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Provincial Nominees

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Provincial Nominees

If you have the skills, education and work experience to make an economic contribution to a specific province or territory of your choice, you may apply to immigrate to that province or territory under the Provincial Nominee Program.









9 provinces and one territory currently offer provincial nominee programs. These are Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon.

 There are a variety of programs available and the application criteria and procedure will depend on the specific program and the province or territory under consideration.

You may initiate the process by applying to the province where you wish to settle and by completing its provincial nomination process. You must meet the program criteria and confirm your genuine intention to settle in the province. For Employer-driven applications, your prospective employer will initiate the process, and may be required to make a business case for your employment.

The various provincial nominee programs fall into the following 4 broad categories:

  1. Employer-driven programs for skilled workers, low-skilled workers or international graduates of Canadian institutions.

     You would generally have strong ties to the province or territory and must have a job offer for a permanent and full-time position from a Canadian employer. The job offer must meet provincial employment and wage standards, and must not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements. Your prospective employer may be required to make a business case for your employment.
  2. Programs that provide for Canadian citizens or permanent residents to help their overseas family members or close friends relocate and work in the province.

    Your Canada based family members or friends must be willing to provide you with assistance during the immigration process and after you arrive in the province.
  3. Programs for business people, investors and entrepreneurs who propose to establish a business and be self-employed in that business.

     You must meet the criteria for eligible business activity, business experience and net worth and liquidity requirements. You must also have an acceptable business proposal.
  4. A program that allows skilled foreign nationals working in occupations in high demand in Alberta to apply directly for nomination. These skilled workers must either meet the criteria for the Compulsory Trades Occupations Category,  the Engineering Occupations Category or the United States Visa Holders Category. The first 2 categories require Alberta work experience. The third category requires prior work experience in the United States.

If your provincial nominee application is successful, you will be nominated by the province or territory, and you are then required to make a separate application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for permanent residence. You must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks.

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