As Canada is known for its many immigration programs, there is a business immigration system that can quickly go unnoticed, but holds incredible potential: The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). This stream of applications for permanent residence allows a province or territory to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residency. The Provincial Nominee Program requirements are determined by each province or territory. They vary greatly, so in order to decipher the multitude of PNP’s that exist for potential foreign workers in Canada, The Canadian Law Group has organized tables for our readers to summarize each PNP (aren’t you happy you subscribe to our listserve now?).

1. What are the Provincial Nominee programs in Canada?
As Canada is known for its many immigration programs, there is a business immigration system
that can quickly go unnoticed, but holds incredible potential: The Provincial Nominee Programs
(PNPs). This stream of applications for permanent residence allows a province or territory to
nominate foreign nationals for permanent residency. The Provincial Nominee Program
requirements are determined by each province or territory. They vary greatly, so in order to
decipher the multitude of PNP’s that exist for potential foreign workers in Canada, The Canadian
Law Group has organized tables for our readers to summarize each PNP (aren’t you happy you
subscribe to our listserve now?).
The table below sets out the Provincial Nominee Program(s) offered for Canada, the limits of
applications accepted each year, and their requirements.
ALBERTA
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant Limit
(Caps) Requirements

2. Employer-Driven Stream
- Alberta Employers who wish
to keep foreign workers on a
permanent, full-time basis if it
is a challenge to find
Canadians to fill the positions.
- Foreign workers with full-time
permanent job offers from an
Albertian Employer who wish
to live in Alberta
permanently.
/ Employers need to make a permanent, full time
job offer to foreign worker under one of these
categories:
Skilled Worker Category
For Candidateswhohave a permanent, full-
time job offer from their Alberta Employer
in a skilled occupation.
International Graduate Category
For Candidates who have recently
graduated from a Canadian post-secondary
institutionand have a permanent, full-time
job offer from their Alberta Employer in a
NOC skill-level 0, A, B or C occupation.
Semi-Skilled Worker Category
For Candidateswhohave a permanent, full-
time jobofferfroman AlbertaEmployerin a
semi-skilled occupation.
Strategic Recruitment Stream
Alberta foreign workers who wish to
pursue a career in a profession in
demand.
/ Compulsory and Optional Trades Category
For candidates who have a valid trade
certificate in a Compulsory or Optional
Trade in Alberta issued or recognized by
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry
Training (AIT). Engineering
Occupations Category For candidates
who have credentials as an engineer,
designer or drafter and Alberta work
experience in an eligible Engineering
Occupation. Post-
Graduate Worker Category For
candidates who have graduated from a
recognized postsecondary institution in
Alberta, are currently working in Alberta in
an eligible occupation, and have a valid
Post-Graduation Work Permit from
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

3. Self-Employer Farmer Stream
Farm owners or operators able to
develop a sustainable production
farming system in Alberta.
/ Candidates must prove that they have
official farm management skills
- Financial documentationof your
existingfarmbusiness
- Documentationof youreducation,
trainingandwork experience
- Proposedbusinessplan forthe
farmingenterprise youare
consideringinAlberta
- Proof that a Canadianfinancial
institutioniswillingtofinance your
proposedfarmingbusiness.
Candidates must have sufficient financial
resources to develop a sustainable farming
operation.
- You mustbe able toinvesta
minimumof CDN $500,000 of equity
ina primaryproductionfarming
businessinAlberta.
- You mustprovide documentsthat
demonstratesyouhave aminimum
networth of CDN $500,000 or
confirmationthatyouhave access
to a similaramountof fundsfrom
othersources.
- The CDN $500,000 is the minimum
amount.You maybe requiredto
show youhave the abilitytoinvest
more than the minimum.
Source: http://www.albertacanada.com/opportunity/immigrating/ainp.aspx
BRITISH COLUMBIA
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant Limit
(Caps) Requirements
Entrepreneur Stream 200 Applicants must be investment-ready,
with business ownership and/or
management experience. They must
demonstrate that they are able to

4. establish themselves in B.C. and invest
in a new or existing business that will
employ Canadian citizens or permanent
residents, providing significant
economic benefits to the province.
Skill Stream Applicants must fit in one of the
following categories:
Healthcare professionals (physicians,
registerednursesandotherhealthcare
workers)
NortheastPilotProject: Entrylevelorsemi-
skilledworkerswhoare livinginthe
northeastregionof the province
Source: http://www.welcomebc.ca/pnp
MANITOBA
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant Limit
(Caps) Requirements
Manitoba Provincial Nominee
Program for Skilled Workers
/
Applicationsare acceptedfromqualified
temporaryforeignworkersand
international studentgraduateswhoare
currentlyworkinginManitobaandhave
beenofferedapermanentjobwiththeir
Manitobaemployer.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee
Program for Business
- Have a minimumverifiable
personal networthof
CDN$350,000;
- Have a minimumthree yearsof
successful businessownership
and managementexperienceora
minimumthree yearsof

5. executive-level experience as
seniormanagerof a business;and
- Score a minimumof 60 pointsin
the AdaptabilityAssessment
Matrix.
Source: http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/immigrate/
NEW BRUNSWICK
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful
Applicant Limit
(Caps)
Requirements
Business Applicants / Applicantsmustfitinall these criterias:
- Be between 22 and 55 years old.
- Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability
- Understand that they will live,and operate
a business in New Brunswick.
- Have relevant and proven management
experience in three of the lastfiveyears.
- Demonstrate an understandingof the
business environment in New Brunswick.
- Prepare a business plan of economic benefit
to New Brunswick.
- Have a personal net worth of at least
$300,000 CAD.
- Submit all required forms and supporting
documents.
- Submit a signed copy of the Deposit
Agreement and a conditionally refundable
depositof $75,000 CAD prior to nomination.
- Score a minimum of 50 points in the
selection factors.
Skilled Worker Applicants with
Employer Support
Applicantsmustfitinall these criterias:
- Be between 22 and 55 years old.
- Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability
- Understand that they will liveand work in
New Brunswick

6. - Have the education,qualifications and,or
licenses needed to fulfill their job duties
- Have a genuine offer of employment.
- Be a permanent full-timeemployee of a
New Brunswick company.
- Have the funds to settle in New Brunswick.
Skilled Worker Applicants with
Family Support
Applicantsmustfitinall these criterias:
- Be a closerelativeof the Family Supporter
- Be between 22 and 50 years of age.
- Have a sufficientEnglish and,or french
languageability to settle in New Brunswick
and fulfill your job duties in your intended
occupation.
- Have the education,qualifications and,or
licenses needed to fulfill their job duties
- Understand that they will liveand work in
New Brunswick
- Have at leasttwo years of continuous full-
time work experience within the lastfive
years,in your intended occupation in New
Brunswick.
- Have the funds to settle in New Brunswick.
Source:http://www.welcomenb.ca/content/wel-
bien/en/immigrating_and_settling/how_to_immigrate/new_brunswick_provincialnomineeprogram.html
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful
Applicant Limit
(Caps)
Requirements
Skilled Worker Category / - Have a full-timejob offer from a
Newfoundland and Labrador employer
- Have a Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Work Permit or is entitled to apply for one
- Have the qualifications,training,skills,and/or
accreditation required for the job
- Can demonstrate the intention and ability to
settle permanently in Newfoundland and
Labrador

7. - Have a job or job offer that does not
contravene existingbargainingunit
agreements or any employment disputes
- Can demonstrate that you have sufficient
settlement funds and financial resources to
successfully establish yourself and any
dependents in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Your employer (or future employer) can
demonstrate a need for your skill set
- Can demonstrate sufficientEnglish or French
languagecapability to perform the
employment duties.
International Graduates - Have completed atleasthalf of your studies in
Canada and have graduated from an eligible
publicly funded Canadian collegeor university
- Have completed a minimum of a two-year
diploma or degree program, whilestudyingon
a full-time basis.
- Have a full-timejob offer in your field of study,
or a related field of study, from a
Newfoundland and Labrador employer;
- Have legal status to work in Canada;that is to
say,have a Citizenship and Immigration
Canada Post-GraduateWork Permit.
- Have a job or job offer that has compensation
in the form of a salary and benefits package
that meets provincial employment standards
and prevailingwagerates
- Have a job or job offer that has opportunity
for advancement
- Have a job or job offer that does not
contravene existingbargainingunit
agreements or any employment disputes
- Can demonstrate that you have sufficient
financial resourcesto successfully establish
yourself and any dependents in Newfoundland
and Labrador;
- Can demonstrate sufficientEnglish or French
languagecapability to perform the
employment duties.
Source: http://www.nlpnp.ca/index.html

8. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful
Applicant Limit
(Caps)
Requirements
Business Driven Category / For Skilled Workers,Critical ImpactWorkers and
Foreign Nationals:
- Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability
- Understand that they will liveand work in
the Northwest Territories
- Have the education, qualifications and,or
licenses needed to fulfill their job duties
- Can demonstrate that you have sufficient
settlement funds and financial resourcesto
successfully establish yourself and any
dependents in the Northwest Territories
Source: http://www.immigratenwt.ca/en/nominee-program
**There is another category, but the guidelines have not been set up yet.
NOVA SCOTIA
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant
Limit
(Caps)
Requirements
Skilled Worker Category 2,500 - Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability.
- Understand that they will liveand work in
Nova Scotia.
- Have the education,qualifications and,or
licenses needed to fulfill their job duties.
- Receive a full-time, permanent job offer
from Canadian employer.
- Have at leasttwelve months of work
experience within the lastfiveyears.
Nova Scotia Demand - Have at leastone year of full-timepaid work
experience in the last10 years.
- Hold a foreign diploma, certificateor
credential and its educational credential
equivalency.

9. - Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability.
Nova Scotia Experience - Be between the ages of 21 and 55
- Have at least12 months full-time(or an
equal amount in part-time) skilled work
experience in Nova Scotia in the three years
before you apply
- Have gained your experience in Nova Scotia
with the proper authorization (work permit,
etc.)
- Have completed Canadian secondary (high
school) or post-secondary educational
credential OR a completed foreign
educational credential froma recognized
institution or authority AND an Educational
Credential Assessment
- Meet the required languagelevels needed
for your job for each languageability
- Demonstrate that you will become
economically established in Nova Scotia and
that you intend to livein the province
permanently
Family Business Worker - Have at leastone year of full-timepaid work
experience in the last10 years.
- Hold a foreign diploma,certificateor
credential and its educational credential
equivalency.
- Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability.
Source: http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/
ONTARIO
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant Limit
(Caps) Requirements
Ontario Immigrant Nominee
Program:
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
(OINP) helps employers meet their
human resource needs for workers, by
enabling them to recruit foreign
workers and international students.
5,200 - Be a permanentandfull-time
position
- Must consistof a minimumof 1,560
hoursof paidemploymentina12-
monthperiod
- Be ina skilledoccupation
- Meetwage criteria
- Notaffectthe settlementof any

10. labourdispute oraffectthe
employmentof apersoninvolvedin
such a dispute,oradverselyaffect
employmentortraining
opportunitiesforCanadiancitizens
or permanentresidentsof Ontario.
- Be necessaryforthe company’s
operations.
Source: http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPABOUT.html
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant Limit
(Caps) Requirements
Business Impact Category
The BusinessImpactCategoryprovides the
opportunity for foreign nationals to be
nominated by Prince Edward Island to
become permanent residents of Canada
providing they invest in and actively
manage a businessinPrince EdwardIsland.
The BusinessImpactCategoryislookingfor
interested businesspersons who can
demonstrate vision, leadership and
determination.
The applicant must
- Complete andsubmitall required
Federal andProvincial PNPforms
and supportingdocumentation.
- Possessaminimumverifiable
personal networthof $600,000
whichhas beenaccumulated
throughlegal andlegitimate sources
intheirownright.
- Possessaminimumeducationof
high-school equivalent.
- Be within21-59 yearsof age at the
time of application.
- Have transferable management
skillsandpastemployment.
- Have scored a minimumbandscore
of 4.0 on the IELTS withinthe last2
years.
- Provide adetailedbusinessplanfor
100% businessownershipthatfalls
withinaneligible sectorandmeets
all program criteriainplace at the
time of application.
- Provide active andon-going
managementof the businessfrom
withinPrince EdwardIsland.

11. - Signan escrow agreement
containingstipulationsonadeposit
of $200,000 to be heldbythe
Province until termsof the
agreementhave beenmet.
- Make a minimumof $150,000
investmentintoanewor existing
Prince EdwardIslandownedand
operatedbusiness.All transactions
mustconformto the Immigration
and Refugee ProtectionAct.
Labour Impact Category
The Labour Impact Category facilitates and
provides opportunity for Prince Edward
Island businesses and potential new
employees from outside of Canada, who
have the right skill set to immigrate, work
and settle in Prince Edward Island.
The applicant must
- Have a full-time,long-term(i.e.
permanentorminimumof 2 years)
jobofferfroma Prince Edward
Islandemployerata NOC skill level
O, A or B.
- Have a validworkpermitif currently
employedbyaPrince EdwardIsland
employer.
- Have legal statusincountry of
residence.
- Be able toattendan interview at
the Office of Immigration,if
required.
- Have successfullycompleted
minimum2year postsecondary
educationdegree ordiploma.
- Be between21and 59 yearsof age.
- Have at leasttwoyearsof full-time
work experience withinthe pastfive
years.
- PossesssufficientEnglishand/or
Frenchlanguage abilitytoperform
the job offeredbyaPrince Edward
Islandemployer. Declarationof
language abilityfromthe Island
employerofferingthe full-time job
- Educational/trainingdocuments
froman internationallyrecognized
institution,indicatingthe principal
language studied/communicated
was inEnglishand/orFrench.
- Demonstrate sufficientsettlement
supportsandfinancial resourcesas
indicatedbytransferablefunds, in
orderfor the applicantandfamilyto
pay the immigrationcosts,travel

12. expensesandothersettlement
expensestobe able toestablishin
Prince EdwardIsland.
- Demonstrate genuineintentionto
settle inPrince EdwardIsland.
Source: http://www.gov.pe.ca/immigration/index.php3?number=1014385&lang=E
SASKATCHEWAN
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant Limit
(Caps) Requirements
International Skilled Worker
Category
For skilled foreigners who wish to
work and live in Saskatchewan
- You must scorea minimum of 60 points
out of 100 on the point assessmentgrid.
- You must have a minimum of one-year
work experience in the pastten years in
your intended occupation.
- If your intended occupation is in a
regulated profession or compulsory
apprenticeship trade,you will be
required to obtain proof of eligibility for
Saskatchewan licensureto be ableto
work in that profession before you apply
to the SINP.
- Have a sufficientEnglish and,or French
languageability.
Saskatchewan Experience
Category
for foreign nationals currently
working and living in
Saskatchewan.
- Have a permanentfull-time joboffer
froma Saskatchewanemployerinan
occupationinNational Occupation
Classification(NOC)Matrix “A”,“B”,
or “0” or in a designatedtrade
(Please note:FoodandBeverage
Servers/Personsmustapplyunder
the HospitalitySectorPilotProject
sub-category);
- Have a validSINPJobApproval
Letter;
- Have workedformore thansix
months, forthe employeroffering
youthe job,undera validwork
permitissuedbyCitizenshipand
ImmigrationCanada(CIC).
Source: http://www.economy.gov.sk.ca/immigration/sinp

13. YUKON
PNP Program(s) Offered
Successful Applicant
Limit
(Caps)
Requirements
Skilled Worker Category - Have the qualifications,training,skills,
and/or accreditation required for the job
- Can demonstrate the intention and ability
to settle permanently in Newfoundland
and Labrador
- Be efficient in English or French
- Proof of education/Credentials
- Demonstrate at leastone year of
experience in a job that belongs in the
Skilled Worker category
Critical Impact Worker Program - Proof of education/credentials –The
applicantmustsubmittheir high school
certificateor its equivalent in order to
meet the minimum education
requirement. If higher education is
required for the position/NOC,please
submiteducational diplomas,certificates,
degrees, etc.
- Demonstrate at leastsix months of related
work experience for the Critical Impact
Worker stream for the position being
nominated for;
- Language Proficiency Test: Applicants must
providevalid original testresults froma
languagetest administered by a
designated testing agency. The accepted
tests are IELTS General Trainingor CELPIP
General for English and TEF for French.
- Foreign nationals,who are lookingto work
in jobs that fall in Skill Level C or D, are
required to have minimum scores in each
category (Reading, Writing,Listening, and
Speaking).
Copyright – Canadian Law Group – August 2015