The Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. Provincial Nomination is an important fast-track option for Canadian Permanent Residency.

Each Canadian province and one territory have their own unique Provincial Nomination Programs (except for Quebec, which has a different selection system). Provincial and territorial governments have been using these programs to more effectively and efficiently welcome newcomers to their region. Each PNP is tailored to the province's/territory's specific needs to select nominees who will be able to settle into life and work in the region and to effectively contribute to the community. Provincial Nominee Program or Canada PNP exists because Canadian provinces have their own nominee programs that are designed to encourage skilled migrants to settle in those provinces. These programs are designed to meet the specific needs of employers and to encourage capital investment for that specific geographic area. To apply under the Provincial Nominee Program, applicants must be nominated by a Canadian province or territory. Under this program applicants should have the skills, education and work experience needed to make an immediate economic contribution to the province or territory that nominates them.

All the Canadian Provinces do not provide Provincial Nomination Schemes; however, most provinces have an agreement with the Government of Canada that allows them to nominate immigrants who wish to settle in that province.
To be eligible to apply for the Provincial Nomination Scheme, the applicants have to pass three stages.

1. Job Offer – Applicants must have a valid job offer from a Canadian company based in the province to which the candidates intend to migrate. Alternatively, candidates can obtain a nomination certificate if they have a close relative living in that province.
2. Provincial Government Approval – The job offer should be approved by the relevant provincial government. The applicants are assessed against the migration requirement of the particular province. Candidates will also need to be able to prove that they have a genuine interest to reside and work in the province.
3. Application for Permanent Residency - Once the applicant receives a nomination from the particular province, they should make their application for permanent residency with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Applicants need to prove that they enough money to support themselves and their dependants after they arrive in Canada.

Provincial Nominee applications are given preference over other skilled visa applicants by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

At present, the following provinces and territories in Canada have Provincial Nomination Schemes.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon
• Quebec PNP

The principal applicant can include a common law partner, spouse, conjugal partner and/or dependent children in the application. Every province offers its own criteria regarding dependents and other obligations needed to be met to be eligible to apply to that province.

Persons coming in through this program are provided permanent resident status and ultimately the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship. Basic Features of the Visa :

1. Provincial Nomination Scheme visa is a quicker route to Canadian immigration.
2. It is not a points-based system unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Programme.
3. Applicants have the same benefits as those of a Federal Skilled worker holder.
4. Successful applicants will have access to government-subsidized health care,
free education and social benefits.
5. Successful applicants can work or pursue further study or invest in a business.
6. Applicants are restricted to working in the province sponsoring their application.

Permanent residence visa holders have the option to apply for Canadian nationality.

New Brunswick, the largest of Canada's three Maritime Provinces, is nestled under Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula besides the State of Maine. New Brunswick has signed a Provincial Nominee Agreement with the federal government, which allows the Province to play a more active role in immigration by selecting a number of immigrants to fulfill specific economic needs.

	You must have previous management experience with proven success as a senior executive and / or business owner.
	Our business skills must be relevant to the business you intend to pursue in New Brunswick econ.
	You must have sufficient funds to finance the first phase of the planned business venture without third party assistance and to support your family for a period of up to two years (Net worth about Cd $3,50,000). The personal net worth requirement will vary based on business venture proposed.

Advantages New Brunswick
		Invest in a joint venture in an established business.
		Business start-up uncertainty taken out.
		Start earning on landing.
		Option of continuing in the joint venture firm as a partner available.
		Faster immigration.
		No IELTS required.
		Spouse’s Characteristics.
		Family relationships with a Canadian citizen or a permanent Quebec resident.
		No. of children under the age of 22.

Manitoba is the easternmost province of the three Prairie Provinces and enjoys a rich population mix, with people from every continent and virtually every country in the world, thereby providing a wide fusion of cultures and heritage.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Immigration Program for business allows Manitoba to recruit, select, and nominate qualified business people from around the world who have the intent and ability to move to Manitoba and establish or purchase a business. Manitoba’s strategic location at the centre of Canada makes it a key part of the Mid-Continent Trade Corridor connecting manufacturers to a central North American market of 100 million people.

To qualify for the business program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
		The applicant must have a minimum personal net worth of Cdn $3,50,000.
		Availability of minimum amount of equity investment in Manitoba of Cdn $150,000.
		He/she should demonstrate a business experience or an extensive experience in senior management of a successful company.

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
		Should have a minimum personal net worth of Cdn $150,000 (after relocation to Manitoba).
		Should make a minimum amount of equity investment of Cdn $150,000 in Manitoba.
		Principal applicant must be under 40 years of age.
		Should possess demonstrated experience in the management of a farm operation and/or finances.

Advantages Manitoba Immigration-Faster immigration;
		No IELTS required.
		Highly conducive farming.
		Easily accessible to North American Market.
		Affordable high quality housing in Canada.

Saskatchewan lies in the heart of North America. To east and the west are Canadian province of Manitoba and Alberta. To south, it borders with American state of Montana and North Dakota. Its booming economy is creating opportunities for employment and investment in all sectors of the province. It is committed to creating and nurturing an environment that allows businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper Saskatchewan’s most enticing feature is the rich quality of life Saskatchewan residents enjoy. This Program is designed to help entrepreneurs establish their businesses in Saskatchewan. We have Business Immigration Officers available to help you through every step of the process.

		To be considered for the SINP Entrepreneur Category, you must.
		Have a minimum of 3 -5 years business ownership experience or senior management experience.
		Have a minimum personal net worth of CDN $3,00,000 (in entrepreneur cases) & for Farmer.
		Conduct a comprehensive Exploratory Visit to Saskatchewan (at least five working days) that includes a Visitation Seminar and interview with a SINP Business Immigration Officer.
		Submit a Business Proposal or Relocation and Settlement Plan.
		Make a minimum, verifiable investment of CDN $150,000 into starting a new business or buying outright an existing business, and have an active management role in the day-to-day operation of the business.
		Make a deposit of CDN $75,000 into a trust account and sign a Performance Agreement based on your Business Proposal or Relocation and Settlement Plan.
		Intend to own at least 33.3% of your business in Saskatchewan (with a minimum investment of CDN $150,000). If you will not own 33.3% of your business, you must invest a minimum of CDN $10,00,000 into the business, and have an active management role in the day-to-day operation of the business.

Farm owner / operator nominees will be individuals with proven experience in farming, substantial capital available to invest in a farming operation, and who have made a signed offer to purchase land for a farming operation in Saskatchewan.

		Available Equity — applicants must provide financial documents showing a net worth of $500,000.
		You must make a minimum equity investment of $ C 150,000 CAD in a new or existing farming operation in Saskatchewan comprised of either capital assets ( land, machinery) or working capital
		Refundable Cash Deposit - applicants must sign a Performance Agreement committing them to purchasing a farm operation in Saskatchewan and make a "good faith" deposit of $75,000 in trust. The cash deposit will be returned to them when the terms of the Performance Agreement are met. The deposit will be forfeited to the province if the terms are not met within two years of landing in Saskatchewan.
		Mandatory visit to Saskatchewan - applicants are required to visit Saskatchewan within the two-year period prior to making a signed offer to purchase.
		• Farm operation knowledge and experience — applicants must provide documentation (e.g. education and training, work experience, financial documents of their previous operations) that demonstrate that they are knowledgeable farm operators. If necessary, this may be further verified by a personal interview with the applicant in Saskatchewan.

The farm owner/operator category is restricted to proprietary businesses that include primary agricultural production. Agri-business operations that do not involve primary agricultural production, or farm operations that involve some form of joint venture with existing Saskatchewan operations, would be eligible to apply under the Business category.

Advantages Saskatchewan Immigration
		Saskatchewan has one of Canada’s strongest economies.
		The cost of doing business here is among the lowest in the country.
		Its central continental location, with easy access to all of North America.
		Fast immigration.
		No IELTS required.
		Housing is attractive and affordable.

Provincial Nominee Program

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) offers accelerated immigration for qualified skilled workers and experienced entrepreneurs who wish to settle in British Columbia (BC) and become permanent residents of Canada. This program is administered on behalf of the Province of B.C. by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada The Provincial Nominee Program selects and nominates potential immigrants for permanent residence who have the ability to become economically established in B.C. and who will provide significant economic benefits to the province. Individuals nominated by the Province of B.C., together with their spouse and dependent children, are eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa from Citizenship and Immigration Canada in the Provincial Nominee Class. Citizenship and Immigration Canada gives priority to processing permanent resident visa applications for provincial nominees. Citizenship and Immigration Canada makes the final decision on these applications.

Strategic Occupations

The Strategic Occupations component of the Provincial Nominee Program supports B.C. employers who need to recruit or retain qualified foreign workers to help meet their current and future skill needs, and whose activities contribute to the Province’s economic development objectives. The employer and the prospective employee (nominee candidate) submit a joint application to the program. Briefly, the requirements for applying to the strategic occupations component of the Provincial Nominee Program are as follows:

• The employer has offered, and the nominee candidate has accepted, permanent, full-time employment in a skilled occupation
• The candidate is qualified to do the job.
• The wage offered is competitive with BC wage rates for the occupation
• The nominee candidate’s field of employment offers good long-term prospects
• The employer must be financially sound, have a history of good practices, and normally must have been operating in BC for at least one year and have at least five paid employees
• The employment of a foreign worker will be of significant economic benefit to B.C.
• The employment of a foreign worker will not adversely affect the settlement of a labour dispute, or the employment of anyone involved in any such dispute
• The nominee candidate has the ability to become economically established in BC

Designated Health Professionals

Applications in this category are limited to:

• Registered nurses, psychiatric nurses and physicians recruited by provincial and regional health authorities administered through Health Match BC, and who meet the Provincial Nominee Program’s requirements.
• Midwives who meet the Provincial Nominee Program’s requirements.

International Graduates

Nominee candidates in this category must have satisfied the requirements for an eligible degree or diploma conferred by a recognized post-secondary institution in BC before accepting an offer of employment.

Eligible Degree Programs

An undergraduate or graduate degree awarded from a post-secondary institution in British Columbia that:
a. has been established under an Act of British Columbia legislature; or,
b. has completed the required government-mandated quality assessment process and has obtained Ministerial consent under the Degree Authorization Act (DAA).
The degree must be awarded within the following fields:

• Natural sciences, applied sciences or engineering.
• Health sciences.
• Computer science, information systems or digital media.
• Business or commerce.
• Tourism, recreation and hospitality.
• Transportation and logistics.

At its discretion, the BC PNP may accept degrees in other fields of study.

Eligible Diploma Programs

A program of study, offered by a B.C.
Public post-secondary institution, that is normally greater than 12 months of full-time equivalent study.
The diploma must be awarded within the following fields:

• Applied sciences or technologies, or engineering.
• Health sciences or technologies.
• Computer science or technology, information systems or digital media.
• Business or commerce.
• Tourism, recreation and hospitality.
• Transportation and logistics.

Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Pilot Project

This 2-year pilot project applies to select occupations and eligible employers in the tourism/hospitality, food processing and long-haul trucking industries, and to qualifying foreign workers. Note: The pilot project was expanded to include the food processing industry as of October 20, 2008.The tourism/hospitality, food processing and long-haul trucking industries were selected for this pilot project as they play a key role in B.C.’s export-oriented economy, and are experiencing acute and persistent labour shortages. Through their respective provincial industry organizations, these industries have developed human resource development strategies to hire, train and retain domestic workers, and have demonstrated that they will be unable to fully meet their on-going workforce requirements without the opportunity to retain foreign workers through permanent immigration.

Eligible Occupations

• Hotel Front Desk Clerks.
• Tour and Travel Guides.
• Outdoor Sport and Recreational Guides.
• Casino Occupations.
• Maitres d'hotel and Hosts/Hostesses.
• Bartenders.
• Food and Beverage Servers.
• Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations.
• Light Duty Cleaners.
• Specialized Cleaners.
• Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents.
• Other Attendants in Accommodation and Travel.
• Doorkeeper, Hotel Guest Services Attendant, Hotel.
• Dry Cleaning and Laundry Occupations (Hotels/Resorts only).
• Ironing, Pressing and Finishing Occupations (Hotels/Resorts only).
• Other Elemental Service Occupations: Attendant, Sauna Room (Hotels/Resorts only), Hotel Valet.
• Long-Haul Truck Drivers.
• Process Control and Machine Operators, Food and Beverage Processing.
• Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers and Related Workers.
• Fish Plant Workers.
• Testers and Graders, Food and Beverage Processing.
• Labourers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing.
• Labourers in Fish Processing.

Requirements for Strategic Occupations.

• Occupation.
• Demand and outlook for the occupation.
• Wage for the position.
• Qualifications.
• Offer of employment.
• Employer’s history and operations.
• Economic benefits to B.C.
• Ability to become economically established in B.C.

Skilled Workers
There are 3 programs in the skilled worker program, namely:

• Assured Job Program
• Occupations in Demand Program
• Employability and Occupational Mobility Program

Assured Job Program

Eligibility for this program depends on the following factors:

• applicants must have received an official job offer from a Québec employer
• Applicant’s Québec employer must demonstrate that he/she was unable to recruit a Québec resident to fill the position.

Occupations in Demand Program

Eligibility for this program depends on the following factors:

• applicants must practice an occupation included on the list of occupations in demand set by the Provincial Government of Québec
• applicants must have at least 6 months of work experience in this occupation
• Upon your arrival in Québec, applicants must have in their possession the minimum funds needed to support themselves for the first three months (as set by the Provincial Government of Québec).

Employability and Occupational Mobility Program

Eligibility for this program depends on the following factors:

• The applicant and the spouse must have an employability and occupational mobility profile that enables you to readily adapt to the rapid changes in the Québec labour market. The key factors are:
• o training
• o work experience
• o age
• o knowledge of English and French
• o previous visits to or ties with Québec
• the applicant and the spouse must have at least 6 months of work experience
• Upon your arrival in Québec, the applicant and the spouse must have in your possession the minimum funds needed to support yourself for the first three months (as set by the Provincial Government of Québec).

Business Category

To be selected as a business immigrant, applicants must undertake to make an investment that will generate significant economic benefits for Québec. There are 3 business programs in Quebec, namely:

• Entrepreneur Program
• Investor Program
• Self-Employed Worker Program

Entrepreneur Program

To qualify for this program, applicants must:

• have, along with your accompanying married or common-law spouse, where applicable, lawfully acquired net assets of at least C$ 300,000.
• have at least three years of management experience (planning, supervision and control of human, physical and financial resources) acquired in a lawful and profitable business (agricultural, industrial or commercial).
• submit a business plan to establish or acquire a business in Québec that you will manage yourself or as a partner in management and day-to-day operations, and that will employ at least three Québec residents other than yourself and members of your immediate family
• satisfy the following conditions for at least one year in the three years after you become a permanent resident:
• you must control at least 33 1/3% of the capital of an eligible Canadian business
• you must manage the corporation actively and continuously
• you must create the equivalent of at least one full-time equivalent job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents other than yourself and members of your family.

Investor Program

To be eligible for the Investor Program, you must:

• have a minimum net worth of C$800,000 acquired through lawful economic activities.
• have a minimum of three years management experience (planning, supervision and control of financial as well as human and material resources) acquired over the course of the 10 years preceding your application for a Québec Selection Certificate, in a profitable and legal business (agricultural, industrial or commercial), in government or in an international organization.
• Undertake to invest a minimum of C$400,000, for five years, by signing an agreement with a financial intermediary: a stock broker recognized by the Autorité des marchés financiers (financial markets authority) or a trust company. This amount will be invested with Investissement Québec or one of its subsidiaries to fund a program to assist small and medium-sized businesses in Québec.

Self-Employed Worker Program

To qualify for this program, you must:

• come to Québec to create your own job by practicing an occupation in your own account
• possess a lawfully acquired minimum net worth of C$ 100,000 along with your accompanying married or common-law spouse, where applicable
• Have at least two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the occupation you plan to pursue in Québec.

Canada Family Class Immigration

Immigration to Canada through Canadian Family Class Sponsorship

To be eligible for Family Class Sponsorship, individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada must have a close relative willing to sponsor them and that relative must either be a Canadian citizen or a Canadian Permanent Resident.

To qualify under Canada Family Class Sponsorship:

Application Processing Fees at the Canadian Immigration Visa Offices are based on the latest information available from Canadian Immigration Authorities.

Please note that these fees are subject to change without notice. Therefore, it is recommended to use this information only as a guide. You should contact the Embassy directly to obtain the most current exchange rates.

The Family Class Sponsorship process of Canadian immigration differs depending on where the Sponsored Person is currently residing and where they intend to reside in Canada.
A Sponsored Person can apply from:

• Outside Canada; or
• Inside Canada, if they are the spouse or common-law partner of the Canadian Sponsor (including the Sponsored Person's dependent child).

Canada Family Class Immigration Application Process

For Sponsored Persons applying from outside Canada:

• The Canadian Sponsor must submit the Sponsorship Application to the Canadian Immigration Case Processing Centre (CPC) located in Mississauga, Ontario.
• The Sponsored Person's Application for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa must also be submitted to the Canadian Immigration Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga, Ontario.
• Upon approval of the Family Class Sponsorship Application, Citizenship and Immigration Canada authorities will forward the Sponsored Person's Permanent Resident application to the appropriate Canadian Immigration Visa Office located outside of Canada.

For Sponsored Persons applying from inside Canada (spouses or common-law partners and their dependent children only):

The Canadian Sponsor must submit the Sponsorship Application to the Canadian Immigration Case Processing Centre located in Vegreville, Alberta.

• The Sponsored Person's Application ForPermanent Residence In Canada must also be submitted to the Canadian Immigration Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta.

For Sponsored persons applying to Quebec:

The same conditions apply as above, but the Sponsorship application will not be approved until it has been forwarded to Quebec and approved by Quebec immigration authorities.
The Sponsor and Sponsored Person(s) must follow the appropriate Canada Family Class Immigration application process.

Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) Family Class Sponsorship:

Many of the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) have Family Class Sponsorship categories, which differ slightly from the federal category. If the Canadian province where your family member lives has such a program, you may wish to consider this option as well.

Processing Times

Family Sponsorship processing times vary from one Canadian Immigration Visa office to another:

• pouses and partners processing times,
• Dependant children processing times,
• Parents and grandparents processing times,
• Other family members processing times.

Processing Fees

• Federal Family Sponsorship Processing Fees vary from one Canadian Immigration Visa office to another.
• Family Sponsorship Processing Fees for sponsoring a person to the Province of Quebec are $250 for one Sponsored Person and $100 for each additional person.