provincial Nomination Programmes. These are Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. The requirements outlined above should be taken as a general guide to PNPs and candidates should be aware that the exact requirements will vary between provinces. Your Global Visas Canadian immigration consultant will be able to advise you of the specific criteria for your chosen province.
Spouse and Dependent Immigration
Provincial Nomination Programmes are intended for those wishing to immigrate to Canada on a permanent basis and as a result PNPs make provision for the spouse or partner and/or dependent children of the principle applicant to relocate to Canada as well. However, once again the exact stipulations with regard to the visa status of dependents will vary between provinces.
To find out more about Provincial Nomination Programmes and to set your application in motion visit the Global Visas online assessment area today.
