Provincial Nominations Programs

  • Most of Canada's Provincial governments have entered into agreements with the Federal Immigration Department that allows them to select some of their own Immigrants. These are called Provincial Nomination Program's (PNP's). When a Province selects an immigrant they do so, they issue a Selection Certificate. The applicant can then apply to the Canadian Federal Visa Office for an Immigrant Visa without having to pass the Federal qualifications for the selection (the "Points System "). They only have to pass the medical and security checks. PNP applications can be much faster than normal processing times for Permanent Resident Applications.
  • Quebec has had a PNP since 1979 and even has its own Visa Offices overseas. The other Provinces have only been active in this field in the last five years.
  • Each Province has its own PNP and no two are the same. For example, Quebec and Manitoba have a Point system for worker immigrants similar to the Federal Point System but structured in a way that makes it easier to pass. For example Quebec gives high marks for French language ability, while Manitoba gives priority to people who are working or studying in Manitoba.
  • Each Province may have a separate program for Workers and for Business People.
  • Alberta is focused only on workers. BC has a PNP for workers if the worker has a job offer from an employer, and a PNP for business people if they are ready to invest immediately.

  • Skilled Workers

    The provinces use the PNP to attract and retain skilled workers in industries that need them. They are very concerned about retention. For that reason they tend to use their selection certificates only to nominate people who are already living, working and studying in their Province or who have job offers, or who have close family members living in that province.

  • Business People

    Only four Provinces actively use PNP's to attract business people.
  • Quebec uses the same definitions as the Federal Immigration Department.
  • Nova Scotia wants business people who speak English or French, who are under 60 and who have grade 12 education or equivalent. They must have a net worth of $300,000 and be ready to invest $125,000 in a local business in which they will work for at least six months for a salary of $20,000.
  • British Columbia provides opportunities for business immigration in three separate categories:
    1. Business Skills

      Applicants for nomination in the Business Skills category will be required to:

      • Make a personal investment of at least $400,000 CAD to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in B.C.
      • Create at least 3 new jobs in the business for Canadians or permanent residents.
      • Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of the business.
      • Provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business.
      • Demonstrate that they have:
        • The skills and experience necessary to establish and operate a commercially viable business in B.C.
        • A personal net worth of at least $800,000 CAD obtained from legal sources
        • Sufficient unencumbered personal funds to make the required investment
        • A viable business proposal
      • Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
      • Sign a Deposit Agreement with the Province of British Columbia, if they are seeking a Fast Track nomination.

      Principal applicants in the Business Skills category may include one foreign key staff person as a co-applicant for nomination, but must still create three jobs for Canadians or permanent residents.

      Applications will not be accepted from individuals who have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada, are in Canada illegally, are under a removal order in Canada, or are prohibited from entering Canada.

    2. Regional Business

      Applicants for nomination in the Regional Business category will be required to:

      • Make a personal investment of at least $200,000 CAD to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in B.C. outside of the Vancouver metropolitan area or the Abbotsford metropolitan area.
      • Create at least one new job in the business for a Canadian or permanent resident.
      • Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of the business.
      • Provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business.
      • Demonstrate that they have:
        • The skills and experience necessary to establish and operate a commercially viable business in B.C.
        • A personal net worth of at least $400,000 CAD obtained from legal sources
        • Sufficient unencumbered personal funds to make the required investment a viable business proposal.
      • Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
      • Sign a Deposit Agreement with the Province of British Columbia if they are seeking a Fast Track nomination.

      Applications in the regional business category are limited to principal applicants – there is no provision to include foreign key staff as co-applicants for nomination.

      Applications will not be accepted from individuals who have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada, are in Canada illegally, are under a removal order in Canada or are prohibited from entering Canada.

    3. Strategic Projects

      The Strategic Projects category assists foreign-controlled companies establishing an eligible business in B.C. with the timely entry of foreign key managerial, professional or technical staff, up to a maximum of 5 per company, who intend to become permanent residents of Canada and settle in B.C.

      Companies applying in this category will be required to:

      • Make a minimum equity investment of $500,000.
      • Create at least three jobs for Canadians or permanent residents in B.C. for each nominee applicant put forward by the company.
      • Demonstrate a record of good business practices and successful business operations outside of Canada that are relevant to the proposed business.
      • Establish or purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in B.C.
      • Incorporate a Canadian subsidiary or register an extra-provincial company in B.C. to operate the proposed business.
      • Demonstrate that the nominee applicants are qualified senior personnel who are essential to establishing or expanding and operating the proposed business in B.C.
      • Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia

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