Last Updated 03 September 2026

Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Allocations, Draws & How to Apply

The Canada PNP allows provinces to nominate skilled workers for permanent residency. In 2026, 91,500 PNP nominations are available — a 66% increase from 2025. A PNP nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream adds 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA. Compare provinces, check draws, and find your stream below.

• Easiest path to get Canada PR.
• Flexible for different applicants.
• Approximately 80 PNP immigration streams across 13 provinces and territories (excluding Quebec).
• Get extra 600 Express Entry points.
• Faster than other immigration programs.
• Settle in a specific province.

Canada PNP 2026 at a Glance: 91,500 PNP nominations available | 66% increase from 2025 | 13 provinces and territories | ~80 immigration streams | Top province: Ontario (14,119 spots) | 600 CRS points with a nomination | Source: canada.ca.

Important Update: Canada Boosts Provincial Nomination Allocation for 2026

Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets the Provincial Nominee Program admissions target at 91,500 for 2026 — a 66% increase from 55,000 in 2025, marking the largest single-year PNP increase in Canadian immigration history. This allocation is applicable across all participating provinces and territories under the PNP program.

IRCC has officially declared this to be one of the largest PR opportunities across all provinces in Canada this year.

Here is what the increase in PNP allocation means for  foreign nationals:

• More frequent invitation rounds over the year.
• Greater chances of selection with a mid-range CRS score.
• Active recruitment of foreign skilled professionals and graduates across shortage sectors like IT and healthcare.
• PNP nomination will add an extra 600 points to your CRS score, increasing the chances of selection for Canada PR.

Note: Quebec operates its own separate immigration system (Programme des travailleurs qualifiés du Québec, Programme de l'expérience québécoise, and the Arrima expression of interest pool) and is not part of the federal PNP. If you want to immigrate to Quebec, visit immigration.quebec.gc.ca. Quebec's 2026 target is approximately 50,000 immigrants, managed entirely separately.

The table given below highlights the increase in province-wise allocation for PNP draws:

Canada Provincial Nominee Program provides a pathway to settle in Canada. Provinces and territories can nominate eligible individuals for a Canadian Permanent Residency under the Provincial Nominee Program. PNP also offers applicants holding a PNP an additional 600 CRS points when they enter Express Entry pool. Several PNP programs have issued Letters of Interest to applicants with CRS scores below 400 as well. Y-Axis can help you take advantage of this huge opportunity to migrate to Canada with our dedicated visa and immigration support.

Canada PNP Program

PNP is short for the Provincial Nominee Program, which allows people to migrate to a particular province or territory in Canada. 

Candidates are required to apply only in the particular province or territory where they want to emigrate. Ensure you have all the required skills, work experience, and educational qualifications needed for the job vacancies in that province or territory.

The province or territory will evaluate if you fulfil their job market requirements. If they find your profile suitable, they will inform you how long it will take to process the application.

Once the territory or province approves your application, you will be required to apply for permanent residence within their time frame. You will also be informed if you must apply via the Express Entry system or the regular application procedure.  

Through an Express Entry PNP path: If you have not enrolled in the Express Entry pool, you must complete an Express Entry profile to be admitted into the pool. If not, you can commence it by using the Government of Canada portal.

Through a non-Express Entry PNP path: Applicants of permanent residency who have been nominated through a non-Express Entry PNP stream need to apply for the same through the regular application process.

Features of the Provincial nominee program:

Canada offers approximately 80 PNP immigration streams across 13 provinces and territories (excluding Quebec, which operates its own separate immigration system). The PNP allows provinces to meet their immigration needs by helping them fill in-demand job vacancies and address labour shortages.

Most PNPs require applicants to have some connection to the province. They should have either worked earlier in that province or studied there. Or they should have a valid job offer from an employer in the province for a work visa.

A provincial nomination can help you get your PR visa in two ways. It can add 600 CRS points to your Express Entry application and make you eligible to apply for your PR visa directly to IRCC. 

Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Details

The Canada Provincial Nominee Program was created to attract skilled international talent to work in Canada in  provinces where there is a talent shortage. Thousands of successful applicants have relocated and permanently settled in Canada through the PNP program. Some of the best Canadian provinces to apply to under this program are: 

• Prince Edward Island
• Ontario
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Nova Scotia
• Alberta

If you are a skilled professional with experience in technology, finance, education, marketing or healthcare, now is the perfect time to explore your options through the PNP program.

You can apply under the PNP option to migrate to Canada if you want to live in a province, contribute to its economy and wish to become a permanent resident of Canada.

Steps to apply for PNP 

STEP 1: Check your eligibility through Canada Immigration Points Calculator 

STEP 2: Review the specific PNP criteria.

STEP 3: Arrange the checklist of requirements

STEP 4: Apply for the Canada PNP program.

STEP 5: Migrate to Canada.

Options in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

There are two options when filling an application through the PNP program:

1. Paper based process
2. Through Express Entry

Paper based process:

The first step is to apply to the province or territory for nomination under the non-Express Entry stream.  If you meet the eligibility requirements and qualify through the individual In-demand Occupation Lists of some provinces, you will get a nomination from the province if your occupation is on the list. You can then apply for a Canada PR Visa. 

You will now have to submit a paper application for your PR visa. The processing time is usually longer than through the Express Entry system. 

Express Entry System:

There are 2 ways to apply:

You can apply for a nomination by contacting the province or territory or applying for a nomination under the Express Entry stream. 

If you get a positive response from the province or territory to nominate you, you can create an Express Entry profile or update it if it already exists. 

The other option is to create an Express Entry profile and express your interest in provinces or territories. If the province sends a ‘notification of interest’, you can contact them and apply through the Express Entry system. 

You must meet the eligibility requirements for a successful outcome of your application.

Steps in PNP application for PR visa:

1. Apply in the province or region where you desire to settle.

2. If your profile meets the eligibility criteria, you could be nominated by the province to apply for a PR visa.

3. Apply for your PR visa after you are nominated by a province.

The criteria for evaluating the PR application varies from province to province.

Canada PNP Requirements

PNP eligibility requirements vary by province — there is no single universal PNP points grid. Each province and territory sets its own criteria, such as Manitoba, BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, which all use separate scoring systems. If applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) via Express Entry, the FSWP eligibility grid requires a minimum score of 67 out of 100 — this is a Federal Skilled Worker Program requirement, not a PNP requirement. For any specific PNP stream, visit the relevant provincial PNP website for its eligibility criteria.

To apply for a Canadian PNP program, applicants generally need to present:

• Educational credentials
• Work experience in an in-demand occupation
• Language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark, typically CLB 5–7)
• Medical insurance
• Police clearance certificate
• Other supporting requirements specific to the province and stream

Documents Required for Canada PNP

To apply for the Canadian PNP program, applicants need to present their:

• Current passport and travel history
• Educational credentials
• Professional credentials
• Recent medical report
• Police clearance certificate
• Other supporting documents

Features of the Provincial nominee program:

Canada offers nearly 80 different PNPs which have their individual eligibility requirements. The PNP program allows provinces to meet their individual immigration needs by helping them fill jobs that are in demand and meet labor shortages in their province.

Most PNPs require applicants to have some connection to the province. They should have either worked earlier in that province or studied there. Or they should have a job offer from an employer in the province for a job visa.

A provincial nomination can help you in two ways to get your PR visa. It can add 600 CRS points to your Express Entry application and makes you eligible to apply for your PR visa directly to IRCC.

Important Update for PNP applicants

National Occupational Classification (NOC) and TEER categories: All PNP applications require your job to be classified under Canada's NOC system using a 5-digit code. Most PNP streams accept TEER 0 (management), TEER 1 (professional), TEER 2 (technical/paraprofessional), and TEER 3 (trades and some services). TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations have limited PNP pathway options. Verify your TEER category at noc.esdc.gc.ca. Your NOC code must match your job duties — an incorrect NOC is a primary cause of refusal.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If you obtained your degree outside Canada, you must get an ECA from an IRCC-designated organisation before applying to most PNP streams via Express Entry. Recognised providers include World Education Services (WES), IQAS, and ICES. Apply at wes.org.

Language requirements: Most PNP streams require Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 to 7 (roughly IELTS 4.5–6.0). Express Entry-linked PNP streams may require CLB 7 (roughly IELTS 6.0). Some high-skilled streams require CLB 8 or higher. Verify requirements for your specific stream.

Latest Canada PNP Draws

The table below has the list of the latest PNP draws held in Canada:

Canada Draws in 2026

Canada PNP Processing Time 2026

Canada PNP processing takes approximately 3–9 months for the provincial nomination stage and a further 6 months for IRCC to process the PR application — a total typical timeline of 9–15 months for Express Entry-linked PNP routes. Non-Express Entry paper-based PNP streams take 12–24 months.

Express Entry-linked PNP provincial nomination stage: approximately 3 to 9 months, varying significantly by province and stream — some provinces such as New Brunswick are faster, while Ontario and BC can be slower.

PR application after provincial nomination: approximately 6 months from IRCC submission (IRCC standard service standard for PNP-linked applications).

Non-Express Entry paper-based PNP streams: 12 to 24 months.

Total timeline for the Express Entry PNP route: typically 9–15 months end-to-end.

Canada PNP Fees 2026

The cost of applying for a Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) varies depending on the province and the applicant's family size. Provincial nomination fees can range from $0 to $1,500 CAD, while federal IRCC fees are payable after receiving a nomination. Applicants should verify the latest charges with the relevant provincial government and IRCC before submitting an application.

Common reasons for Canada PNP Application Rejection

The common reasons for Canada PNP application rejection are as follows:

• Misrepresentation of intent to reside in the nominating province (applying to one province while intending to move to another)
• Occupation not in provincial demand
• Insufficient provincial connection (no ties to the province through work, study, or family)
• Incomplete documentation or translation issues
• Points score below the province's minimum for that stream
• ECA not recognised

Should I apply for Canada PNP or Express Entry directly?

• PNP suits: applicants with mid-range CRS scores (400–500) who may not qualify for federal direct draws; those with specific provincial connections through work, study, or family; occupations in high provincial demand not prioritised federally.
• Express Entry direct draws suit: applicants with high CRS scores (470+) in priority categories such as STEM, healthcare, or French speakers; those without specific provincial ties.

Note: these routes are not mutually exclusive — a PNP nomination boosts your CRS score by 600 points, making an Express Entry ITA virtually certain in the next available draw.

How Y-Axis Can Help?

Y-Axis is one of the world’s leading authorities on Canadian immigration. Our experience and knowledge ensures your application meets all the criteria and has the highest chances of success.

Our end to end services include:

• Immigration documents checklist
• Complete application processing
• Forms, documentation & application filing
• Updates & follow up
• Resume Marketing services
• Relocation and post-landing support in Canada

The Canadian Provincial Nominee Program is a time-sensitive program that you must capitalize on immediately. Reach out to us to discover how you can take advantage of this.