How to Immigrate to Canada

Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and plateau at 500,000 in 2026 There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada and secure Canadian permanent residence, however, the Radidhery Team is committed to helping you keep things simple.

Easiest Ways to Immigrate to Canada

The easiest way to come to Canada will depend on your own unique profile or connections to the country. With Canadian immigration targets higher than ever, now is the time to start your immigration journey.
It should be noted that there is no one simple way to immigrate to Canada. While some programs may be easier for you to apply to, the process is long and involves many steps.

While immigrating to Canada does require a significant financial and emotional investment, the end result is worth it. Canada consistently ranks among the best countries for quality of life and is known for its positive attitude toward immigration.

These are the four most popular ways for overseas applicants to migrate to Canada:

#1 – Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s fastest and most popular immigration program. Candidates that apply through the Express Entry system can receive permanent residence status as soon as six months.

By 2025, Canada plans to invite half a million newcomers. Of which a large percentage will come through one of the three streams of Express Entry:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW);
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC); and
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

The Express Entry system involves submitting an online profile that is scored by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To submit an Express Entry profile, you must first be eligible under one of Canada’s above three federal streams. The Canadian government then issues invitations to apply for permanent residence to the highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool.

The Express Entry process may be the easiest way to come to Canada for certain candidates eligible to submit a profile. It can be difficult to meet the CRS cut-off in the federal draw. However, just by being in the pool of candidates, you could be nominated for permanent residence by a province.

The cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry is typically about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This does not include the settlement funds that must also be shown as part of the eligibility requirement, which will vary by family size.

#2 – Provincial Nominee Programs

Throughout the pandemic, provinces continued to nominate overseas workers for Canadian permanent residence. By 2025, Canada plans to welcome 117,500 new immigrants through PNPs.

There are countless nominee programs offered by Canada’s ten provinces and three territories. Each PNP has its own unique eligibility criteria. Many PNPs require a connection to the province to apply for nomination. However, there are some programs that invite overseas candidates solely based on their ability to respond to the province’s labour market needs.

Each PNP has its own application processing time. After receiving a nomination, PNP candidates must apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence. The time it takes to process the permanent residence application will depend on whether the PNP operates using the Express Entry system.

The cost of immigrating to Canada through a PNP is usually the same as Express Entry, with some additional fees, depending on the province. Certain provinces don’t charge a fee to process PNP applications, while others, such as Ontario, can charge up to $1,500 CAD.

#3 – Business Immigration

If you have experience managing or owning your own business, the easiest way to work and reside in Canada could be through a federal or provincial business immigration program.

The federal government offers immigration programs for individuals that plan to be self-employed in Canada or start up a business in Canada.

There are also several PNPs specific to overseas candidates interested in starting a business in a certain Canadian province.

Business immigration programs typically require a significant investment in the company you intend to start in Canada. The amount required will depend on the program you are interested in. Many PNPs have regional entrepreneur programs that require a lower investment for candidates interested in starting a business in a less populated area.

#4 – Sponsorship

If you have a qualifying family member that is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, family sponsorship will likely be the easiest way for you to reside in Canada.

Canada offers several immigration programs that give permanent residents and citizens the chance to bring their family members to the country. This year, Canada plans to welcome 105,000 new permanent residents through family sponsorship programs.

If your spouse, child, or grandchild is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, you may be eligible for family sponsorship.

Sponsoring a relative typically costs about $1,135 CAD. Additional fees will apply if the sponsor resides in or intends to reside in Quebec.

The processing time for a sponsorship application will depend on the family member who is sponsoring you. For spousal sponsorship, applications typically take about 12 months to process from start to finish.

Canadian Immigration Programs Overview

There are more than 80 pathways to immigrate to Canada! We will outline the broad categories of Canadian immigration in an effort to keep things simple for our readers.  

Immigration Tip

Discover your Canadian immigration options by completing our free online assessment tool. In one simple form, we will evaluate you for the dozens of immigration programs available and let you know which one is best for you.  

Economic and Business Immigration Options

Economic and business immigration options are for professionals who have skills that support the Canadian economy. Each program differs greatly in the qualifications required so no one-size-fits-all description is possible. 

Economic and business immigration categories include:

  • Provincial Nominee Programs
  • Express Entry
  • Quebec Immigration 
  • Investor Programs
  • Entrepreneur and Self-Employed Programs
  • Other federal classes of immigration like the Caregivers Program, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the Agri-Food Pilot are also options under the umbrella of economic immigration to Canada. 

Family Sponsorship

Family sponsorship is a category of immigration available to the family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

Family members eligible to sponsor include:

  • Spouse or common-law/conjugal partner
  • Dependent child (adopted or biological) 
  • Parents and grandparents 

In some circumstances, you may be eligible to sponsor other family members outside the above-mentioned categories. If you have no other eligible relatives to sponsor you may sponsor the following family members:

  • Orphaned brother or sister
  • Orphaned nephew or niece
  • Orphaned grandchild

Humanitarian and Refugee Immigration

Canada has an international reputation as a leader in accepting new refugees and other immigrants for humanitarian and compassionate reasons. A significant portion of Canada’s annual immigration target is dedicated to admitting refugees.

How Much Money do You Need to Immigrate to Canada?

The cost of immigrating to Canada is generally about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This amount does not include the settlement funds that many candidates must show to be eligible for Canadian immigration; this amount will vary by family size, starting at around $13,000 CAD for a single applicant. If a candidate is applying through a provincial program, additional fees may apply. Proof of settlement funds is not required for those with a Canadian job offer or who are applying under the Canadian Experience Class.

All forms of business immigration require significant investment in Canada. It might require the applicant to have invested in a Canadian company or require an applicant to make an interest-free loan to the federal or provincial government.

In most cases, you do not provide financial information to sponsor a spouse or dependent child. If you are sponsoring other family members like a parent or grandparent, there is a financial requirement that will need to be met in order to be eligible to apply.

If you are applying under humanitarian and compassionate grounds applications, no financial requirements exist. The only time financial information is required under this category of immigration is if the refugee is a privately sponsored applicant. In that case, the Canadian group sponsoring the refugee must demonstrate that they have raised sufficient funds to sponsor the resettlement of the refugee candidate.

What are the Requirements for Canadian Immigration?

Each immigration program has its own minimum eligibility requirements. It is important to verify your eligibility prior to applying.

When submitting an application, the Canadian government will request various documents to verify your work experience, education, identity, and criminal and medical background. The types of required documents depend on the program to which you are applying.

In order to determine the documents, you will require, first you have to determine which immigration program is best for you!

What is the Fastest Way to become a permanent resident in Canada?

The fastest method of immigrating to Canada is through Express Entry. Express Entry processes most applications in six months or less.  

What is the Maximum Age for Canadian Immigration?

There is no specific age limit requirement for any Canadian immigration program. That said, in most categories of economic immigration, applicants 25-35 receive the maximum points. That doesn’t mean older applicants cannot be selected. Having substantial work experience, high language proficiency, connections to Canada, and advanced education can easily offset any points lost for age in economic immigration. 

Family sponsorship and humanitarian and refugee immigration to Canada do not use a ranking system and therefore do not have any penalties for age whatsoever. 

Which is the best pathway for me?

With over 80 pathways of immigration, Canada has a range of options for all types of applicants. That said, moving to a new country requires some effort. Some immigration programs require higher qualifications and more documents than others. Using the services of a Canadian immigration lawyer can greatly assist in the immigration process from start to finish. 

Canadian immigration lawyers are the point of contact with the government for your application. They handle the submission of your application and advise you on the documents you need, the ones you might want to include, and the documents you should not provide. 

To learn more about how the skilled legal professionals and lawyers at the Radidhery Law Firm can help you, check out our Canadian immigration services page.  

Do I Need a Job Offer to Immigrate to Canada?

No. The vast majority of all Canadian permanent residents do not have a job offer in Canada when they apply. While some Canadian immigration programs require applicants to have a Canadian job offer, there is a range of programs and options available to foreign nationals without an offer of employment in Canada. Here are two main immigration programs that do not require a Canadian job offer:

1. Express Entry

The Express Entry system is responsible for welcoming over 100,000 newcomers to Canada each year. If you are applying for an Express Entry program, it is likely that you will not need a job offer. In fact, about 90% of Express Entry candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency without holding a Canadian job offer, according to IRCC’s Year-End Report 2019.

Express Entry requires applicants to have adequate work and educational experience, as well as language skills. However, you will not lose points for not having an offer from a Canadian employer.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

There are also many Provincial Nominee Programs that do not require a job offer to apply.

Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan, will instead use Expression of Interest (EOI) points-based systems – similar to Express Entry – to determine which candidates will be invited to apply for nomination.

Other provinces, such as Ontario or Nova Scotia, will invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool to fill specific demographic or labour market gaps. That means, just by having an Express Entry profile in the pool of candidates, you have the opportunity to be invited to settle permanently in a Canadian province.

So if you want to immigrate to Canada and do not yet have a valid job offer, don’t panic! There are many options available to become a permanent resident do not include a job offer requirement.

What is a Permanent Resident?

A Canadian permanent resident is a citizen of another country who has been granted permission to live in Canada as a permanent resident. Once a person has permanent resident status, they have the right to live and work anywhere in the country. Permanent residents receive a significant number of benefits in Canada, including access to healthcare and social services, the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, and protection under Canadian law. As well, after being a permanent resident for a certain amount of time, permanent residents are eligible to apply to become Canadian citizens! Notably, Canadian permanent residents do not have the right to vote in Canadian elections.

What is a Citizen?

Canadian citizens have many rights and privileges in Canada. Citizens have access to healthcare, social services, support under the law. A citizen can live, work, and study, anywhere in Canada, and has the right to vote in Canadian elections. As well, citizenship cannot be revoked or removed. All people born in Canada automatically qualify for Canadian citizenship. As well, foreign nationals can become naturalized Canadian citizens by going through the proper application process with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Can I Work Anywhere in Canada?

Once a person has Canadian permanent resident status, they have the authorization to live and work anywhere in Canada. If a foreign national does not have Canadian permanent resident status, then they must have the proper authorization to work in Canada. Usually, this authorization comes in the form of a Canadian work permit.

Can I Bring My Family to Canada?

Certain immigration programs allow foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada with their family members. However, the family members able to accompany a foreign national varies depending on the immigration program. For example, those immigrating through Canada’s Express Entry system are eligible to include their spouse and dependent children on the application, but not their parents. However, Canada has family sponsorship programs enabling Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and parents/grandparents. In order to determine whether or not your family members may join you, first you must determine which immigration pathway you choose to pursue!

Why is Canada Looking for Immigrants?

Canadian cities and rural areas depend on newcomers to keep their populations growing and to support their labour markets. Canada also has an aging population, and without a robust system of immigration, Canada would be on a similar trajectory to that of Japan in the 1990s. But unlike Japan, Canada embraced immigration and that has allowed us to maintain a large proportion of the population in prime working age, between 25 and 54. This would not be possible without mass immigration to Canada.

Canada Express Entry Guide

Introduced in 2015, Canada’s Express Entry system organizes immigration applications for the different immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system. To be considered for these programs, a candidate first submit an Express Entry profile to the pool of candidates. All Express Entry profiles are ranked against one another through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which assigns each candidate a CRS score out of a total of 1200 points.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to organize and process applications for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada and acquire Canadian permanent residence status. The system manages three main federal economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

In order to submit a profile through the Express Entry system, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three federal programs.

How can I apply for Express Entry?

Applying to Express Entry is a three-step process. The first step is to submit your profile which requires the following documents:

  1. Language test results
  2. Educational credential assessment report
  3. A passport or travel document

Secondly, based on your profile, you will receive a score and become part of the pool of candidates who have created their Express Entry profile. After you receive your score and join the candidate pool, it’s essential to regularly update your information and seek opportunities to enhance your score, thus improving your chances of receiving and invitation.

An finally, if you are chosen, you will be issued an invitation to apply  for Canadian permanent residence. To complete this application, you’ll need to submit a more comprehensive set of documents that support the information you provided. This includes reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and the results of a medical examination.

Who is eligible for Express Entry?

Individuals with university or college degrees, skilled work experience and moderate proficiency in English and/or French are ideal Express Entry candidates.

The easiest way to find out if you are eligible is to use our free online assessment tool.

What are the requirements for Express Entry?

In general, to be eligible to apply to Express Entry as a skilled worker, you must:

  • Have at least one year, in the last 10 years of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled occupation. If you have work experience in foreign countries or in Canada, read our article titled ‘Proof of Work Experience for Express Entry‘ to find out which documents support your experience and how they are verified by IRCC.
  • Be able to demonstrate on an approved language test a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) seven in either English or French
  • Completed post-secondary education that is assessed against Canadian standards with an Education Credential Assessment

These are the minimum requirements to apply to Canada’s Express Entry system as a skilled worker. Meeting these requirements doesn’t mean you will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates with stronger profiles will always be selected over candidates that simply meet the minimum requirement.

How much does Express Entry cost?

The cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry is about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. The breakdown of costs includes,

  1. Language tests: Average cost – $300
  2. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Average cost – $200
  3. Biometrics: $85/person
  4. Government fees: $1,325/adult & $225/child
  5. Medical examination fees: average cost – $450/adult & $250/child
  6. Police clearance certificates: average cost – $100/country

No government fees are required to submit your initial Express Entry profile. The fees are only requested when you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. In addition to the government processing fees, you may also need to pay provincial immigration fees if you apply through a PNP.

You should also be aware that unless you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class program or have a valid arranged employment offer, you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support your resettlement in Canada. These settlement funds are not fees paid to the government but you must have access to them to be approved for a permanent residence visa. The amounts per family size are mentioned in the table below:

Number of Family MembersFunds Required
1$13,757
2$17,127
3$21,055
4$25,564
5$28,994
6$32,700
7$36,407
For each additional family member$3,706
Required amount as of January, 2024

Do I need a job offer for Express Entry?

You do not require a job offer for Express Entry. The vast majority of candidates selected for Express Entry do not have a formal Canadian job offer.

If you do have a valid Canadian job offer, this can add up to 200 points to your CRS score.

How long does Express Entry take?

Express Entry can take as little as six months to process, from submission of the Express Entry profile to the issuance of a permanent resident visa. However, not all cases will proceed this quickly. Your Express Entry profile will remain active in the pool of candidates for 12 months if you do not receive an invitation to apply. If after 12 months you have not received an invitation, you are welcome to resubmit your profile and remain in the pool. To break it down further:

  • Your profile will remain valid for 12 months in the pool of candidates 
  • Upon issuance of the ITA, you will have 60 days to provide the requested full application of documents
  • Once the immigration authorities receive your complete application, your permanent resident visa, IRCC may process your application in about six months

How are Express Entry points calculated?

When people refer to Canada’s “Express Entry points”, they are usually referring to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Canada uses the CRS score to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool using a series of factors, including:

  • Age;
  • Level of education;
  • Proficiency in French or English;
  • Foreign and Canadian work experience;
  • Spouse or common law partner factors
  • Connections to Canada

For an estimate of your CRS score, use our CRS calculator tool.

Will the CRS score go down?

It is impossible to predict how the CRS score will fluctuate in the future. No lawyer or consultant can predict this, nor can they guarantee that a person will successfully receive permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

Further, with more and more provinces selecting profiles from the Express Entry pool, a candidate’s CRS score is losing its importance. Instead, Provincial Nominee Programs look for candidates that can fill local labour market or demographic gaps. This means that candidates with in-demand skills or work experience can still succeed in the pool of candidates, even with a low CRS score.

The Canadian government has also hinted at moving to occupation-based Express Entry draws, which could make the CRS score obsolete.

There are several options for increasing a person’s CRS score or improve their profiles to increase chances to be selected for Canada’s Express Entry. To learn more about your eligibility for Express Entry or PNP, complete our free online assessment form.

What is the ideal Express Entry candidate?

There is no one-size-fits-all type of profile that is eligible for Express Entry. Candidates who enter the pool receive a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score. Those who rank higher, are more likely to receive an invitation to apply. Selection factors that can influence your CRS score are language proficiency, your age, your level of work experience, education, and Canadian connections. 

Ideal Express Entry candidates would meet the following requirements:

  • Be under 30 years old 
  • Hold at least two Bachelor’s degrees or a Master’s degree 
  • Be able to demonstrate moderate to high English and/or French language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level nine or higher)
  • Have at least three years of skilled work experience

Other factors that can really boost your CRS score can include:

  • Higher language proficiency in English and/or French
  • Bilingualism in French and English
  • A Master’s degree or Ph.D. education
  • Canadian work or educational experience
  • A Canadian brother or sister currently residing in Canada
  • An arranged employment offer from a Canadian company 
  • A nomination from a provincial nominee program

What is the difference between Express Entry eligibility points and CRS score?

To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), candidates must first score at least 67 on the FSW eligibility points grid. Once an FSW candidate, or any other Express Entry candidate, enters the Express Entry pool, they will receive a CRS score. Canada uses the CRS score rank all candidates against each other in the pool. Approximately every two weeks, the Government of Canada holds an Express Entry draw, setting a minimum CRS score cut-off. Those in the pool with a CRS score above the cut-off will receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Is there a minimum score for Express Entry?

The minimum CRS score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence changes from draw to draw. For this reason, it is important to take steps to improve your ranking in the pool of candidates to increase your chances of receiving an invitation.

How are my language points calculated?

Express Entry language points are based on what a candidate scores on one of Canada’s official English or French exams. If a candidate has a strong proficiency in both French or English, they can maximize the number of points received under the language factor of their CRS score.

How does my IELTS score affect my CRS score?

Your IELTS or CELPIP score can have a significant impact on your CRS score. Scoring at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 9 in each area of the exam can double your skill transferability factor points, which can considerably increase your CRS score.

Express Entry candidates may demonstrate their proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages – French or English. If you have a stronger proficiency in French, you may choose to take the French exam instead. In this case, you do not need to take the IELTS or CELPIP exam. Instead, you should aim to score a minimum of CLB 9 on each area of the French exam to maximize your language points.

Does my spouse or common law partner, need to take the IELTS exam?

If you are submitting an Express Entry profile through the FSW program with an accompanying spouse or common law, they may need to take a language exam, such as the IELTS, depending on your FSW score. If your spouse or common law partner scores a minimum of CLB 4 in each area of one of IRCC’s designated language exams, you can claim an additional 5 points toward your FSW score. If your score is below 67, these points could help render you eligible to submit a profile.

Your spouse or common law partner’s language results may also help to increase your CRS score, and improve your chances to be selected.

Why is my Express Entry score zero?

If your Express Entry score is zero, it means your profile does not meet the eligibility requirements. This can occur right away after submitting your Express Entry profile, or after your profile has been in the pool for months. Some common reasons a profile becomes no longer eligible include:

  • Expired language results or ECA report;
  • No longer meeting minimum settlement fund requirements;
  • Losing eligibility points toward the age factor (for Federal Skilled Workers)
  • No longer meeting work experience requirements (less than one year of work experience in the past 10 years);
  • Having less than one year of work experience in your primary NOC code

What CRS score is required for Canadian PR?

There is no specific CRS score that will guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. The CRS cut-off is always fluctuating Government of Canada does not release the CRS cut-off targeted ahead of each Express Entry draw.

Why is the CRS cut-off so high?

The CRS cut-off for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific Express Entry draws due to the additional points given to candidates with a nomination on their profile.

Express Entry candidates may receive 600 points toward their CRS score upon receiving a provincial nomination.

CRS score trend

In 2021, Canada alternated between holding Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. In 2021, the CRS cut-off in CEC draws reached record lows. In February 2021, the Canadian government invited over 27,000 CEC candidates with CRS scores as low as 75.  The CRS cut-off for PNP draws ranged between the 600-800s. The high CRS cut-off in PNP draws is due to the additional 600 points given to PNP candidates. That means that, prior to receiving a nomination, the lowest ranking PNP candidate had a CRS score of less than 100.

Is 438 a good CRS score?

The lowest CRS score selected in 2019 was 438 – however, there is no guarantee that having this score will result in an invitation. Whether you receive an invitation from the federal or provincial government will depend on various external factors, in addition to your own individual profile.

A CRS score in the mid to high 400s is typically considered a good score, which may help your chances of being selected by a province.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, provinces have continued to invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool, sometimes targeting a minimum CRS cut-off, sometimes only targeting other factors such as work experience, or the candidates score on their own points grid.

Since the CRS cut-off cannot be predicted ahead of each draw score, it is important to take measures to maximize your CRS score wherever possible.

CRS score history

For a history of past draws and CRS cut-offs, visit our dedicated Express Entry draw page.

How to calculate your CRS score

To calculate your CRS score, you first need to understand how Canada awards points to Express Entry candidates through the Comprehensive Ranking System. You can then calculate your points against each factor to determine how you rank in the pool.

To receive an estimate of your CRS score, fill out our free CRS score calculator tool.

What is an Express Entry profile?

An Express Entry profile is an electronic form submitted by eligible candidates that includes personal details such as age, work experience, education, ability in French and English, family details, and ties to Canada.

Using these details, Canada ranks profiles in the pool of candidates against one another and determine who receives an invitation.

How to create an Express Entry profile

To create an Express Entry profile, you must first create an IRCC secure account. If a representative is submitting a profile on your behalf, they will submit the profile through their Authorized Paid Representatives Portal.

After creating an account, you or your representative will need to fill out an eligibility questionnaire to determine if you qualify for an Express Entry program. If you are eligible, the next step is to fill out an online form with your information, including details on your age, work experience, education, and language test results. Once the form is submitted, the Express Entry system will automatically determine your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and which program you are eligible under.

What language results are required for Express Entry?

Most Express Entry programs require a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in each area of the French or English language exam (band 6 in each area of the IELTS exam).

There are some exceptions to this minimum requirement for candidates applying under the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, or CEC applicants with a primary occupation in NOC skill type B.

Which ECA report do I need for Express Entry?

The ECA report required for Express Entry must be issued for immigration purposes. To read more about Education Credential Assessment reports, visit our dedicated page.

How will a job offer affect my Express Entry profile?

Adding a valid Canadian job offer may increase your Express Entry CRS score by 50-200 points. In most cases, a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for these points to be awarded.

An informal job offer will not award any additional points to your Express Entry profile and should not be mentioned in the application.

How do I find my NOC code?

You can find your NOC code by searching the NOC matrix for your job title or industry. It is important to make sure the majority of the main duties listed on the NOC you choose match your job description.

For a full guide on how to find your NOC code, visit our dedicated page.

Why am I ineligible to submit an Express Entry profile?

To submit a profile, you must meet the minimum requirements for one of the Federal Express Entry programs. If you are ineligible to submit a profile, it may be because you do not meet the minimum program requirements, or have less than the required minimum proof of funds.

How can I check the status of my Express Entry profile?

To check the status of your Express Entry profile, you must log into your IRCC account and click “View the applications you submitted”, then “Express Entry profile status”, and “View your profile”.

How long is an Express Entry profile valid?

An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. However, if become ineligible for Express Entry while you are in the pool, your profile may be removed before 12 months has passed.

What is an Invitation to Apply?

An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an invitation to submit an application for permanent residence to certain people who have submitted an Express Entry profile. To accept an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must submit a full application for permanent residence within 60 days of receiving the invitation.

What happens if I receive an Invitation to Apply?

If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must submit an application for permanent residence within 60 days. If you miss the deadline or decline, your ITA will disappear, and you may not receive another invitation.

How to obtain an Express Entry police certificate

Each country has different instructions on how to obtain a police clearance certificate (PCC) for Express Entry. To receive country-specific instructions on how to obtain a PCC, visit IRCC’s webpage.

What work experience proof is required for Express Entry?

To provide proof for each period of work experience on your Express Entry profile, you must secure a reference letter from each of your employers from the past 10 years. Visit on page on how to write a reference letter for Canadian immigration, and what documents can be used in place of a reference letter if needed.

How to obtain a medical certificate for Express Entry

To obtain a medical report for Express Entry, you must see an IRCC panel physician. For more information on this requirement, visit our Canada Immigration Medical Exam Report page.

How to demonstrate proof of settlement funds for Express Entry

To demonstrate proof of funds for Express Entry, applicants must submit letters from financial institutes where they keep their money. The letter must include the following:

  • Printed on the financial institution’s letterhead
  • Include the financial institution’s contact information
  • Include the name of the applicant
  • List any outstanding debts or loans
  • Include the following information for each account:
    • Account numbers
    • Date of opening
    • Current balance of each account
    • Average balance for the previous six months

What’s better: PNP or Express Entry?

If you do not have enough CRS points to be invited in a federal draw, a PNP may be an option to increase your chances.

Most PNPs require an applicant to have an Express Entry profile. Since an Express Entry profile is free to submit, you don’t stand to lose anything by creating one.

If you are selected in a federal Express Entry draw without a PNP, this is a better option as it will bypass the need for additional provincial processing time.

The best way to determine whether a PNP or Express Entry is better for you is to complete our free online immigration assessment.

Can I apply for Express Entry and PNP at the same time?

If you are applying through a PNP, you will eventually need to apply to the federal government for permanent residence status. How you submit your permanent residence application will depend on whether your PNP is aligned with the Express Entry system (‘Enhanced’).

If your PNP is Enhanced, you can submit your permanent residence application through the Express Entry system for expedited processing. Candidates who receive a nomination under an Express Entry-aligned, or Enhanced, PNP will receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the subsequent draw in the Express Entry pool. The IRCC aims for a 6-month processing time, but current processing times vary and we recommend you check the IRCC’s website at the time of applying for the most up-to-date information.

If your PNP is ‘Base’, you will need to submit it through the non-Express Entry permanent residence portal. Base PNPs operate outside of the Express Entry system and are subject to the standard PNP processing time, typically much slower than Enhanced PNP applications.

How does a Provincial Nominee Program affect my Express Entry profile?

Receiving a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program could increase your Express Entry CRS score by 600 points. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Programs that use the Express Entry system

Several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), referred to as ‘Enhanced’ PNPs, utilize the Express Entry system. Being nominated for permanent residence through an Enhanced PNP allows you to apply through the Express Entry system. Some Provincial Nominee Programs that follow this approach include:

  • Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
  • Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
  • Ontario Human Capital stream
  • PEI PNP Express Entry
  • Saskatchewan Express Entry
  • Yukon Express Entry
  • Alberta Express Entry
  • British Columbia Skills Immigration
  • Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
  • New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker Category
  • Northwest Territories Express Entry

Will Express Entry close?

Unlike some programs, which open and close application intake throughout the year, Express Entry remains open for candidates to submit an Express Entry profile year-round.

Is Express Entry the same as permanent residency?

Express Entry is a system manages applications for permanent residency through three main immigration programs.

What is an Express Entry draw?

Approximately every two weeks, Canada issues a round of invitations to candidates with a profile in the Express Entry pool that meet a specified CRS cut-off.  Candidates that receive an invitation in an Express Entry draw may apply for Canadian permanent residence status.

When are Express Entry draws?

While there is no set schedule for Express Entry draws, they are typically held every two weeks, usually on a Wednesday or Tuesday.

What type of draws are usually held?

There are a few different types of Express Entry draws that usually take place. Typically there is a mix of either all-program draws, program-specific draws, or category-based draws. Currently, there is no set number for each type of draw nor a set frequency for each type of draw.

  • All program draws: General rounds of invitations invite the top-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 Express Entry Programs. The 3 programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
  • Program-specific rounds of invitations: Program-specific rounds invite the top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, the IRCC often has draws specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where only candidates who are eligible for a PNP are invited.
  • Category-based rounds of invitations: The Minister of Immigration will establish specific categories to meet specific economic goals across Canada. Once the categories are established, the top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category will receive an invitation.

What is the Express Entry tie-breaking rule?

The tie-breaking rule is a date used by IRCC to determine which candidates with the same CRS score receive an ITA. IRCC uses the tie-breaking rule if there are multiple profiles with the same score as the CRS cut-off. This helps to control the number of ITAs issued in each draw. If a candidate’s score is the same as the CRS cut-off, they will only receive an ITA if they submitted a profile before the tie-breaking rule.

What is an Express Entry profile number?

Once you have submitted an Express Entry profile, you will receive a confirmation letter that contains your Express Entry profile number. The number will be indicated in the top left-hand corner and should start with “E”.

Why is the Express Entry login not working?

The IRCC online portal often experiences technical issues which can prevent someone from accessing their Express Entry profile. These issues can often be solved by clearing your browser cache, or by using a different web browser.

Can I apply Express Entry without work experience?

No, all economic programs managed by the Express Entry pathway require at least one year of skilled work experience to apply.

Express Entry news

To keep up to date on the latest Express Entry news, subscribe to our Canadim Immigration Newsletters.

Why is my Express Entry application taking so long?

The service-standard processing time for Express Entry applications is 6 months. However, there are many factors that may delay an applicant’s processing time, including: Country of residence, Type of application; and Completeness. For more information on processing time, please visit our dedicated blog post: Canadian Immigration Processing Times: How Long Does it Take?

Important Note: The processing times do not include the time it takes to submit an Express Entry profile, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and prepare the final application for submission. If you’re looking to find out the estimated duration for the entire Express Entry process, starting from the preparation stage, please read our guide How Long Does Express Entry Take in Canada?

What is the maximum age for Express Entry?

There is no maximum age for Express Entry applicants. Applicants 20-29 receive the highest points for age. If you are significantly older than 35, but you have a high level of education or connections in Canada, these can easily overcome points lost for age.

Can I apply to Express Entry twice?

No, you cannot have two Express Entry applications for the same applicant at the same time. However, if you have a spouse or common law partner, you can submit an application under your spouse or common law partner’s profile if they are eligible. Therefore one applicant cannot have multiple Express Entry profiles but you can have two profiles for the same family, in some circumstances.

If after 12 months you are not invited to apply, you can resubmit your profile and stay in the Express Entry pool for an additional 12 months. This can be repeated as many times as necessary.

How to fix mistakes in your Express Entry Profile

Express Entry uses a two-step system to manage the intake of immigrants:

  1. The Profile: Interested candidates create an Express Entry profile to show off their skills and experience. If they meet the eligibility requirements, they will be accepted into the Express Entry pool of candidates.
  2. The Application: The most competitive profiles from the Express Entry pool will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

When Can I Make Changes?

Good news, if you’ve submitted your Express Entry profile and you have not yet received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, then you’re in the clear to make changes! You can fix mistakes or even add new documents (for example, if you retake your IELTS exam and get a better score). But there are specific steps to follow. Here they are:

  1. Visit your Express Entry account welcome page. Next select the option that says, “What would you like to do today?”
  2. Next, head to the section that says, “View my submitted applications or profiles” and click on the button that reads “Check status and messages.”
  3. Near the bottom of the “Application/profile details” screen, you’ll see a button that says, “View submitted application.”
  4. Almost there, on the “Express Entry profile” page, hit the button that says, “Update form.” Make sure you select the appropriate section for modification.
  5. Make all the necessary changes (hopefully not too many), scroll to the bottom of the pages, then click “Save and exit.”
  6. All finished with your profile update? Look for the button that reads “Continue” near the bottom of the page. You’re now free to submit the newly modified version of your Express Entry profile. Pretty painless, right?

Quick reminder: Every time you enter a form and click on “Save and exit,” you’ll also notice a “Revert changes” button. It will be there even if no changes were made. Don’t panic. If you haven’t made any changes, hit the “Revert changes” button to make sure that the electronic system knows no changes were made.

Please note that if you make changes that affect your eligibility or your CRS score, the system will update your profile to reflect these changes within 24 hours.

When Can’t I Make Changes

Now for the bad news—there are a few situations in which you cannot make changes to your profile.

1.  Your profile is ineligible

If your profile doesn’t meet the criteria for one of Canada’s Express Entry programs, it will be refused and you cannot update it. How do you know if you’ve been found ineligible? That’s easy. If you log onto your Express Entry profile and you only have the option to “View profile,” it means your profile has been reviewed and refused. The system will state that your profile was ineligible.

But don’t give up yet. You still have one option. You won’t be able to update your profile, but you can still submit a new profile. However, if you were considered not eligible based on your qualifications, you should probably wait until you’ve increased your eligibility before submitting another application. On your second application, be certain to enter and review all of the necessary information carefully to avoid any mistakes.

2.  Your profile has received an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your Express Entry profile receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence then all the information entered into the profile becomes locked in place. While you can technically amend the information when preparing your final application, you should try to avoid this. If you make any changes to your application which makes you ineligible, your application will be refused. As well, the immigration officer handling your file reserves the right to request more information about any discrepancies between the original profile and the final application.

A note on misrepresentation: Lying or providing false information on an immigration application is a serious offense. If a person is caught doing this they may be charged with misrepresentation, resulting in a 5-year ban from submitting any applications for Canadian immigration.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is ideal for candidates who have recent Canadian work experience and are seeking permanent residence Canada. CEC is also one of the fastest routes to Canadian permanent residence, taking as little as three to four months to process! 

Get started

Find out if you are eligible to apply for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or any other Canadian immigration program today! Take our free online assessment to get started.

What is the Canadian Experience Class program?

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is an immigration stream under the Express Entry system in Canada, specifically designed for certain temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates who have already gained skilled work experience in Canada. This program aims to help these individuals transition from temporary to permanent residence status.

CEC is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates. Applicants who have competitive CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Who is eligible for Canadian Experience Class Program?

In order to be eligible for CEC, a candidate must have at least 12-months of full-time (or an equivalent amount of part-time), skilled work experience in Canada. The Canadian work experience must have been acquired within the previous three years from the date of the application.

CEC is not an option for foreign nationals who do not have recent Canadian work experience.

Canadian Experience Class requirements

To count your 12 months of Canadian work experience towards your CEC application, it must meet the following conditions:

  1. Be obtained in Canada within the 36 months before the date of submission of the electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
  2. Your work experience in Canada can be classified into one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3, based on your training, education, experience, and job essential duties.
  3. Be lawfully obtained, paid work experience in Canada.

An applicant cannot count work experience obtained while engaged in full-time studies in Canada.

In addition to the Canadian experience requirement, CEC has several other eligibility criteria which must be met in order to submit:

  1. Language: Reach a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test for NOC skill level 0 or A jobs. Reach a CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
  2. Residence in Canada: Intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If a candidate fulfills these criteria, they can create an Express Entry profile for the Canadian Experience Class program. However, it’s important to remember that meeting Canada’s fundamental admissibility criteria, including clean criminal records and satisfactory medical conditions, is also essential, as certain offenses or health issues may lead to inadmissibility.

How to calculate your Canadian Experience Class CRS points

Express Entry holds rounds of invitations and invites CEC candidates based on their CRS scores.

Can I apply to the Canadian Experience Class program from outside of Canada?

Yes. As long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements for CEC as mentioned above, you can apply from anywhere in the world.  

Is proof of funds required for Canadian Experience Class?

Proof of funds is not a requirement of the CEC program. You will not be required to provide any documentation regarding your finances. 

Does internship experience in Canada count towards my Canadian Experience Class application?

It depends. If your paid internship is not part of your education, then you may count it towards the Express Entry work experience requirement.  

Beyond the CEC: Discover More Paths in Canada’s Express Entry

If you haven’t acquired skilled work experience in Canada or don’t meet the minimum requirements for the CEC program, there are more available options.

The Express Entry program in Canada includes two more immigration streams: the Federal Skilled Workers Program, suited for skilled professionals with foreign work experience, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, designed for skilled tradespeople.

Additionally, Express Entry also offers specific category invitations based on various criteria. The current categories for these targeted invitations include individuals with French-language proficiency, healthcare occupations, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations, trade occupations, transport occupations, and agriculture and agri-food occupations.

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs contained within Canada’s Express Entry system for processing immigration applications. The FSW program allows candidates with foreign work experience and no connections to Canada to apply for permanent residency.

Canada immigration opens numerous opportunities for skilled professionals worldwide, and the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program is a prime gateway for those seeking to contribute their expertise and build a future in Canada.

What is the FSW program?

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates who wish to settle permanently in Canada. Unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, Federal Skilled Workers are not required to have Canadian work experience to enter the Express Entry pool. Instead, candidates must meet a minimum points requirement based on factors such as work experience, language ability, and education. Once in the pool, applicants with the most competitive CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Who is eligible to apply under the FSW program?

In order to qualify for the FSWP, a candidate must meet certain minimum requirements regarding years of experience, level of education, age, and English or French language proficiency:

  • Work Experience
    • At least 12-months of continuous, full-time, skilled work experience completed within the previous 10 years (or an equal amount in part-time experience).
      • Skilled work experience refers to experience classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
  • Language Proficiency
    • Reach a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
  • Education
    • A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in foreign education.
  • Financial Support
    • Enough funds to support themselves and any spouse and/or children in their settlement in Canada.
  • Residence in Canada
    • Must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If a candidate meets the requirements listed above, they must also demonstrate that they score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid.

If a candidate meets these requirements, they will be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile for the program. However, candidates should note that they must meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offences and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.

How can I apply under the FSW program?

Interested candidates must submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submitting an Express Entry profile does not guarantee a candidate will receive Canadian permanent residence. Only after submitting an Express Entry profile will a candidate be assigned a CRS score and be considered in future Express Entry draws for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

When submitting your Express Entry profile, an FSW candidate will need to provide the following documents:

  • Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
    In order to claim points for education, an FSW candidate must provide a valid ECA report attesting to the value of foreign education by Canadian standards. There are five organizations in Canada authorized to issue ECA reports. This is not required for educational credentials obtained from a Canadian educational institution.
  • Language Proficiency Test Results
    All candidates under the Express Entry programs must provide results from an approved language test taken within the previous two years. Accepted tests for English include the IELTS exam, and the CELPIP exam (only available in Canada). Accepted tests for French include the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).
  • Identification Documents
    Candidates will be required to provide information from identification documents. Ideally, a candidate and all accompanying family members should possess passports valid for travel.

If a candidate is successful in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, they will move onto the second stage of the application process. In this second stage, the applicant will have 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). This application requires further documentation.

Since the Express Entry system launched in 2015, the lowest ranking FSW candidate to receive an ITA held a CRS score of 413 points. If an applicant’s CRS score is below this score, they should actively pursue options for improving their score.

How long does it take to process an FSW application?

A Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Express Entry profile will remain valid in the pool of candidates for a period of 12 months.

If, while in the pool of candidates, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to submit a full application and documentation to the Government of Canada.

The standard processing time for Express Entry applications is six months from the time the application is received by the Canadian authorities to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.

Additional factors may affect your processing time, including:

  • The complexity and/or completeness of your application
  • The ease with which the officer can confirm the information provided in your application
  • Adding an additional family member to your application

Am I required to show settlement funds for FSW?

Federal Skilled Workers are required to demonstrate that they can provide for themselves and their families once they settle in Canada.

The funds required for settlement depend on the number of family members included in your application. Please refer to the below table for the amount required for your family size.

Number of Family MembersFunds Required
1$13,757
2$17,127
3$21,055
4$25,564
5$28,994
6$32,700
7$36,407
For each additional family member$3,706
Required amount as of January, 2024

For more information on what is accepted as proof of settlement funds, visit our Settlement Funds page.

If you are not able to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, you can still apply as a Federal Skilled Worker if you first secure an offer of employment from a Canadian company.

What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?

The government processing fees must be remitted when submitting an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker program. These fees are separate from a candidate’s settlement funds, which must be demonstrated as part of the Federal Skilled Worker eligibility requirements.

The processing fees to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program are as follows:

ApplicationProcessing fee in $ CAD
Principal applicant (Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee)$1365
Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (with right of permanent residence fee)$1365
A dependent child under the age of 22 who is not a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental conditionAdd $230 each per dependent
Last updated May 10, 2022

Do I need to provide language test results for the FSW program?

To apply under the FSW program, candidates must provide results from an approved language exam. To meet the minimum eligibly requirements, Federal Skilled Workers must score at least a CLB 7 or higher in each area of the language exam.

Federal Skilled Worker program eligible occupations

In order to be eligible for the FSW, you must have at least one year of work experience in an occupation skill type A, B, or 0. For a complete list of eligible occupations, please see below:

How do I calculate my CRS points?

In order to submit a program under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must meet a minimum score of 67 on the FSW points grid. To calculate your Federal Skilled Worker score, you can check your points against the grids below.

For a free assessment of your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, complete our free online assessment form today!

FactorPoints
Education25
Language Proficiency28
Age12
Work Experience15
Arranged Employment10
Adaptability10
Minimum Pass Score67
Level of EducationPoints
Doctoral (PhD) level25
Master’s level23
Two or more post-secondary degrees – at least one for a program of at least 3 years22
Post-secondary degree – 3 years or longer21
Post-secondary degree – 2 years19
Post-secondary degree – 1 year15
Secondary school5
Maximum

25

Level of EducationPoints
Doctoral (PhD) level25
Master’s level23
Two or more post-secondary degrees – at least one for a program of at least 3 years22
Post-secondary degree – 3 years or longer21
Post-secondary degree – 2 years19
Post-secondary degree – 1 year15
Secondary school5
Maximum25
AgePoints
Under 180
18-3512
3611
3710
389
398
407
416
425
434
443
452
461
47 and older0
Maximum12
Arranged EmploymentPoints
IfAnd 
You currently work in Canada on a temporary work permit.Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued)

and

IRCC issued your work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Your employer would have applied for the LMIA, which you then had to attach to your application to IRCC

and

You are working for an employer named on your work permit who has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.		10
You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement under an international agreement (such as, the North America Free Trade Agreement) or a federal-provincial agreement.Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued)

and

Your current employer has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker

and

You have been working for that employer for at least 1 continuous year, full-time or part-time equivalent.		10
You currently do not have a work permit, or do not plan to work in Canada before you get a permanent resident visa.

OR

You are currently working in Canada and a different employer has offered to give you a permanent full-time job

OR

You are currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but not under an international or federal-provincial agreement.		An employer has made you a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker

and

The employer has a positive Labour Impact Assessment from ESDC		10
Maximum10
AdaptabilityPoints
Your past work in Canada

You did at least one year of full-time work in Canada (NOC Skill Type 0, A or B) with a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		10
Your spouse or partner’s full-time work in Canada

Your spouse or common-law partner did at least one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		5
Your past study in Canada

You finished at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, and stayed in good academic standing during that time.		5
Your spouse or partner’s past study in Canada

Your spouse or common-law partner finished at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, and stayed in good academic standing during that time.		5
Arranged Employment in Canada

You earned points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment		5
Your spouse or partner’s language level

Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (IELTS Listening 4.0, Reading 4.5, Writing 3.5, Speaking 4.0)		5
Relatives in Canada

You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is living in Canada AND 18 years or older AND a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, either a:

    • parent,

    • grandparent,

    • child,

    • grandchild,

    • child of a parent (sibling),

    • child of a grandparent (aunt or uncle),

    • or grandchild of a parent (niece or nephew)
5
Maximum10

What is the difference between my FSW eligibility points and CRS score?

In order to submit a profile as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), you must meet the minimum of 67 eligibility points.  Once you can submit an Express Entry profile to the pool of candidates, you are ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and given a CRS score. All candidates that enter the Express Entry pool are given a CRS score, but only FSW candidates need to meet the minimum FSW score.

What is foreign work experience?

To be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile, Federal Skilled Workers must have at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) foreign work experience. Foreign work experience is any paid work experience acquired outside of Canada within the past 10 years.

The work experience must be in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type A, B, or 0. To determine the skill type of your work, you will first need to find your NOC code.

How do I calculate CRS points for foreign work experience?

Foreign work experience CRS points are calculated as part of the skill transferability factors in combination with a candidate’s:

  1. Official language proficiency; and
  2. Canadian work experience.

Having three or more years of foreign work experience will allow you to claim the highest amount of points under these factors. See the below tables for a full breakdown of foreign work experience CRS points.

Foreign Work Experience and Official Language Proficiency

Years of ExperiencePoints for foreign work experience + CLB 7Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9
No foreign work experience00
1-2 years of foreign work experience1325
3+ years of foreign work experience2550

Foreign Work Experience and Canadian Work Experience

Years of ExperiencePoints for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experiencePoints for foreign work experience + 2 or more years of Canadian work experience
No foreign work experience00
1-2 years of foreign work experience1325
3+ years of foreign work experience2550

How do I calculate FSW points for part-time work experience?

Part-time work for Federal Skilled Workers can be calculated one of two ways:

  1. Combining the total number of hours worked per week in two or more part-time, skilled roles (eg. 15 hrs/week in job A + 15 hrs/week in job B = 30 hrs/week)
  2. Combining the total hours worked in one part-time job over the period of two or more years (eg. 15 hrs/week for two years = 1 year equivalent of full-time work) 15 hours per week in one part-time job over a period of two years, etc).

All part-time roles must be in NOC skill type A, B, or 0 to be considered toward one’s eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker program.

Is the Federal Skilled Worker program open?

Express Entry draws for Federal Skilled Worker candidates have been paused since December 2020. The Canadian government recently announced that draws targeting federal skilled workers would resume in early July 2022.

That said, FSW candidates may submit a profile at any time. While FSW candidates may not be invited in a federal Express Entry draw until July 2022, provinces continue to invite candidates for the chance to be nominated for permanent residency through Provincial Nominee Programs.

Can a Federal Skilled Worker work in Quebec?

According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Federal Skilled Workers are persons who have the intention to become economically established in Canada and reside in a province outside of Quebec.
Therefore, to be eligible for the program, you must not intend to reside in the province of Quebec. If you intend to settle in Quebec, you should immigrate through a Quebec immigration program. However, you may work for a Quebec company as long as you can sufficiently demonstrate your intention to reside in another province.

Is there an age limit to apply for under the FSW program?

There is no age limit to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. However, after the age of 35, candidates will begin to lose points toward the FSW eligibility requirement. After the age of 29, candidates will also lose points toward the age factor of their Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS). For this reason, candidates with lower age points may need to increase their eligibility points and CRS score through other factors.

Can my spouse and children be included in my FSW application?

Individuals applying under the Federal Skilled Worker may include their children and spouse on their application for permanent residence. However, an applicant should consider how their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score may be affected when applying with a spouse.

Can I include my parents on my Federal Skilled Worker application?

Unfortunately, parents cannot be included on an application for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, after becoming a permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor your parents to come to Canada.

Do I need a job offer to apply under the FSW Program?

A job offer is not required for the Federal Skilled Worker program. In fact, a large majority of candidates invited under the Express Entry system do not have a formal Canadian job offer. That said, having a valid job offer may increase a Federal Skilled Worker’s CRS score by 50-200 points. To qualify for these points, the job offer will likely require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

I have a criminal background or serious medical condition – can I still apply under the FSW program?

If you have a criminal record or serious medical condition, you may be considered inadmissible to Canada and unable to successfully apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, inadmissibility is not necessarily a permanent ban from entering Canada. There are solutions available to help people otherwise considered inadmissible to enter Canada. Visit our inadmissibility page for more information.

The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of the three federal immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system. As with all Express Entry programs, FST uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates against one another, only inviting the most competitive candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Each year, over half of all immigrants to Canada are skilled workers welcomed through economic programs, including the Federal Skilled Trades program. For qualified tradespeople the FST program can be a fast option for obtaining Canadian permanent residence, and with it, the right to live and work in Canada permanently.

FST Program Requirements

In order to qualify for FST, a candidate must have at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade (or an equal amount in part-time). This experience must have been obtained within the previous 5 years and only considers work experience obtained after an individual has been granted the certification to practice the trade in their country of residence.

Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, defines skilled trades as the following occupation groups:

Major Group 72industrial, electrical and construction trades
Major Group 73maintenance and equipment operation trades
Major Group 82supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
Major Group 92processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
Minor Group 632chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633butchers and bakers

If a person does possess the necessary work experience, they also must meet the other eligibility criteria outlined by the FST program:

  • Canada Employment Connection
    Have a valid offer of full-time employment for a position lasting at least 12-months or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade which is issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
  • Language
    Reach a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 on an approved English or French language test.
  • Residence in Canada
    Must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

Provided a candidate meets these requirements, they will be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Trades program. However, candidates should note that they must meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offences and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.

FST Application Procedure

If a person meets these requirements, they can submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submitting an Express Entry profile does not guarantee a candidate will receive Canadian permanent residence. Only after submitting an Express Entry profile will a candidate be assigned a CRS score and be considered in future Express Entry draws for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

When submitting an Express Entry profile, an FST candidate will be required to provide information from several documents:

  • Language Proficiency Test Results
    All candidates under the Express Entry programs must must provide results from an approved language test taken within the previous two years.
  • Identification Documents
    Candidates will be required to provide information from identification documents. Ideally, a candidate and all accompanying family members should possess passports valid for travel.

Though educational documents are not required for FST, an applicant must have certain documentation in order to claim points for education:

  • Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
    In order to claim points for education, an FST candidate must provide a valid ECA report attesting to the value of foreign education by Canadian standards. There are five organizations in Canada authorized to issue ECA reports. This is not required for educational credentials obtained from a Canadian educational institution.

Since the Express Entry system launched in 2015, the lowest ranking FST candidate to receive an ITA held a CRS score of 199 points. If an applicant’s CRS score is below this score they should actively pursue options for improving their score.

Immigration candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked against one another using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Curious what your CRS score might be? Canadim’s CRS score calculator lets you estimate your CRS score for Express Entry immigration to Canada.

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score?

In order to rank immigration candidates, the Canadian government developed a merit-based points system that assigns a score to each candidate in the Express Entry pool. This points system is called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the score assigned to each candidate is called the CRS score. Express Entry manages three programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Any person who submits a profile to the Express Entry pool of candidates is assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points. Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts an Express Entry draw, where they issue a round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to the highest-ranking candidates. Note that IRCC does not disclose information regarding the date of the draw, the number of ITAs that will be issued, or the minimum required CRS score in advance of each draw.

How can I increase my CRS score?

There are many ways an applicant can increase their CRS score once in the Express Entry pool. CRS points are largely tied to the applicant’s language ability, education, work experience, and age. Additional points can also be claimed for having a sibling in Canada, speaking French at a high level, receiving a job offer in the country, or securing a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Securing additional points from one of these factors can substantially increase one’s chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in one of Canada’s upcoming Express Entry draws.

How can a Provincial Nominee Program increase my CRS score?

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) provide pathways to permanent residency for candidates with low CRS scores in the Express Entry pool. Receiving a nomination from a province could result in an additional 600 points toward one’s CRS score, essentially guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence (ITA).

Each province sets their own criteria for nominee programs; while many require some type of connection to the province to be eligible to apply, others look for candidates that fill labour market or demographic gaps. Candidates invited under a PNP are expected to settle in the province they are nominated under.

What CRS score is required for PNPs?

Each province sets their own eligibility requirements for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Some of these programs use the Express Entry system to find their potential nominees. While many of these programs use their own points system, some provinces may use a candidate’s CRS score, among other factors, to decide whether they will be issued an invitation to apply for nomination.

Although these CRS scores may change from draw to draw, some provinces state the minimum CRS score required to be considered for nomination. For example, Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream does not send invitations to candidates with a CRS score lower than 400, and Alberta’s Express Entry stream will only consider candidates with a CRS score of at least 300.

 

Keep up to date on the latest PNP draw requirements using our Provincial Nominee Program Updates Tracker.

Do I get more CRS points if I apply with a spouse?

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are awarded differently, depending on whether the applicant is married or single.

If a spouse or common law partner is listed as non-accompanying in an application or is already a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the applicant will earn points as a single applicant.

If an applicant is married and has an accompanying spouse, the spouse should provide language results and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for all post-secondary education. This will enable a candidate to secure the maximum number of points when including a partner on their application.

CRS Score Breakdown Table

The tables below explain how many points Express Entry candidates may receive for each factor under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Summary of maximum points per factor for Express Entry candidates

FactorsMaximum Points Available
A. Core / Human Capital Factors460 (with spouse)
500 (without spouse)
B. Spouse or Common-Law Factors40
C. Skill Transferability Factors100
D. Additional Points600
Maximum Total Points1200
A. Core / Human Capital Factors

 

FactorsPoints
 With a spouse or common-law partnerWithout a spouse or common-law partner
Age100110
Level of education140150
Official languages proficiency150160
Canadian work experience7080
Maximum460500

 

B. Spouse or common-law partner factors
FactorsPoints
Level of education10
Official language proficiency20
Canadian Work Experience10
Maximum40
A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500 points (with OR without a spouse or common-law partner)
C. Skill transferability factors (maximum 100 points)
FactorPoints
Education
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree50
Maximum50
Foreign work experience
With good/strong official languages proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7 or higher) and foreign work experience50
With Canadian work experience and foreign work experience50
Maximum50
Certificate of qualification (for people in trade occupations)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a certificate of qualification50
Maximum50
Maximum100
A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Transferability factors = Maximum 600 points
D. Additional points (maximum 600 points)
FactorPoints
Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)15
French language skills50
Post-secondary education in Canada30
Arranged employment200
PN nomination600
Maximum600
A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors + C. Transferability factors + D. Additional points = Grand total – Maximum 1,200 points

Points breakdown, section by section

A – Core / human capital factors

  • With a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 460 points total for all factors.
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 500 points total for all factors.
Age Factors
AgeWith a spouse or common-law partnerWithout a spouse or common-law partner
17 years of age or less00
18 years of age9099
19 years of age95105
20 to 29 years of age100110
30 years of age95105
31 years of age9099
32 years of age8594
33 years of age8088
34 years of age7583
35 years of age7077
36 years of age6572
37 years of age6066
38 years of age5561
39 years of age5055
40 years of age4550
41 years of age3539
42 years of age2528
43 years of age1517
44 years of age56
45 years of age or more00
Maximum100110
Education Factors
Level of EducationWith a spouse or common-law partnerWithout a spouse or common-law partner
Less than secondary school (high school)00
Secondary diploma (high school graduation)2830
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute8490
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute9198
Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute112120
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years119128
Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.)126135
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.)140150
Maximum140150

 

First Official Language Factors
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per abilityWith a spouse or common-law partnerWithout a spouse or common-law partner
*Points are awarded for each language ability
Less than CLB 400
CLB 4 or 566
CLB 689
CLB 71617
CLB 82223
CLB 92931
CLB 10 or more3234
Maximum128136
Second Official Language Factors
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per abilityWith a spouse or common-law partnerWithout a spouse or common-law partner
*Points are awarded for each language ability
CLB 4 or less00
CLB 5 or 611
CLB 7 or 833
CLB 9 or more66
Maximum2224
Canadian Work Experience Factors
Canadian work experienceWith a spouse or common-law partnerWithout a spouse or common-law partner
None or less than a year00
1 year3540
2 years4653
3 years5664
4 years6372
5 years or more7080
Maximum7080
Subtotal: A – Core / human capital factors
  • With a spouse or common-law partner – Maximum 460 points
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner – Maximum 500 points

 

B – Spouse or common-law partner factors
Level of Education
Spouse’s or common-law partner’s level of educationWith spouse or common-law partnerWithout spouse or common-law partner
Less than secondary school (high school)0n/a
Secondary school (high school graduation)2n/a
One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute6n/a
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical in school, or other institute7n/a
Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute8n/a
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years9n/a
Master’s degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree”, the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.)10n/a
Doctoral level university degree (PhD)10n/a
Maximum10Does Not Apply
Spouse or common-law partner’s official language abilities
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening)With spouse or common-law PartnerWithout spouse or common-law partner
*Points are awarded for each language ability
CLB 4 or less0n/a
CLB 5 or 61n/a
CLB 7 or 83n/a
CLB 9 or more5n/a
Maximum20Does Not Apply
Spouse or Common-Law Partner’s Canadian Work Experience
Spouse’s Canadian work experienceWith spouse or common-law partnerWithout spouse or common-law partner
None or less than a year0n/a
1 year5n/a
2 years7n/a
3 years8n/a
4 years9n/a
5 years or more10n/a
Maximum10Does Not Apply
Subtotal: A – Core / human capital + B – Spouse or common-law partner factors – Maximum 500 points

 

C – Skill Transferability factors (Maximum 100 points for this section)

Education and Language Proficiency

With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher) and a post-secondary degreePoints for CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB 9Points for CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities
Secondary school (high school) credential or less00
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer1325
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer2550
Maximum2550
Education and Canadian Work Experience
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degreePoints for education + 1 year of Canadian work experiencePoints for education + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience
Secondary school (high school) credential or less00
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer1325
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer2550
Maximum2550
Foreign Work Experience – with CLB 7 or Higher
Years of experiencePoints for foreign work experience + CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 9Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities
No foreign work experience00
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience1325
3 years or more of foreign work experience2550
Maximum2550
Canadian Work Experience and Foreign Work Experience
Years of experiencePoints for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experiencePoints for foreign work experience + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience
No foreign work experience00
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience1325
3 years or more of foreign work experience2550
Maximum2550
Subtotal: A – Core / human capital + B – Spouse or common-law partner + C – Skill transferability factors – Maximum 600 points
 
D – Additional points (Maximum 600 points)
Additional Points
FactorPoints
Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)15
French language skills50
Post-secondary education in Canada30
Arranged employment200
PN nomination600
Maximum600
A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors + C. Transferability factors + D. Additional points = Grand total – Maximum 1,200 points
This Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator is only an estimate. If you would like a more accurate assessment on whether you qualify to enter the Express Entry Pool, we suggest you complete our Free Express Entry assessment. You will receive an immediate reply and be assigned a Canadian Immigration Associate who will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Express Entry pool.

 

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What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a tool used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to rank profiles against each other in the Express Entry pool.

The points-based system provides candidates in the pool with a CRS score based on factors such as one’s age, language ability, work experience, education, and ties to Canada.

Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government holds an Express Entry draw, issuing a round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to those individuals in the pool who hold the highest CRS scores.

What is a good Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score?

While the lowest CRS score needed to receive an ITA was just 75 in Canada’s February 2021 historic draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates, the lowest CRS score selected in 2020 (excluding program specific draws) was 468 points. Prior to that, the lowest cut-off in a non-specified draw in 438 in 2019, 439 in 2018, and just 413 in 2017.

As the CRS cut-off cannot be predicted ahead of each draw score, it is important to take measures to maximize your CRS score wherever possible.

What is the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to enter the Express Entry pool?

There is no minimum CRS score required to enter the Express Entry pool of candidates. The CRS cut-off fluctuates from draw to draw and may increase or decrease depending on a number of factors. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not release what the minimum required CRS score will be ahead of each round of invitations. Therefore, the higher your CRS score, the stronger chance you will have of receiving an ITA.

How can I increase my Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score?

There are many ways an applicant can increase their CRS score once in the Express Entry pool. CRS points are largely tied to the applicant’s language ability, education, work experience, and age. Additional points can also be claimed for having a sibling in Canada, speaking French at a high level, receiving a job offer in the country, or securing a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Securing additional points from one of these factors can substantially increase one’s changes of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in one of Canada’s upcoming Express Entry draws.

How can a Provincial Nominee Program increase my CRS score?

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) provide pathways to permanent residency for candidates with low CRS scores in the Express Entry pool. Receiving a nomination from a province could result in an additional 600 points toward one’s CRS score, essentially guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence (ITA).

Each province sets their own criteria for nominee programs; while many require some type of connection to the province to be eligible to apply, others look for candidates that fill labour market or demographic gaps. Candidates invited under a PNP are expected to settle in the province they are nominated under.

Do I get more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score if I apply with a spouse?

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are awarded differently, depending on whether the applicant is married or single.

If a spouse or common law partner is listed as non-accompanying in an application or is already a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the applicant will earn points as a single applicant.

If an applicant is married and has an accompanying spouse, the spouse should provide language results and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for all post-secondary education. This will enable a candidate to secure the maximum number of points when including a partner on their application.

Why is my CRS score low?

There are several reasons why one’s CRS score may be lower than expected upon entering the pool of candidates. By browsing our summary of maximum CRS points against your own score, you can determine where you may be losing points.

While a low CRS score may be disheartening, the good news is that you can continue improve your ranking in the pool, even after your profile has been submitted. Many candidates are successful in increasing their CRS score after gaining additional work experience, retaking their language exam, securing a Canadian job offer, or choosing to study in Canada. There is always room for improvement!

What CRS score is required for PNPs?

Each province sets their own eligibility requirements for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Some of these programs use the Express Entry system to find their potential nominees. While many of these programs use their own points system, some provinces may use a candidate’s CRS score, among other factors, to decide whether they will be issued an invitation to apply for nomination.

Although these CRS scores may change from draw to draw, some provinces state the minimum CRS score required to be considered for nomination. For example, Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream does not send invitations to candidates with a CRS score lower than 400, and Alberta’s Express Entry stream will only consider candidates with a CRS score of at least 300.

Keep up to date on the latest PNP draw requirements using our Provincial Nominee Program Updates Tracker.

The Canadian government routinely conducts Express Entry draws, also referred to as rounds of invitations, during which they extend invitations to candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence. In these draws, candidates undergo a ranking process based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score takes into account factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria, assigning each candidate a CRS score out of a total of 1200 points.

Express Entry draws typically occur at regular intervals, approximately every two weeks. However, this has changed since the integration of the new categories in 2023.

Each Express Entry draw has a CRS cut-off score, which can vary depending on the number of candidates in the pool, the immigration targets set by the Canadian government, the program or even the specific category. The draws aim to select candidates most likely to succeed and contribute to the Canadian economy. This CRS cut-off score also represents the score of the lowest-ranking candidate to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the draw.

Those who receive an ITA, are given 60 days to complete and submit an official electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

It’s essential for potential immigrants to monitor Express Entry draws and stay informed about the latest updates to understand their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

When is The Next Express Entry Draw?

There is no set schedule for Express Entry Draws to happen. Typically, you can expect a new Express Entry Draw at least every 2 weeks, though sometimes they are more frequent draws or draws can be paused.
For detailed information on the latest Express Entry draws, including eligibility criteria and selection details, please proceed to the following section.

Latest Express Entry Draw Results

Below are the results from the most recent rounds of invitations issued during Express Entry:

Tie-Breaking Rule: In the event that multiple candidates score at the CRS cut-off score, IRCC makes use of the tie-breaking rule to better control the number of ITAs issued in each draw. Only candidates who score at or above the CRS cut-off score and submitted a profile before the tie-breaking rule will be issued an ITA. The tie-breaking rule was only instituted in November 2017.

Composition of the Express Entry pool

IRCC published information regarding the composition of the Express Entry pool in the days shortly before each draw. Below is the CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool:

CRS Score RangeNumber of Candidates
601-1200987
501-60010,342
451-50060,488
491-5008,294
481-49010,683
471-48017,105
461-47013,218
451-46011,188
401-45050,882
441-45010,172
431-44010,309
421-4309,296
411-42010,610
401-41010,495
351-40055,586
301-35028,287
0-3005,390
Total211,962
UpdatedMarch 24, 2024

What type of Express Entry Draws are there?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds different types of rounds of invitations throughout the year. There are 3 different types of Express Entry draws that are held:

  • General round of invitations: General rounds of invitations invites the top-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 Express Entry Programs. The 3 programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
  • Program-specific rounds of invitations: Program-specific rounds invite the top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, the IRCC often has draws specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where only candidates who are eligible for a PNP are invited.
  • Category-based rounds of invitations: The Minister of Immigration will establish specific categories to meet specific economic goals across Canada. Once the categories are established, the top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category will receive an invitation.

Categories chosen for 2023

Categories are chosen based on labour market information and projections, as well as input received from provinces and territories. Each year IRCC will report to Parliament about the categories chosen the previous year and assess future categories.

For 2023, the chosen categories are:

  1. French-language proficiency
  2. Healthcare occupations
  3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
  4. Trade occupations
  5. Transport occupations
  6. Agriculture and agri-food occupations

What do I need to do to have my profile selected in an Express Entry Draw?

Most Express Entry Draws focus on an applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. For this reason, once you have submitted your Express Entry profile to the pool, you should examine all the ways you may increase your CRS score ranking within the pool.

What is the lowest CRS score accepted for Express Entry Draws?

The lowest accepted CRS score varies with each Express Entry draw.

Since the Express Entry system was introduced in 2015, the lowest ever accepted CRS score has been 75. This was from a CEC Draw that took place in February 2021.

The lowest CRS score from an all-program draw, targeting Federal Skilled Workers was 413.

How many profiles are selected in each Express Entry Draw?

There is no set number of Express Entry Profiles selected in each Express Entry draw. How many profiles are selected with each Express Entry draw depends on the number of candidates in the pool, the quality of candidates in the pool and the Canadian labour market needs at the time of the draw.

What do you do if your profile has been selected from an Express Entry Draw?

If your profile has been selected from an Express Entry Draw, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). With an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a full Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). Please refer to our guide to receiving an ITA and submitting an eAPR for more information.

Am I more likely to be selected during an Express Entry Draw if I have a job offer?

Having an approved Canadian job offer does not guarantee that you will receive an ITA from an Express Entry Draw. It will however increase your chances. When you apply to the Express Entry pool with an approved Canadian job offer, you will receive either 50 or 200 points CRS points depending on the type of job you have been offered.

In addition to this, a Canadian job offer may make your profile more desirable to the province where the job offer is located.

How can you improve your CRS score to make sure you receive an invitation in the next Express Entry Draw?

If a candidate’s CRS score is significantly lower than the minimum cut-off in the pool, they should consider trying to improve their score. They could also update their profile to appeal to one of the specific category-based draws where the pool is likely to be a lot lower. For example, updating your French language scores to reflect those to meet the French-language proficiency category, could give you a better chance at selection compared to a general round of invitations. 

For more information on improving ranking, please refer to Canadim’s guidelines for improving the CRS score and ranking.

Why is the Express Entry Draw Delayed?

In recent times, there has been a noticeable delay in the regular scheduling of Express Entry draws by the Canadian government. Several factors contribute to these delays, such as the introduction of new categories draws, adjustments in immigration policies, shifts in governmental priorities, or the plan of the new immigration targets. Prospective candidates need to stay informed about these delays and monitor official announcements for updates on the resumption of Express Entry draws.

The Invitation to Apply (ITA), or sometimes referred to as the electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR), is the final step of the Express Entry program. The eAPR application provides the documents that support the details listed in your initial Express Entry profile. 

Once you receive an ITA for Canadian permanent residence, you’re well on your way to fulfilling your Canadian immigration dreams!

How do I get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?

The first step to obtaining an ITA is to submit an Express Entry profile. Following that, you will be entered into a pool of candidates and ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a merit-based points system that assigns a score to each candidate in the Express Entry pool.

Candidates who are highly ranked will receive an ITA and then be asked to submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). If the eAPR is successfully approved, the applicant and their dependent family members included in the application will be granted Canadian permanent residence. 

What happens after I get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?

After receiving an ITA, you will be given 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) in Canada. This application is submitted through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online web portal. Applicants will be asked to scan and submit copies of all required documents. 

Immigration Tip

Check your account regularly to see if any messages or updates from IRCC have been issued regarding your application.

IRCC states that 80% of eAPRs are processed within six months or earlier from the date of submission. If an application is approved, then the applicant and all accompanying family members will be issued visas allowing them to travel to a Canadian Port of Entry (POE) to obtain their official permanent resident documents!

After becoming a Canadian permanent resident, individuals should be sure to educate themselves on the PR requirements to ensure they remain eligible to renew their permanent residence card or apply for Canadian citizenship.

What documents do I need for my eAPR?

The requirements you need to provide for your eAPR are those that support the qualifications claimed in your Express Entry profile as well as proof you are not inadmissible to Canada. If you cannot provide a document that is requested, always provide a letter of explanation outlining why it cannot be obtained. It is advisable to mention the attempts you have made to obtain the missing documents and provide possible alternatives. 

Documents submitted must be in English or French. If they are not, you will need to have the documents translated by a certified translator. 

Using the services of a Canadian immigration attorney can help explain to the visa office in a clear and concise manner why your documents are not exactly as requested. If you need help with your application, get in touch with us for a free consultation. 

1) IDENTITY AND CIVIL STATUS DOCUMENTS

Passports 

A copy of the biographical data page of a passport or travel document for the principal applicant and each of their accompanying family members.

Birth certificates

For everyone included in your application, you must provide a birth certificate. There are some countries that do not issue birth certificates, in that case, you can provide a document that confirms the details of your date of birth and at least one of your parent’s names. Including a letter of explanation with your application is advisable if you are not providing an official birth certificate. 

Adoption certificates are also required in the event you have adopted children. 

Marital status

  • Single (never married): in most cases, no documents are required to prove you are single
  • Married: marriage certificate 
  • Common-law/conjugal: evidence of a genuine relationship
  • Divorced: divorce certificate for each divorce you had
  • Widowed: marriage and death certificate

You may need to provide a combination of these documents in some cases. For example, if you are divorced and then remarried, you will need to provide both your divorce certificate as well as your new marriage certificate. 

2) LANGUAGE TEST RESULTS

Depending on which language test you took, IRCC may already have access to your test results. However, IRCC does sometimes request a copy of your language test results. It may be a good idea to include your results with your application, otherwise, your application could be delayed if IRCC ends of requesting a copy. If your spouse took an approved language test, this should also be included. 

3) WORK EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS

You need to demonstrate proof of the work experience mentioned on your Express Entry profile. To do this you will need to provide: 

  • Reference letters
  • Electronic copies of your employment contracts and a sample of payslips (if possible)

If you have claimed Canadian work experience, you must also provide:

  • T4 tax information slips
  • Notice of Assessment and Option C printouts from CRA
  • A copy of your work permit/employment authorization

Check out our guide for more information about reference letters but to summarize, your letters should include the following:

  1. Your job title
  2. Your salary
  3. The average hours/week you worked
  4. A detailed list of your employment duties 
  5. The dates of your employment

You’ll need one from each of your employers in the last 10 years. This is primarily how IRCC will decide if the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes you’ve claimed accurately represent your experience.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issues documents for tax purposes to everyone who works in Canada. If you claimed Canadian work experience, you need to show proof that you did so legally, and that you paid your taxes.

4) EDUCATION DOCUMENTS

  • Copies of certificates, diplomas or degrees for each completed program of post-secondary study you have claimed points for
  • Copies of transcripts for each completed secondary and post-secondary program
  • An original Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
  • If you have claimed Canadian educational credentials, you must provide proof of successful completion of the program

Immigration Tip

If you have claimed points for your spouse’s education, documents to support those qualifications should be provided as well. 

5) PROOF OF FUNDS

You will need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds to support your relocation to Canada. These are referred to as settlement fees and vary depending on your family size. If you have an arranged employment offer that was mentioned in your application, this required is waived. 

Number of Family MembersFunds Required
1$13,757
2$17,127
3$21,055
4$25,564
5$28,994
6$32,700
7$36,407
For each additional family member$3,706
Required amount as of January, 2024

Immigration Tip

Minimum funds are calculated based on your family size. When you’re calculating how much you need to demonstrate, don’t forget to count yourself!

6) MEDICAL EXAMINATION CONFIRMATION

Electronic copies of medical examination confirmation.

7) POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES

You and all of your family members will need police clearance certificates from every country you or they resided in for six months or more since the age of 18.

Police clearance certificates are only valid for 12 months. So it’s important that you wait until you receive an ITA before you apply for one, otherwise, it could expire by the time your application is processed.

However, they can also take a long time to receive. Since you only have 60 days from receiving your ITA to submitting an application, this can be tricky to manage. If you have applied for police clearance certificates but do not receive them on time, you have to provide proof that you applied for them in your application. This will buy you some time for the police clearance certificates to come through.

8) PHOTOS

Two (2) digital photos of you, your spouse or partner, and each dependent child.

9) GOVERNMENT PROCESSING FEES

Principal Applicant: $1325

Spouse: $1325

Dependent children: $225/child

10) PROVINCIAL NOMINATION

If you have claimed points for a provincial nomination you will need to provide a copy of the nomination.

11) PROOF OF RELATIVE

If you have claimed a relative in Canada, you must provide:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship/permanent resident status for your relative
  • Proof your relative is residing in Canada like utility bills, Canadian tax documents or banking records
  • Proof of familial relationship with your relative in Canada

12) OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

You do not need a job offer. However, if you claimed a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in your profile, you’ll need proof that the offer is legitimate by providing:

  • A letter from the employer offering the job in Canada
  • The associated LMIA number, if applicable

The letter from your Canadian employer offering you the job should be printed on the company letterhead and includes your name, the company’s contact information, and the name, title, and signature of the applicant’s immediate supervisor. 

The letter must also contain the expected start date, job title, duties and responsibilities, number of work hours per week, and annual salary plus benefits. Finally, the letter has to contain a commitment that the applicant will be employed on a continuous, paid, full-time bases for at least one year after issuance of permanent residence.

How long does it take to receive an ITA?

IRCC regularly issues draws for Express Entry applicants. If you are highly ranked, you can expect to receive an ITA within a matter of days to a few weeks. If you are not selected right away, your profile will remain active in the Express Entry pool for 12 months.

If after several months you have not received an ITA, it might be time to look into ways you can boost your CRS score. You can consider retaking language tests or looking into provincial nomination programs. 

Can my family members be included in an eAPR application?

Certain family members can be included in an eAPR application. These include your spouse/ common- law partner and dependent children under the age of 22. Children over the age of 22 who are financially dependent on the main applicant as a result of a physical or mental condition may also be included in the eAPR.

How much does it cost to submit an eAPR?

The costs of the application will depend on the applicant’s family size, how many countries they have lived in, and if documents need to be translated. 

  • Principal Applicant: $1325
  • Spouse: $1325
  • Dependent children: $225/child
  • Biometrics: $85/person
  • Medical examination fees: average cost – $450/adult & $250/child
  • Police clearance certificates: average cost – $100/country

How long will an application take to process once an eAPR has been submitted?

Processing of files varies and is often dependent on multiple factors. For most applications submitted via Express Entry pool, IRCC commit to processing within 6 months wherever possible. The affects of the COVID 19 pandemic have seen increased processing times by IRCC with most taking 12+ months to process. IRCC offer a great tool for up to date processing times.

Many foreign nationals who wish to apply for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry, must show that they have the ability to financially support their resettlement to Canada. Learn more about the proof of funds required for the Express Entry application process here.

A proof of funds refers to the requirement for applicants to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members during the initial stages of their settlement in Canada.

This provision applies to applicants through most Express Entry classes of immigration and provincial nominee applicants.

 

Why Is Proof of Funds Required in Canadian Immigration and Express Entry?

Proof of funds is a crucial requirement for Express Entry and Canadian immigration as it serves to ensure that prospective immigrants have the financial means to support themselves and their families upon arrival in Canada.

This requirement is in place to guarantee that newcomers can cover essential living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other basic needs, without relying on social assistance programs. By demonstrating sufficient funds, applicants signal their ability to smoothly integrate into Canadian society and contribute positively to the economy. It also helps to mitigate the risk of immigrants facing financial hardships and becoming dependent on public resources.

In essence, the proof of funds requirement is a strategic measure to foster successful and self-sufficient immigration, ensuring that individuals and their families can establish themselves in Canada with financial stability.

 

Who is Required to Demonstrate Proof of Funds?

In order to meet the proof of means of financial support, applicants from the following programs must show adequate funds:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry)
  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Notably, candidates applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and candidates applying through the province of Quebec are exempt from this requirement. If you are applying through an economic immigration class, carefully review the program requirements to determine whether you will need to demonstrate settlement funds. Also, ensure that you fully understand what is required to prove your own capacity for financial support.

How much money you will need?

The proof of funds requirement is based off of a person’s family size. When calculating a family size, the following family members count towards the total amount:

  • Principal applicant
  • Principal applicant’s dependent children
  • Spouse or common-law partner
  • Spouse or common-law partner’s dependent children

The funds for this requirement cannot be borrowed from another person. All applicants must be able to use the money to pay cost of living for their family (even if spouse and children are not accompanying). If an applicant is applying with their spouse, both partners may submit financial records to meet this requirement. Please note that applicants to not require proof of funds if they are currently authorized to work in Canada and hold a valid job offer.

The required minimum amount for proof of funds is listed below. Please note that this amount is updated annually based on Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements.

Settlement Funds Requirement

Number of Family MembersFunds Required
1$13,757
2$17,127
3$21,055
4$25,564
5$28,994
6$32,700
7$36,407
For each additional family member$3,706
Required amount as of January, 2024

What is Accepted as a Proof of Funds?

All proof of funds must be in the name of the principal applicant and/or their spouse or common-law partner. The funds cannot be borrowed from someone else. The funds must be available at the time of application and throughout the application processing up until permanent residency has been issued. The government reserves the right to request updated financial records at any point throughout the application processing. Applicants must submit letters from financial institutes where they keep their money. These letters must include the following:

  • Printed on the financial institution’s letterhead
  • Include the financial institution’s contact information
  • Include the name of the applicant
  • List any outstanding debts or loans
  • Include the following information for each account:
    • Account numbers
    • Date of opening
    • Current balance of each account
    • Average balance for the previous six months

Any documentation deviating from this risks refusal at the discretion of the immigration officer assessing the file.

After creating your profile, it enters the ‘Express Entry Pool,’ a waiting area where all profiles reside. Applicants await an invitation to apply while actively working to enhance their scores, thereby increasing their chances of selection.

The Express Entry Pool of candidates plays an important role in the Selection process through this stream. Find out why is it important and some tips of what to do while waiting in the pool.

What is the Pool of Candidates in the Express Entry Selection Process?

After confirming your eligibility and assessing your score, the next step in the Express Entry process involves gathering essential supporting documents, including language test results, to validate the accuracy of the provided information. Since obtaining some documents may take a considerable amount of time, it is advisable to prepare them in advance. This proactive approach is crucial because, in the event of an invitation to apply, you will have a limited window of 60 days to submit your application with the support documents.

Once your documentation is ready, the subsequent step is to create your Express Entry profile. Subsequently, your profile enters the “Express Entry Pool,” a waiting area where all created profiles reside while candidates endeavor to enhance their scores. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) periodically issues invitations to apply to candidates with the highest scores in the pool, facilitating the selection of individuals for permanent residence in Canada.

Number of Candidates in Express Entry Pool

The IRCC updates the number of candidates in the Express Entry pool before each invitation round. It’s important to note that these numbers change daily due to the submission of new profiles, expiration of existing profiles, or the issuance of Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

As of the last official update, the composition of the Express Entry pool is:

 

Express Entry Pool of Candidates

 
CRS Score RangeNumber of Candidates
601-1200987
501-60010,342
451-50060,488
491-5008,294
481-49010,683
471-48017,105
461-47013,218
451-46011,188
401-45050,882
441-45010,172
431-44010,309
421-4309,296
411-42010,610
401-41010,495
351-40055,586
301-35028,287
0-3005,390
Total211,962
UpdatedMarch 24, 2024

Express entry pool requirements

To enter the Express Entry Pool, individuals must meet the specific requirements of one of the three immigration programs managed through the system.

The Canadian Experience Class caters to skilled workers with Canadian work experience, acquired within the three years preceding the application.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program targets skilled workers with foreign work experience, necessitating the fulfillment of criteria related to education and other factors.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade, requiring either a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification. If eligible for any of these programs, applicants can create their Express Entry profile, joining the pool as they await an invitation to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency. Moreover, those qualifying for the above programs can also opt to apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program, gaining extra points if nominated and potentially expediting the invitation to apply process.

Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals who are interested in immigrating to a specific Canadian province or territory. 

Each Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP designed to meet its specific economic and demographic needs.

Read on to find out how you can immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee, and the latest Canadian PNP updates.

Every year, the Canadian federal government increases the number of invitations for PNP candidates. These programs are the fastest-growing route to economic immigration in Canada.

What are Provincial Nominee Programs?

Each province, apart from Quebec and Nunavut, operates several PNP streams. These streams are designed by the provinces to help meet their unique immigration goals, so the eligibility criteria and application procedures vary. However, PNPs are a popular option because they can be the easiest pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

All decisions regarding Canadian permanent residence must be approved at the national level by the federal government, so Canada’s provinces cannot approve permanent resident status on their own. This is why the provincial programs are considered “nominee” programs.

A successful applicant to a PNP will be nominated by the province to apply to the federal government for permanent residence. This means that immigrating to Canada through a PNP is always step one in a two-part process. First, an interested immigrant is approved at the provincial level and then they must apply to the federal level.

Provinces and Territories

Each of Canada’s provinces and territories, apart from Nunavut and Quebec, operates its own unique Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to meet its economic and demographic needs. Program requirements and application procedures vary greatly between provinces, so interested applicants should consult each of the provinces to determine their eligibility.

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

How to apply for a Provincial Nominee Program in Canada

Step-by-Step guide to applying to a Canadian PNP:

  1. Find the PNP that is right for you: Consult the list of provinces and territories at the top of this page to determine where you would like to immigrate. Make sure to check the requirements for each PNP to determine your eligibility.
  2. Apply to your chosen PNP: Submit an application directly to your chosen province or territory.
  3. Obtain a Provincial Nomination certificate: If your application is successful, the province or territory will nominate you to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
  4. Submit your application for permanent residence: Apply to the Canadian federal government for permanent residence. If your chosen PNP is aligned with Express Entry, you can do this online. If not, you must submit a paper-based application.

How to apply to through the ‘base’ PNP process

Some PNPs do not require an Express Entry profile to apply. These programs are called ‘base’ PNPs. While the nomination process is different for each program, the general process is essentially:

  1. Apply for nomination
  2. If nominated, apply for Canadian permanent residence through Permanent Residence Portal.

Once you have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada through IRCC’s online Permanent Residence Portal.

Base PNP permanent residence applications take much longer to process than electronic applications submitted through Express Entry. While the average processing time for a permanent resident application submitted through Express Entry is 6 months, a paper-based application is processed in an average of 18 months.

 

How to apply through the Express Entry Process

  1. Create an account and submit an Express Entry profile.
  2. Apply to an Express Entry-aligned PNP
  3. Receive an Express Entry stream nomination
  4. Confirm the Express Entry on your profile and receive 600 additional points
  5. Wait to receive an invitation for permanent residence
  6. Apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system

As all PNPs are different, the process for applying and receiving a nomination through the Express Entry system varies depending on the program.

Some PNPs always accept applications from qualified applicants, so if you are qualified for the PNP you can submit whenever you are ready. Other PNPs use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, where qualified applicants submit a profile that is ranked on a points-based system for the chance to receive an invitation to apply for nomination. Finally, some PNPs invite foreign nationals to submit applications, either by selecting candidates directly from the Express Entry pool or by having interested individuals submit a formal Expression of Interest.

The PNP application process can be confusing, and applications can be refused if they are submitted incorrectly or if they are incomplete. Applicants should take care to ensure that applications are completed correctly and submitted through the proper channel.

How many PNPs are there in Canada?

Each of Canada’s provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut, operate its own PNP program with several streams. Altogether, there are more than 80 different provincial nominee programs.

Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs

In 2015, Canada introduced Express Entry as a system to manage applications for permanent residence through same major economic immigration programs. Since then, many Canadian provinces and territories have developed ‘enhanced’ PNP streams that are aligned with Express Entry. This means that some PNPs require that an applicant have an Express Entry profile in order to meet the PNP eligibility requirements.

If an applicant is nominated through a PNP which is aligned with Express Entry, the applicant can then claim 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. Alternately, if an applicant receives a nomination through a PNP which is not aligned with Express Entry, then they must submit a non-Express Entry federal application for permanent residence as a provincial nominee. Non-Express Entry federal applications for permanent residence can take significantly longer to process than electronic Express Entry applications.

How much does it cost to immigrate through a PNP?

The cost of immigrating through a Provincial Nominee Program is about $2,300 – $3,800 CAD, depending on the program you are immigrating through. Some provinces do not charge applicants processing fees, whereas other provinces, such as Ontario, charge as much as $1,500 CAD.

  1. Language tests: Average cost – $300
  2. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (if applicable): Average cost – $200
  3. Biometrics: $85/person
  4. Government fees: $1,325/adult & $225/child
  5. Medical examination fees: average cost – $450/adult & $250/child
  6. Police clearance certificates: average cost – $100/country
  7. Provincial Nominee Program processing fees: Up to $1500 CAD

Total cost: Between ~$2,300 – $3,800 CAD

Can I immigrate through a PNP without a job offer?

There are many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for overseas candidates without a job offer in Canada. These programs typically target candidates with skills or work experience that can help the province respond to labour market or demographic gaps.

To learn more, visit our dedicated blog post that explores the best PNPs for candidates with no connections to Canada.

Did you know?

Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. 

Am I eligible for a Canadian PNP?

If you have a connection to a province or work experience or skills that are indicated as in-demand, you may be eligible for a Canadian PNP.

The eligibility factors for PNPs vary from province to province. As PNPs are a part of an economic immigration strategy, they are usually organized in such a way that they attract workers who can readily contribute to the economy and who have a high likelihood of remaining in that province. Therefore, some PNPs prioritize immigrants who have experience in occupations that are in-demand in that province. Other PNPs prefer immigrants who have a connection to the province, like a relative, as this increases the chance that they will remain in the province.

As with most economic immigration programs, young applicants who possess strong language skills, high levels of education, and skilled work experience are better suited to succeed. Otherwise, it is necessary to consult the above-mentioned list of PNPs in order to determine the eligibility factors for each program individually.

What are the requirements for Canada’s PNPs?

Provinces and territories are often looking for applicants with work experience that meets the needs of their specific labour market, often in addition to other language and education requirements.

Each province sets their own eligibility requirements for language proficiency, education, and skill set. In order to qualify, you must also demonstrate that you will be able to contribute to the local economy and have a genuine intention to settle in that province or territory.

What is the processing time for a PNP application?

Processing times for nomination applications vary from one province to the next, but it typically takes a few months.

Applying for Canadian permanent residence through a PNP program is a two-step process. 

First, you must apply to the province. Once that has been approved, you must then submit your application to the federal government. Only the federal government can grant you Canadian PR.  The processing time for your permanent residence application will depend on whether you submitted a ‘base’ or ‘enhanced’ PNP application. 

This tool can help you find out the processing time at the federal level.

Can I qualify for a PNP if I don’t qualify for Express Entry?

Many PNPs require that applicants have an active profile in the Express Entry pool. However, there are exceptions to this where some provinces issue nominations to applicants who do not have Express Entry eligibility. These programs vary in their eligibility requirements, so it is best to consult with a representative to discuss your eligibility. All PNPs resulting in a nomination require that the applicant then submit a permanent resident application to the federal government.

If the PNP is not aligned with Express Entry, the federal permanent residency application must be submitted through a different portal, or by paper. A non-Express Entry PNP application is typically subject to longer processing times.

Provincial Nominee Program Updates Tracker

Each of Canada’s provinces and territories operates its own set of immigration programs, called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). As each province has different demographic and labour needs, no two PNP’s are exactly the same. Programs may open at different times of the year and for different durations. As PNP’s are constantly changing, check with this page regularly for the latest updates for all of Canada’s PNPs.

PNP Weekly Updates

Previous PNP Draws Updates

How are Provincial Nominee Program points calculated?

Since each province set their own eligibility requirements, they use different points systems to determine who can apply or receive an invitation. Points are typically based on a combination of age, work experience, education, language, and connections to the province. Not all nominee programs use a points system to rank their candidates.

How can I increase my chances of receiving a nomination?

Just by submitting an Express Entry profile, you can increase your chances of receiving a provincial nomination. Provinces frequently scan the Express Entry pool and invite profiles that help respond to labour or demographic gaps. Ensuring your profile is strong and indicates your interest in multiple provinces can also help increase your chances of being invited through an Express Entry PNP.

Since many PNPs require candidates to have a connection to the province, studying or working in Canada can also help to increase your chances.

What is the ideal PNP candidate?

The ideal PNP candidate is one that has work experience and skills that help a province respond to labour market or demographic needs. Other factors that may increase one’s chances include:

  • Strong ties to the host province (ex. previous work experience, job offer, previous studies, family)
  • Work experience in an in-demand occupation
  • Strong English proficiency
  • Proficiency in French

How does my IELTS score affect my PNP chances?

Many provinces consider an applicant’s language exam score when determining eligibility, or whether a candidate receives an invitation in a PNP draw. Most programs will consider this in their minimum eligibility requirements, or as part of their scoring criteria if applicable.

How to calculate your PNP points

To calculate your PNP points, you first need to understand the eligibility criteria of the provincial program you are applying through, and if, and how they award points to potential nominee candidates. If the program you are applying under uses a points system, you can then calculate your points against each factor to determine your score.

Do I need an ECA report for PNPs?

Most PNPs require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to demonstrate the Canadian equivalence of an applicant’s foreign credentials. To verify whether you need an ECA, you should check the eligibility requirements for the program you are applying under.

Some provinces also require that you authorize the organization to share the results of your ECA report with the PNP.

What does it mean to be invited to apply by a provincial nominee program?

An “Invitation to Apply” (also referred to as a Notification of Interest or Letter of Interest) is essentially an invitation from a province to apply for nomination. When issuing an invitation, provinces will also provide applicants with a deadline that they need to submit the application by. The deadline will vary depending on the program an applicant is invited through.

How does the PNP application process work?

The PNP application process will vary depending on the program an applicant is applying through. There are three main types of PNP processes:

1.      Expression of Interest (EOI) process

Some provinces require eligible candidates to first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile to the program’s pool of candidates. The province then holds Expression of Interest draws, where they invite candidates to apply for nomination. The criteria of these draws usually change from draw to draw. The draws may target a combination of a candidate’s score on the province’s points grid, work experience in a particular occupation, language ability, or highest education level.

Examples of programs that operate using an EOI system include Prince Edward Island Express Entry stream, Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry streams, and Manitoba’s Skilled Worker streams.

2.      Notification of Interest (NOI) process

Other nominee programs invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool without them even having applied. These programs typically target candidates with certain work experience or skills that respond to labour market needs. Examples of programs that send Notifications of Interest to candidates in the Express Entry pool include Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream, Ontario’s French-Speaker stream, Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities stream, Alberta Express Entry stream

3.      Apply directly to the program

Certain programs allow eligible candidates to apply directly for nomination.

Examples of programs like this include BC PNP International Post-Graduate stream, the Alberta Opportunity Stream, and New Brunswick’s Skilled Worker stream.

Documents required for a PNP

Candidates must provide documentation that demonstrates their eligibility for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) they are applying to. Most provinces typically require:

  • language results;
  • educational credential assessment (ECA) reports;
  • proof of work experience;
  • proof of settlement funds;
  • civil documents; and
  • status documents

Many PNPs also require proof that the applicant intends to reside in their province upon being nominated. Other required documents will depend on the program you are applying under.

Canadian PNPs for healthcare professionals

Healthcare workers are in high demand. For this reason, many provinces offer PNPs specifically for healthcare workers. Examples of PNPs for healthcare professionals include:

  • BC Healthcare Professional
  • Nova Scotia Physicians
  • Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
  • Saskatchewan Health Professionals

Canadian PNPs for international students

Canada views international students are the ideal immigrant. To retain international graduates, there are several Provincial Nominee Programs offered to international graduates across Canada. Examples of programs for international graduates include:

  • Manitoba International Education Stream
  • British Columbia International Graduate
  • British Columbia International Post-Graduate
  • Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur
  • Ontario International Students with a Job Offer
  • Ontario Masters Graduate
  • Ontario PhD Graduate
  • PEI International Graduate
  • Saskatchewan Students
  • Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Canadian PNPs for IT professionals

Canada’s tech sector is booming. To meet growing industry demand, provinces offer programs specifically for IT professionals. Examples of PNPs for IT professionals include:

  • Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
  • BC PNP Tech program
  • Ontario Human Capital Priorities – Tech Draws

Canadian PNPs for entrepreneurs

Provinces across Canada welcome foreign entrepreneurs for their ability to stimulate the economy and create jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Examples of PNPs for entrepreneurs include:

  • British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
  • Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway
  • Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway
  • New Brunswick Entrepreneurial stream
  • Newfoundland International Graduate Entrepreneur category
  • Northwest Territories Entrepreneur
  • Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream
  • Ontario Entrepreneur stream
  • PEI Work Permit Stream
  • Saskatchewan Entrepreneur
  • Saskatchewan Farm Owners and Operators
  • Yukon Business Nominee
  • Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Do I need work experience to immigrate through a PNP?

Most Provincial Nominee Programs require at least one year of work experience to apply. However, some nominee programs designed for post-graduate students do not require work experience or a job offer to apply. Examples of these programs include the Ontario Masters Graduate stream, the Ontario PhD Graduate stream, and the British Columbia International Post-Graduate stream.

Can I immigrate through a PNP without IELTS or CELPIP?

Almost all PNPs require candidates to take a designated French or English language exam to demonstrate their proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages. If you are planning to immigrate to a particular province, you should check the language requirements for the program you are interested in to determine what level of language proficiency is required.

Located in western Canada, the province of Alberta is a hub of agricultural production for Canada. The province sits on top of vast oil reserves, resulting in a booming provincial oil industry. Alberta hosts the cities of Calgary and Edmonton, and is bordered on the west by Canada’s beautiful Rocky Mountains.

The province operates several immigration streams divided among two categories:

Workers

  • Alberta Opportunity Stream
  • Alberta Express Entry
  • Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

Entrepreneurs

  • Farm Stream
  • Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

 

As well, the province has announced that it would be closing two previously existing streams in June 2018:

  • Alberta Strategic Recruitment
  • Alberta Employer-Driven

Alberta Opportunity Stream

The Alberta Opportunity Stream was launched in June 2018. This stream targets foreign nationals who are already working in Alberta and who have an official offer of employment from their Alberta employer to continue working full-time in the province. Candidates for this stream must meet a range of eligibility requirements regarding work experience, job offer, language proficiency, and education.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Alberta Express Entry stream was launched in June 2018. The stream allows the province to offer provincial nominations to select candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. Alberta will automatically consider profiles in the federal Express Entry pool. While the exact selection criteria is unknown, AAIP states that it will seek candidates who demonstrate strong ties to Alberta and who can support regional economic development and diversification.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination through this stream will a 600-point increase to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

The Accelerated Tech Pathway allows certain Express Entry candidates with an Albertan job offer at a company in a tech industry or in an eligible tech role to apply for nomination with expedited processing.

To be eligible for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, candidate must be eligible under the Alberta Express Entry stream. Candidates must also be working in one of 38 tech occupations identified as in-demand by the AAIP, or hold a job offer with Alberta employer that is part of an eligible tech industry.

AAIP Farm Stream

The Alberta Farm Stream targets foreign nationals with extensive experience owning and operating a farm who have the financial resources to launch a new farming operation in Alberta. Candidates for this stream must consult with the province and submit a highly detailed proposal outlining their plan to launch a new agricultural farm in Alberta.

Graduate Entrepreneur

The Graduate Entrepreneur stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions that wish to start and operate a business in the province. This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest to rank system candidates. Those with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Successful applicants will be issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Foreign Entrepreneur Stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to recent graduates who have completed a foreign post-secondary credential and who have an intention of starting and operating a business in the province of Alberta. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AAIP’s online portal and submit a Business Application for the chance to start a business in Alberta, and, eventually apply for permanent residence.

 

AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream (closed)

This stream was closed on June 14th, 2018. It is no longer accepting new applications. 

The Alberta Strategic Recruitment stream is currently closed. When it was active, it encompassed a range of immigration streams targeting candidates for Alberta’s labour force. The stream previously contained the following three programs:

  • Alberta Compulsory and Occupational Trades
  • Alberta Engineering Occupations
  • Alberta Post-Graduate Worker

AINP Employer-Driven Stream (closed)

This stream was closed on June 14th, 2018. It is no longer accepting new applications.

The Alberta Employer-Driven stream is currently closed. When it was active, it provided immigration options for applicants who have a valid job offer from an Alberta employer. The stream previously contained the following three programs:

  • Alberta Skilled Worker
  • Alberta International Graduate
  • Alberta Semi-Skilled Worker

The Alberta Farm Stream is an immigration stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Alberta. This stream is designed to target experienced farm owners and operators who wish to own and operate a farm in Alberta.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the Alberta Farm Stream will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. This program requires a highly individualized application based on the type of farm a person is proposing to launch in Saskatchewan.

The stream is jointly managed by AINP and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) so applicants will be required to consult with both organizations prior to submission.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyNo minimum
Level of EducationNo minimum
Work ExperienceFarm Management Experience
Investment RequirementInvestment: $500,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $500,000 CAD

Work Experience

All candidates must prove that they have the farm management skills required to successfully operate a farm in Alberta. In order to do this, AINP requires all applicants to submit financial documents of their existing farming business along with proof of education, training, and work experience related to farm management. The candidates for this stream also must provide an extensive business plan outlining their Alberta farm proposal. This plan must include proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance the proposed farming business.

 

Investment Requirement

Candidates must prove that they have the financial resources required to develop a sustainable farming operation. All candidates must be able to invest a minimum of $500,000 CAD of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta. To prove this, candidates must provide financial documents demonstrating that they have a minimum net worth of at least $500,000 CAD or that they have access to these funds from other sources.

Please note that the $500,000 CAD is a minimum amount. Alberta reserves the right to request applicants to demonstrate that they have the ability to invest more than the minimum.

All candidates must create and submit a detailed business plan outlining how they intend to invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta. This business plan must document how the applicant intends to utilize their investments. The province will give preference to applications representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta’s agri-food needs.

Application Procedure

The Alberta Farm Stream is always open to new applications. Eligible candidates can submit an application at any time and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates interested in applying should first contact Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) prior to preparing their application. Candidates must be assessed by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development before they can submit an application.

As the application requires applicants to provide evidence they have researched the farming environment in Alberta and Canada, candidates may wish to arrange an exploratory visit to Alberta prior to submitting an application.

Interested candidates must prepare a complete paper-based application. All documents must be prepared in hard copy and submitted in a single envelope, by mail, to the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) office, not the AINP office. The application requires significant documentation as well as forms proving that the applicant meets the stream requirements. The application requires documents proving the applicant’s farm management skills, financial resources, and proposed business plan. If AAF approves the application, the application will be forwarded to AINP for further assessment.

If AINP also approves the application, Alberta will notify the applicant they have been selected for provincial nomination. Successful applicants will receive an official nomination package in the mail from AINP.

After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Alberta Express Entry is a stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Alberta. The Alberta Express Entry stream selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool and invites them to apply for nomination by the province. The exact selection criteria for the program have not been made public; all Express Entry candidates will be considered.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the Alberta Express Entry stream will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system. In order to be eligible for the stream, a candidate must have an active profile in one of the following three Express Entry programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), or
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST), or
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

The program is by invitation only and foreign nationals cannot apply to the program directly. All candidates in the Express Entry pool are automatically considered for the program when they submit their Express Entry profile. The province will send a notification directly to the Express Entry accounts of those candidates it invites to apply.

While the exact selection criteria is unknown, AINP states that it will seek candidates who demonstrate strong ties to Alberta and who can support regional economic development and diversification.

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyExpress Entry requirement
Level of EducationExpress Entry requirement
Work ExperienceExpress Entry requirement
Investment RequirementNo

Express Entry Profile

Alberta Express Entry is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. In order to be considered, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile in either Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level 0 or A and CLB 5 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level B.
  • Federal Skilled Trades requires candidates to have licensing or certification to practice their trade in a province or territory in Canada or an offer for full-time employment in a position lasting at least 12-months. As well, all FST candidates must demonstrate language proficiency equal to at least CLB 4 in either English or French.

Language Proficiency

All candidates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for their program. A CLB 7 test score is required for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class candidates. A CLB 4 test score is required for Federal Skilled Trades candidates.

Application Procedure

The Alberta Express Entry stream operates on an invitation only basis. To apply to the stream, candidates who meet the minimum eligibility requirements must create an Express Entry profile. They must then wait to be issued a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the province of Alberta.

Note that simply meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a candidate will receive an invitation from Alberta. The province of Alberta reviews Express Entry profiles and contacts only those candidates the province may be interested in nominating. Only candidates who are contacted by Alberta are eligible to submit an application to the AINP for provincial nomination.

Once a candidate receives an NOI, they will be given a strict deadline for submitting a complete application to AINP.  If the province approves the application, Alberta will notify the applicant they have been selected for provincial nomination. This notification will be sent to the applicant’s IRCC online account. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s CRS score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Recent Draws

Below is a list of the most recent draws conducted by Alberta Express Entry. Please note that Alberta only posts draw information approximately one month after they occur.

The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is contained within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Alberta. The Accelerated Tech Pathway allows certain Express Entry candidates with an Albertan job offer at a company in a tech industry or in an eligible tech role to apply for nomination with expedited processing.

Candidates who meet the requirements of the Alberta Express Entry stream and meet the requirements of the Alberta Accelerated Tech Program may be eligible to receive accelerated application processing.

Individuals who are successfully nominated through the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway will be issued a work permit support letter, allowing them to apply for a temporary work permit. Successful nominees will also be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.

Job Offer Requirements

The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway has unique job offer requirements. An eligible job offer must be for one of 38 selected in-demand occupations or with an Albertan employer in an eligible tech industry.

The job offer or contract must be signed by you and your Alberta employer and should include details of your employment. The offer must be full-time, continuous, and for at least 12 months. The wage or salary must meet or exceed provincial minimum wage and any requirements set out in an LMIA if applicable. If an applicant does not have an LMIA, their job offer wage must meet or exceed the starting wage for their occupation across all industries in Alberta.

When submitting an Express Entry profile, a candidate’s  should also indicate the same primary NOC as the Alberta job offer.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, candidates must be eligible under the Alberta Express Entry stream.

Candidates must also be working in one of 38 tech occupations identified as in-demand by the AAIP, or hold a job offer with an Alberta employer that is part of an eligible tech industry.

Eligible occupations:

 

Application Procedure

The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is aligned with Alberta’s Express Entry stream. In order to apply for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, a foreign national should verify that they meet the industry or National Occupation Classification (NOC) code requirements for one of the 38 in-demand occupations. If this requirement is met, the person may initiate the application process by submitting details of their Express Entry profile, job offer, and employer to the AAIP. Alberta will then assess the details provided and invite eligible candidates to apply for nomination.

Accelerated Tech Pathway applicants will have their PNP application processed at an expedited rate. Successful nominees will be invited to accept the provincial nomination on their Express Entry profile. Upon accepting a nomination, candidates will receive 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points will allow candidates to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream is a stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Alberta. This stream targets foreign workers who are already living and working in Alberta and who have an offer of employment to continue working full-time for an Albertan employer.

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh School
Work Experience12 months, minimum
Investment RequirementNo

Connection to Province

Applicants must have valid status as a temporary resident in Canada which authorizes them to work. The candidate must be residing and working in the province of Alberta. Please note that refugee claimants are not eligible under this stream. Applicants must have a valid work permit (not implied status or restoration status) for an eligible occupation based on one of the following scenarios:

  • A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • A valid LMIA-exemption (including International Experience Canada)
  • A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holder must meet additional criteria:
    • The applicant’s occupation must be related to their field of study in Alberta

 

Job Offer

At the time an application is postmarked to AINP and at the time the application is assessed, the applicant must be working in an eligible occupation in Alberta which matches their previous work experience. Post-Graduation Work Permit holders must also be working in an occupation related to their field of study in Alberta. There are two lists of ineligible occupations:

  1. The Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list: This list applies to all applicants. If your occupation is on this list, you are not eligible to apply.
  2. The List of High-wage and low-wage occupations in the province of Alberta as indicated on Canada’s Refusal to Process an LMIA List: This list only applies to applicants who hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If you hold a PGWP and your occupation is on this list, then you are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must have a bona fide full-time job offer from their current Alberta employer to continue work in their current occupation. The job offer must be signed by the applicant and the employer and must offer continuous, full-time, paid work in the applicant’s current occupation in Alberta.

 

Language Proficiency 

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French, equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark of Level 4. This must be demonstrated by providing valid results from one of Canada’s approved language tests. The results must be no more than two years old at the time the application is postmarked.

Please note that as of January 1st, 2020, the language requirement will increase to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 in either English or French for applicants applying under NOC Skill Levels 0, A, or B. Candidates applying under NOC Skill Levels C or D will only require CLB 4 on their language tests.

Please note that applicants with the NOC Code 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies, and patient service associates) must achieve a minimum language test score of CLB 7 for each English language skill, or NCLC 7 for each French language skill.

 

Level of Education

All applicants must have completed a minimum of high school education in their country of origin.

 

Work Experience

At the time the application is postmarked and at the time AINP assesses the application, the applicant must be working in an occupation in Alberta which matches their previous work experience. PGWP holders must also be working in an occupation which matches their Alberta educational credential. The applicant must meet one of the three following scenarios for work experience:

  • A minimum of 12-months full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months; or
  • A minimum of 24-months full-time work experience in their current occupation in the last 30 months (can be obtained in Canada and/or abroad); or
  • For Post-Graduation Work Permit holders: A minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience in their current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months. This occupation must be related to their Alberta education.

Experience must have been full-time (30 hours/week) – part-time experience will not be considered. As well, applicants must have the proper regulation, licensing, and/or status in Canada to perform the occupation legally.

 

Settlement Funds

Please note that as of November 1st, 2018, AINP removed the requirement that applicants demonstrate they meet a minimum annual income. This is no longer a requirement of the program.

Application Procedure

The Alberta Opportunity Stream is always open to new applications. Eligible candidates can submit an application at any time and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested candidates must prepare a complete paper-based application. All documents must be prepared in hard copy and submitted in a single envelope, by mail, to the AINP office.

If the province approves the application, Alberta will notify the applicant they have been selected for provincial nomination. Successful applicants will receive an official nomination package in the mail from AINP.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is one stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Alberta. This stream offers a pathway to permanent residence to international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions that wish to start and operate a business in the province.

This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest system to rank candidates. Those with the highest-ranking points will be invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Successful applicants will be issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Program Requirements

Requirement
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceYes
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyMinimum CLB Level 7 in English or French
Level of EducationMinimum two-year qualifying Alberta credential
Work ExperienceNo
Investment RequirementNo minimum investment required
Work PermitYes

Level of Education

To be eligible for the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, candidates must have completed a minimum two-year degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution. The institution must render the applicant eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit

Work Experience

There is no minimum work experience requirement for this stream. However, a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience has been indicated as a factor that could increase a candidate’s chances of success under this program. The work experience should have been while actively managing or owning a business or equivalent. An equivalency can include the completion of entrepreneurship program courses or experience with an incubator or business accelerator.

Work Permit

Eligible candidates must have a valid post-graduate work permit at the time of submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.

Business Establishment

Candidates must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership.

Application Procedure

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AINP’s online portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be assigned a score and ranked against one another using the GES Points Grid. The highest-ranking candidates will be contacted by AINP and invited to submit a Business Plan.

Candidates invited to submit a Business Plan must submit a complete application to the stream within 90 days from when they receive the request to do so. The business plan must be evaluated by an AINP designated Qualified Service Provider. All online AINP Business Applications are subject to a $3,500 CAD application fee.

Candidates must sign a Business Performance Agreement. This is a legal agreement signed with Alberta that outlines the conditions under which the candidate will receive a nomination for permanent residence. Alberta will issue a Business Application Approval Letter once all parties have signed the Business Performance Agreement. Candidates are expected to meet the conditions of the business performance agreement and reside and operate their business in Alberta for at least 12 months before submitting a final report for AINP Nomination.  

After receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Alberta GES Points Ranking System

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream uses the following points-grid to rank candidates who have registered profiles. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Scoring SectionsMaximum Points
Management/Ownership Experience15
Economic Benefit15
Business Investment20
Job Creation15
Regional District5
Language                                          15
Alberta Education Level10
Age20
Spouse/Common-law Factors10
Alberta Relatives10
Maximum Score Available200

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) is one stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Alberta. The FGES offers a pathway to permanent residence to recent graduates who have completed a foreign post-secondary credential and who have an intention of starting and operating a business in the province of Alberta.

This stream uses a points-based Expression of Interest system to rank candidates. The highest-ranking candidates in the Expression of Interest pool are invited to submit a detailed Business Application. Applicants with successful Business Applications are issued a nomination by the province, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Program Requirements

Requirement
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceYes
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyMinimum CLB Level 5 in English or French
Level of EducationPost-secondary degree
Work ExperienceMinimum six months full-time
Investment RequirementMinimum $50,000 for regional area or $100,000 for urban area

Level of Education

To be eligible for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, candidates must have completed a post-secondary degree and obtained an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) report demonstrating its equivalence to a Canadian credential. The foreign credential must have been completed within the last ten years at the time of EOI submission.  

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least six months of relevant full-time work experience. This can be demonstrated through experience as an active business owner-manager, manager, or experience with a business incubator or business accelerator. 

Business Establishment

Candidates must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership if it is located in an urban area or at least 51% ownership if the business is located outside of Calgary or Edmonton.

Qualifying businesses must be in one of the following key or priority sectors:

  •       technology
  •       aerospace
  •       financial services
  •       energy
  •       agriculture
  •       tourism
  •       life sciences
  •       pharmaceuticals

Application Procedure

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile using AINP’s online portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be assigned a score and ranked against one another using the FGES Points Grid. The highest-ranking candidates will be contacted by AINP and invited to submit a Business Application.

Candidates invited to submit a Business Application must submit a complete application to the stream within 90 days from when they receive the request to do so. The business plan must be evaluated by an AINP designated agency and Qualified Service Provider. All online AINP Business Applications are subject to a $3,500 CAD application fee.

If AINP approves the Business Application, candidates must sign a Business Performance Agreement. This is a legal agreement signed with Alberta that outlines the conditions under which the candidate will receive a nomination for permanent residence. Alberta will issue a Business Application Approval Letter once all parties have signed the Business Performance Agreement. Candidates are expected to meet the conditions of the business performance agreement and reside and operate their business in Alberta for at least 12 months before submitting a final report for AINP Nomination. 

After receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Ranking System

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream uses the following points-grid to rank candidates who have registered profiles. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Scoring SectionsMaximum Points
Language30
Education35
Business Management/Ownership Experience35
Business Plan40
Investment prior to coming to Alberta25
Proposed investment after launch20
Job Creation15

Located on Canada’s west coast, British Columbia is recognized for the inimitable natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The province’s economic growth and labour force needs make it a top destination for immigration in Canada.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents in BC. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The province operates several immigration streams divided among two categories:

  • British Columbia Skills Immigration
  • British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration

BC Skills Immigration

British Columbia Skills Immigration targets foreign nationals who have the skills to become meaningful members of BC’s workforce. The pathways within BC Skills Immigration emphasize immigrants who have employment prospects in BC and who demonstrate the experience needed to secure and maintain employment as BC residents.

  • British Columbia Skilled Worker
  • British Columbia Healthcare Professional
  • British Columbia International Graduate
  • British Columbia International Post-Graduate
  • British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS)

British Columbia Express Entry

Candidates are not required to be eligible for Express Entry to apply to the BC Skills Immigration streams. However, most of the programs contained within BC Skills Immigration offer an accelerated pathway to permanent residence for eligible candidates who have an active Express Entry profile. Refer to the application procedure of each stream to determine whether it offers an Express Entry pathway.

BC Entrepreneur Immigration

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration targets foreign nationals and foreign companies who have demonstrated track records of success in business ownership, management, and investment. Individual entrepreneurs with significant personal net worth and international corporations with high annual revenues may immigrate to BC through the establishment of new enterprises in the province.

  • British Columbia Entrepreneur
  • British Columbia Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
  • British Columbia Strategic Projects

BC PNP Tech

BC PNP Tech targets skilled foreign nationals working in one of BC’s in-demand tech occupations. The Tech program is aligned with BC Skills Immigration, so interested applicants should review the various streams contained within the Skills Immigration category. BC PNP Tech enables eligible foreign nationals to receive faster processing and additional resources through applications.

British Columbia Skills Immigration is a collection of immigration streams contained within the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of British Columbia. Through the BC Skills Immigration streams, workers and international graduates with the skills, education, and/or experience required to successfully contribute to the BC economy may be nominated for Canadian permanent residence.

The following streams are part of BC Skills Immigration:

  • BC Skilled Worker
  • BC Healthcare Professional
  • BC International Graduate
  • BC International Post-Graduate
  • BC Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker

The majority of programs contained within BC Skills Immigration require an applicant to have a job offer from a BC employer. Notably, the job offer does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to be considered valid under BC Skills Immigration. If approved for a provincial nomination through a Skills Immigration stream, BC will provide applicants with a work permit support letter, assisting them obtaining authorization to work while their immigration application is in processing. Candidates for BC Skills Immigration must register through BC PNP Online, the web portal managing the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). This online system manages the intake, ranking, and applications for BC PNP applications.

British Columbia Express Entry

Candidates are not required to be eligible for Express Entry to apply to the BC Skills Immigration streams. However, most of the programs contained within BC Skills Immigration offer an accelerated pathway to permanent residence for eligible candidates who have an active Express Entry profile. Application procedures through Express Entry compared to not through Express Entry are identical until an applicant receives a nomination from the province and must submit a federal application for permanent residence. Federal applications for Express Entry candidates are submitted online using the IRCC web portal and are processed in approximately 6 months. Federal applications for non-Express Entry candidates must be submitted as paper-based applications, in hard copy, to the appropriate processing centre. Paper-based applications are processed in approximately 18 months. Please note that the BC Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker stream does not have an Express Entry stream.

Did you know?

Candidates with experience in certain tech occupations may be eligible for accelerated processing and other benefits through the BC PNP Tech program.

BC Skilled Worker

The British Columbia Skilled Worker stream is designed to target immigrants who have an offer of employment from a BC employer for a skilled occupation. Eligible candidates are assigned points based on the BC Skills Immigration Ranking System and only individuals with the most competitive ranking are invited to apply to the PNP.

BC Healthcare Professional

The British Columbia Healthcare Professional stream is designed to target immigrants who have an offer of employment from a BC health authority for an eligible occupation in healthcare. If a foreign national meets the requirements for the program, they can submit an application at any time.

BC International Graduate

The British Columbia International Graduate stream is designed for recent graduates from Canadian post-secondary educational institutions who have an offer of employment from a BC employer in a skilled position. Eligible candidates are assigned points based on the BC Skills Immigration Ranking System and only individuals with the most competitive ranking are invited to apply to the PNP.

BC International Post-Graduate

The British Columbia International Post-Graduate stream is designed for recent graduates who have received a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an eligible institution in British Columbia. Only certain schools and programs are eligible for this pathway. If a foreign national meets the requirements for the program, they can submit an application at any time.

BC Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled

The British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS) stream is designed to target those with 9 months of work experience in a low-skilled occupation in BC who have received an offer of employment from a BC employer. In order to be eligible, the worker must have gained work experience in one of the target occupations or in a certain geographical region of the province. Eligible candidates are assigned points based on the BC Skills Immigration Ranking System and only individuals with the most competitive ranking are invited to apply to the PNP. Candidates who are eligible for this stream cannot apply through Express Entry.

British Columbia Skills Immigration Ranking System

The British Columbia Skills Immigration Ranking system uses the following points grid to rank candidates who have registered profiles. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

FactorMaximum Points
Economic Factors (120)Skill Level of the B.C. Job Offer60
Wage of the B.C. Job Offer50
Regional District of Employment10
Human Capital Factors (80)Directly Related Work Experience25
Highest Level of Education25
Language30
Total Available Points200

*Note that not all BC Skills Immigration streams use the BC Skilled Immigration Ranking System.

 

British Columbia Skilled Worker – Recent Draws & Invitation History

Below is the information regarding recent British Columbia Skills Immigration draws from all categories:

British Columbia Skills Immigration by Draw Type
Draw Types (Healthcare, Tech, Childcare and Others)

 

British Columbia Skills Immigration Draws By Stream

 

BC Express Entry – Skilled Worker Draws
BC Express Entry – International Graduate Draws
BC Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker Draws
BC Skills Immigration – International Graduate Draws
BC Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Draws

The BC PNP Tech program is contained within the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of British Columbia. BC PNP Tech allows candidates with job offers in in-demand tech occupations to apply for provincial nomination with expedited processing through the BC PNP.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the BC PNP Tech program will be issued a work permit support letter, allowing them to apply for a temporary work permit. As well, they will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. BC PNP Tech is not an immigration program. Candidates who are eligible and have registered a profile for one of the BC PNP Skills Immigration programs, and who meet the requirements for the BC Tech program may be able to receive accelerated application processing and other benefits.

Job Offer Requirements

The BC PNP Tech program has unique job offer requirements. In order to qualify for the Tech program, your job offer must be for one of 29 selected in-demand occupations. The offer does not need to be indefinite, but it must be for a period of at least one year. If the applicant is already working for the employer in the position that is being offered to them, they must have at least 120 days remaining in that position at the time they submit their application.

Eligible Occupations

In order to be eligible for the BC PNP Tech program, candidate must be registered for one of the BC Skills Immigration programs. Candidates must also be working in one of 29 tech occupations identified as in-demand by the BC PNP:

Application Procedure

The BC PNP Tech program is aligned with BC’s Skills Immigration programs. The programs best fitting for the Tech program are the BC Skilled Worker and BC International Graduate programs. In order to apply for the BC PNP Tech program, a foreign national should verify that they meet the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code requirements for one of the 29 in-demand occupations. If this requirement is met, the person may initiate the application process by registering a profile with BC PNP Online.

Once the profile is registered, the applicant can follow the application procedure for the BC Skills Immigration program for which they are eligible. BC PNP Tech applicants receive a number of advantages when going through the provincial nomination process. First, additional rounds of invitations to apply are issued on a weekly basis for qualifying Tech candidates. Second, applicants will have their PNP application processed at an expedited rate. Finally, employers are able to access the Tech program “concierge services” to assist with the hiring of foreign nationals through this program.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration is a category of immigration streams contained within the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of British Columbia. The BC Entrepreneur immigration streams target foreign nationals with demonstrated experience owning and operating businesses who wish to invest their finances and expertise in business opportunities in the province of British Columbia.

Candidates for BC Entrepreneur immigration are required to purchase a new or existing business in BC and become involved in the active day-to-day management of the BC operation. The entrepreneurial streams offer opportunities for wealthy individuals with business management experience, as well as wealthy foreign-owned companies who wish to expand the reach of their enterprise into British Columbia. Successful applicants will eventually receive a provincial nomination by the province of BC which will support applications for Canadian permanent residence. The three streams contained within British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration are:

  • British Columbia Entrepreneur
  • British Columbia Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
  • British Columbia Strategic Projects

BC Entrepreneur

The British Columbia Entrepreneur stream targets experienced business owners and managers who wish to live in British Columbia permanently. Applicants must demonstrate management experience as well as significant personal net worth. Successful applicants will be required to invest in the purchase and management of a new or existing BC business. After proving the successful operation of a BC business, the applicant becomes eligible for Canadian permanent residence.

BC Entrepreneur Regional Pilot

The BC Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Stream of the BC PNP is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to invest in and manage a business in British Columbia. Applicants must be referred by one of the program’s participating communities in BC.

BC Strategic Projects

British Columbia Strategic Projects targets successful foreign-owned companies who wish to establish a new branch or operation in BC. Companies must prove their ability to generate significant annual revenue alongside the management of large staff teams. Successful companies will be required to transfer key staff to BC to manage their new proposed operation. After proving the successful operation of their BC enterprise, these key staff members become eligible for Canadian permanent residence.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Ranking System

The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration stream uses the following points-grid to rank candidates who have registered profiles. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program. Please note that the BC Entrepreneur Regional Pilot uses a separate ranking system.  

Scoring SectionsPoints
Self-declared
Experience20
Ownership4
Net Worth12
Total Personal Investment20
Jobs20
Regional District12
Adaptability32
Self-declared SUBTOTAL score120
Business concept
Commercial Viability30
Transferability of Skills20
Economic Benefits30
Business concept SUBTOTAL score80
Maximum Score Available200

 

 

Experience Total Duration

 
Experience Total DurationPoints
Business owner-manager experience
Less than 12 months0
12 to 24 months4
25 to 36 months6
37 to 48 months12
49 to 60 months15
More than 60 months20
Senior manager work experience
Less than 24 months0
24 to 48 months4
49 to 60 months8
More than 60 months12
Maximum Score Available20

Ownership Amount

Ownership AmountPoints
Business ownership
Less than three years of 100% business ownership in the past five years0
100% ownership of a business for at least three of the last five years4
Maximum Score Available4
 

Personal Net Worth

Personal Net WorthPoints
Your total current assets (cash and liquid funds)
Less than $50,0000
$50,000 to $199,9992
$200,000 to $399,9993
$400,000 or more4
Your total personal net worth
Less than $600,0000
$600,000 to $799,9995
$800,000 to $1,999,9996
$2,000,000 to $4,999,9997
$5,000,000 or more8
Maximum Score Available12
 

Personal Investment

Total Personal InvestmentPoints
Less than $200,0000
$200,000 to $399,9998
$400,000 to $599,99910
$600,000 to $999,99911
$1,000,000 to $1,999,99912
$2,000,000 to $3,999,99914
$4,000,000 to $7,999,99916
$8,000,000 or more20
Maximum Score Available20
 

Total Proposed Full Time Jobs

Total Proposed FTE JobsPoints
Less than 10
1 job8
2 jobs9
3 jobs10
4 jobs11
5 jobs12
6 jobs13
7 – 9 jobs14
10 – 19 jobs16
20 or more jobs20
Maximum Score Available20
 

Location Based on BC Region District

Location Based on B.C. Regional DistrictPoints
500,000 people or more0
200,000 to 499,9991
100,000 to 199,9993
70,000 to 99,9996
60,000 to 69,9998
35,000 to 59,99910
Fewer than 35,000 people12
Maximum Score Available12
 

Adaptability Factors

Adaptability FactorPoints
English language proficiency
None or minimal, similar to CLB 3 and below0
Basic understanding, similar to CLB 42
Intermediate and advanced, similar to CLB 5 and above4
Education level
Secondary school or less0*
Associate degree2
Diploma / certificate (non-trades)2
Diploma / certificate (trades)2
Bachelor’s degree5
Post-graduate diploma / certificate5
Master’s degree8
Doctorate / PhD8
Age
Less than 250
25 – 344
35 – 448
45 – 546
55 – 644
65 or older0
Business exploratory visits
No, or visited B.C. more than 3 years ago0
Yes, visited B.C. 1 – 3 years ago1
Yes, visited B.C. less than 1 year ago, but did not visit the Regional District of the proposed business2
Yes, visited the Regional District of the proposed business less than 1 year ago4
Canadian work experience, business experience, or studies from within Canada for at least 12 months
No0
Yes8
Maximum Score Available32
 

Overall Commercial Viability

Overall Commercial ViabilityPoints
Business model10
Unsatisfactory / Unclear1
Fair5
Good10
Market & products/services4
Does not satisfactorily address any of the Market/Product factors1
Addresses at least one of the Market/Product factors, and is consistent with Business Model4
Eligible personal investment4
Less than $200,000 or less than $50,000 of eligible expansion investments0*
$200,000 to $399,9991
$400,000 to $599,9992**
$600,000 to $799,9993
$800,000 or more4
Assessment of proposed personal investment6
Investment proposal does not correspond to the type or scale of the business0
Investment proposal corresponds to the type and scale of the business4
Investment proposal corresponds to the type and scale of the business, the market, the proposed products and/or services, the business model, and the industry standard.6
Ownership percentage4
100% ownership4
More than 50% and less than 100%3
33 1/3% to 50%2
Less than 33 1/3% ownership*0
Risk factors2
– proposing external financing
OR
– proposing to invest more than 50% of your PNW
OR
– you are proposing to partner with a co-registrant		0
None of the above2
Maximum Score Available30
 

Transferability of Skills

Transferability of SkillsPoints
Business experience only20
12+ months of experience in an unrelated industry2
12 months or less of direct experience or 12 to 36 months of related experience5
13 to 24 months of direct experience or 37+ months of related experience8
13 to 24 months of direct experience and 37+ months of related experience10
25 to 36 months of direct experience12
25 to 36 months of direct experience and 37+ months of related experience14
37 to 60 months of direct experience16
37 to 60 months of direct experience and 37+ months of related experience18
More than 60 months of direct experience20
Work experience only14
12+ months of experience in an unrelated industry2
12 months or less of direct experience or 12 to 36 months of related experience4
13 to 36 months of direct experience or 37+ months of related experience6
13 to 36 months of direct experience and 37+ months of related experience8
37 to 60 months of direct experience10
37 to 60 months of direct experience and 37+ months of related experience12
More than 60 months of direct experience14
Language ability2
Minimal to none (Similar to CLB 3 or below)0
Basic language proficiency (Similar to CLB 4)1
Intermediate or above language proficiency (Similar to CLB 5 or above)2
Maximum Score Available20
 

Overall Economic Benefit

Overall Economic Benefit PointsPoints
Key Sector & Significant Economic Benefit12
Does not identify or substantiate any key sectors or any significant economic benefits3
Substantiates at least 1 key sector or at least 1 significant economic benefit8
Substantiates at least 1 key sector and at least 1 significant economic benefit12
Jobs assessment6
The business concept does not support the creation of at least 1 FTE position, or, if proposing a key staff, the creation of at least 3 FTE positions0
Jobs plan does not correspond to the type and scale of the business1
Jobs plan corresponds to the type and scale of the business6
High-skilled jobs (NOC 0, A or B)4
Business concept does not propose or substantiate hiring any high-skilled positions0
Business concept substantiates the creation/maintenance of 1 high-skilled position2
Business concept substantiates the creation/maintenance of 2 or more highskilled positions4
Regional Development8
Lower Mainland / Southwest2
Vancouver Island and Coast4
Thompson / Okanagan4
Cariboo6
Kootenay8
Nechako8
North Coast8
Northeast8
Maximum Score Available30
 

British Columbia Entrepreneur – Recent Draws & Invitation History

Below is the information regarding recent British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

Located in one of Canada’s western Prairie provinces, Manitoba is a province built upon generations of rich agricultural production. Manitoba hosts the city of Winnipeg, and is bordered on the east by the province of Ontario and on the west by the province of Saskatchewan.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, recent graduates, and agricultural entrepreneurs.

The province operates several immigration streams divided among four categories:

  • Skilled Workers in Manitoba (SWM)
  • Skilled Workers Overseas (SWO)
  • International Education Stream (IES)
  • Business Investor Stream (BIS)

Please note that the province will be undergoing significant changes throughout 2018. Refer to the MPNP Renewal details, listed below, for further information in this regard.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

Skilled Workers in Manitoba encompasses three immigration streams designed to target workers who have already gained employment experience or offers of employment in Manitoba. Candidates for this stream must be currently working and living in Manitoba at the time of their application, or, in certain cases, they may be invited to apply after attending a recruitment session with MPNP overseas.

  • Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream
  • Manitoba Experience Pathway – Coming soon
  • Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway – Coming soon

Skilled Workers Overseas

Skilled Workers Overseas encompasses three immigration streams designed to target skilled workers who have the ability to join Manitoba’s work force and adapt easily to life in the province. All streams of this category prioritize workers who have experience in Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations.

  • Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas Stream
  • Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
  • Manitoba Human Capital Pathway – Coming soon

International Education Stream

The International Education Stream (IES) targets recent graduates from designated post-secondary institutions located in the province of Manitoba. Candidates for this category must have some amount of work experience or business management experience from the province, either completed after graduation or during their program of study as part of an internship or co-op. There are three pathways within this stream:

  • Manitoba Career Employment Pathway 
  • Manitoba Graduate Internship Pathway
  • Manitoba Student Entrepreneur Pathway

Business Investor Stream

Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream (BIS) is a collection of two immigration streams designed for individuals with business management experience who wish to launch a new business endeavour in Manitoba. The entrepreneurial stream is for general entrepreneurs with business proposals in a range of sectors, while the farm investor stream is designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the farming sector.

  • Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway 
  • Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway

Manitoba In-Demand Occupations

Several streams of the MPNP prefer candidates who have work experience in one of the province’s in-demand occupations listed below. This is not a mandatory requirement for all of these streams, but in certain cases will give the candidate an advantage for selection. Please note that French-speakers are exempt from having experience in an in-demand occupation to be eligible for MPNP.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba (SWM) is a collection of immigration streams of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Manitoba. Skilled Workers in Manitoba encompasses three immigration streams which target foreign nationals who already have employment experience or a job offer in Manitoba and who possess the necessary skills and training to succeed in the Manitoba labour force.

The Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream includes the following pathways:

  • Manitoba Experience Pathway – Coming soon
  • Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway – Coming soon

Applicants who are successful through the Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream will receive an official provincial nomination from Manitoba. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Interested candidates should be aware that simply meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee success. All candidates will be ranked against one another using the MPNP Ranking System and only the most competitive candidates will be invited to submit applications.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream

Skilled Workers in Manitoba is a stream of the Skilled Workers in Manitoba Category which targets foreign nationals who already have work experience in Manitoba and are working in the province at the time of application. This stream is highly competitive, only selecting applicants with the most competitive profiles.

Manitoba Experience Pathway

The Manitoba Experience Pathway is a pathway of the Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream. This pathway targets foreign nationals who already have work experience in Manitoba and are working in the province at the time of application. This stream is highly competitive, only selecting applicants with the most competitive profiles.

Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

The Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway is a pathway of the Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream. This pathway is for candidates who attended an interview with the MPNP and an employer outside of Canada. Those candidates who successfully receive a job offer through one of these recruitment sessions will be invited to submit an application to the stream.

MPNP Ranking System

The following system is used to assign all MPNP candidates a score after the submission of their Expression of Interest (EOI). Those candidates with the highest scores will be invited to apply to the program. 

Overview of Factors

FactorMaximum Points
Language Proficiency125
Age75
Work Experience175
Education125
Adaptability500
Risk Assessment-200
Total1000

Language

 
Language ProficiencyRanking Points
First Official Language
CLB 8 or higher25 per band
CLB 722 per band
CLB 620 per band
CLB 517 per band
CLB 412 per band
CLB 3 or lower0
Second Official Language
CLB 5 or higher (overall)25
Maximum Points125

Age

 
AgeRanking Points
1820
1930
2040
21 to 4575
4640
4730
4820
4910
50 or older0
Maximum Points75

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceRanking Points
less than one year0
one year40
two years50
three years60
four years or more75
Fully recognized by provincial licensing body100
Maximum Points175

Education

 
EducationRanking Points
Master’s degree or Doctorate125
Two post-secondary programs of at least two years each115
One post-secondary program of three years or more110
One post-secondary program of two years100
One-year post-secondary program70
Trade Certificate70
No formal post-secondary education0
Maximum Points125

Adaptability

 
AdaptabilityRanking Points
Connection to Manitoba
Close relative in Manitoba200
Previous authorized work experience in Manitoba (six months or more)100
Completed post-secondary program in Manitoba (two years or more)100
Completed post-secondary program in Manitoba (one year)50
Close friend or distant relative in Manitoba50
Manitoba Demand
Ongoing employment in Manitoba for six months or more with long-term job offer from the same employer500
Invitation to Apply under a Strategic Initiative500
Regional Development
Immigration destination in Manitoba outside of Winnipeg50
Maximum Points500

Risk Factor

 
Risk FactorRanking Points
Close relative in another province and no close relative in Manitoba0
Work experience in another province-100
Studies in another province-100
Previous immigration application to another province0
Maximum Points-200

Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas (SWO) is a collection of immigration streams of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Manitoba. Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas encompasses three immigration streams which target foreign nationals who have the skills and experience needed to make lasting contributions to Manitoba’s labour force.

Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas includes the following streams:

  • Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas Stream
  • Manitoba Express Entry Pathway
  • Manitoba Human Capital Pathway – Coming soon

Applicants who are successful through any of these Manitoba streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Manitoba. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

In order to be eligible for all three streams included in the Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas category, candidates must score a minimum of 60 points on the MPNP Points Assessment Grid.

Skilled Workers Overseas Stream

Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas is a stream of Manitoba’s Skilled Workers Overseas Category which targets foreign nationals who have the skills and foreign work experience required to contribute to Manitoba’s labour force and who can demonstrate a connection to the province. This stream is highly competitive, only selecting applicants with the most competitive profiles and who have experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations.

Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

The Manitoba Express Entry Pathway is a stream of Manitoba’s Skilled Workers Overseas Category which targets foreign nationals who have active Express Entry profiles along with the skills and foreign work experience required to contribute to Manitoba’s labour force. This stream is highly competitive, only selecting applicants with the most competitive profiles and who have experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations.

Manitoba Human Capital Pathway

The Manitoba Human Capital Pathway is a stream of Manitoba’s Skilled Workers Overseas Category which targets foreign nationals who have the skills and foreign work experience required to contribute to Manitoba’s labour force. This stream is highly competitive, only selecting applicants with the most competitive profiles and preferring those with have experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations.

MPNP Points Assessment Grid

In order to be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Skilled Workers Overseas category, a candidate must score at least 60 points on the MPNP Points Assessment Grid.

Overview of Factors

FactorMaximum Points
Language Proficiency25
Age10
Work Experience15
Education25
Adaptability25
Minimum Pass Score60

Factor 1 – Language

 
Language ProficiencyRanking Points
First Official Language
CLB 8 or higher20
CLB 718
CLB 616
CLB 514
CLB 412
CLB 3 or lower0
Second Official Language
CLB 5 or higher (overall)5
Maximum Points25

Factor 2 – Age

 
AgeRanking Points
184
196
208
21 to 4510
468
476
484
492
50 or older0
Maximum Points10

Factor 3 – Work

 
Years of work experienceRanking Points
less than one year0
one year8
two years10
three years12
four years or more15
Maximum Points15

Factor 4 – Education

 
Highest level of completed educationRanking Points
Master’s degree or Doctorate25
Two post-secondary programs of at least two years each23
One post-secondary program of two years or more20
One-year post-secondary program14
Trade Certificate14
No formal post-secondary education0
Maximum Points25

Factor 5 – Connection

 
Connection to ManitobaRanking Points
Close relative in Manitoba20
Invitation to Apply received from MPNP as part of recruitment mission or exploratory visit20
Previous work experience in Manitoba (at least 6 months)12
Completed post-secondary program of two years or more in Manitoba12
Completed post-secondary program of at least one year in Manitoba10
Friend or distant relative living in Manitoba10
Regional Immigration*5
Maximum Points25
*Regional Immigration points are awarded if a candidate’s connection to Manitoba is for a region outside of the city of Winnipeg. Please note that these points are supplemental only and must be awarded in conjunction with another connection to the province.

MPNP In-Demand Occupations List

Manitoba prefers candidates who have work experience in one of the province’s in-demand occupations listed below. Please note that French-speakers are exempt from having experience in an in-demand occupation to be eligible for MPNP.

Manitoba Recent Draws – Skilled Worker Overseas

Below is the history of Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) issued for Skilled Worker Overseas Pathway.

The Manitoba International Education Stream (IES) includes three pathways of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Manitoba. Manitoba’s International Education Stream targets international students who have recently graduated from a post-secondary institution in the province of Manitoba.

Manitoba International Education includes the following streams:

  • Manitoba Career Employment Pathway
  • Manitoba Graduate Internship Pathway
  • Manitoba Student Entrepreneur Pathway

Applicants who are successful through this Manitoba stream will receive an official provincial nomination from Manitoba. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Career Employment Pathway

The Career Employment Pathway targets foreign nationals who have recently graduated from a post-secondary institution in Manitoba and have a offer of employment to work in an in-demand occupation in Manitoba.

Graduate Internship Pathway

The Manitoba Graduate Internship Pathway accepts applications from international graduates who have completed a Masters or PhD program in Manitoba within the last 3 years and who completed a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship.

Student Entrepreneur Pathway

The Manitoba Student Entrepreneur Pathway targets foreign nationals who have recently graduated from a Manitoba post-secondary institution and who have at least 6-months experience owning and managing a business in Manitoba.

MPNP Recent Draws – International Education Stream

Below is the history of Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) issued for all MPNP streams for the International Education Stream.

Manitoba Business Investor Stream (BIS) is a collection of immigration streams of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Manitoba. Manitoba Business Investor Stream encompasses two immigration streams which target foreign nationals seeking to invest significant amounts of capital in the establishment of new business development in Manitoba.

Manitoba Business Investor Stream includes the following streams:

  • Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway 
  • Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway 

Applicants who are successful through either of these Manitoba streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Manitoba. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway

The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway is a stream of Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream which targets experienced business owners and business managers who have significant personal net worth and the ability and desire to establish a new business practice in Manitoba. Applicants through this stream will be required to invest significant funds and successfully manage the operation of a new business project in Manitoba.

Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway

The Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway is a stream of Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream. This stream targets foreign nationals with demonstrated experience owning and/or operating a farm and who have significant net worth and the ability and desire to invest in the establishment of a new farm in Manitoba. Applicants through this stream will be required to invest significant funds and successfully manage the operation of a new farm in Manitoba.

The province of New Brunswick is located on Canada’s east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The province plays host to a number of unique Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) designed to attract and retain newcomers who will be able to fill gaps in the workforce and contribute meaningfully to local economies and communities.

The province operates several immigration streams:

  • New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream
  • New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream
  • New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
  • New Brunswick Skilled Workers with Employer Support
  • New Brunswick Skilled Workers with Family Support – Terminated

The province of New Brunswick regularly organizes events overseas for foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada. Please refer to our schedule of upcoming New Brunswick information sessions and job fairs. Those who are successful through these information sessions will be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the New Brunswick PNP or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream

The New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream (EELMS) provides a pathway to permanent residence for highly skilled individuals who have expressed an interest in the stream. This program is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system, enabling successful applicants to receive expedited processing on their immigration applications.

New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream (closed)

Note: As of October 18th, 2018, this program was temporarily closed and will not be accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs).

This program is expected to reopen in the future. The New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream targets experienced business owners or senior business managers who are willing to invest in a New Brunswick business which they will manage. In order to qualify, applicants must have a significant net worth and be willing to use their business management experience to start a new business or purchase an existing business in New Brunswick.

Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream targets recent graduates of New Brunswick universities and colleges who have started or bought a New Brunswick business and operated it for at least one year. If an applicant meets these requirements and intends to settle in New Brunswick permanently, they may qualify for a provincial nomination through this stream.

Skilled Workers with Employer Support Stream

The New Brunswick Skilled Workers with Employer Support Stream targets high skilled foreign workers with a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer.

Skilled Workers with Family Support Stream – Terminated

The New Brunswick Skilled Workers with Family Support Stream targeted high skilled foreign workers who are currently working in New Brunswick and who have a close relative in the province. The program was terminated in February, 2018.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

New Brunswick participates in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). The AIPP is a economic growth initiative developed in partnership between the federal government and Canada’s Atlantic provinces. AIPP facilitates the immigration process for newcomers who have obtained a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region.

New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream (EELMS) is one of the streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of New Brunswick. This stream is designed to target high-skilled foreign workers who can contribute to the New Brunswick economy.

Note that the New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, and will only accept EOIs from individuals who meet specific conditions, which are separate from the eligibility criteria for the stream. As of July 26th 2019, the program is accepting EOIs from those who meet the following criteria:

  • Must have an active Express Entry profile
  • Must be currently living and working in New Brunswick, a letter of employment from the employer must be included with the EOI
  • Must be working in a position at NOC Code 0, A, or B, NOC code must be included with the EOI
  • Must hold a valid Canadian Work Permit
  • Must have a valid language test scores in either English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7 (CLB 7)
  • Must have an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) showing education equivalent to a Canadian High School diploma

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system. In order to be eligible for the stream, a candidate must have an active profile in Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.

The province of New Brunswick regularly organizes events overseas for foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada. Please refer to our schedule of upcoming New Brunswick information sessions and job fairs. Those who are successful through these information sessions may be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the New Brunswick PNP or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceNOC 0, A, or B
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Profile

New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. In order to be considered, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile. Note that candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program to be eligible for this stream.

 

Language Proficiency

All candidates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of full-time, continuous work experience in an occupation identified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 22 and 55 years old on the day their application is received.

 

Selection Factors

Candidates must score at least 67 points on the stream’s selection factors.

 

Expression of Interest

Candidates must be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest to the stream. The requirements to submit an Expression of Interest are separate from the eligibility requirements of the stream and change frequently. As of October 1st, 2018, the program was temporarily closed to new EOIs. Those interested will have to wait for the program to reopen. Previously, the program has prioritized applicants with New Brunswick work experience or offers of employment, French-language proficiency, experience in an in-demand occupation, and/or having relatives living in New Brunswick.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Application Procedure

The New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who are eligible for the stream must first submit a profile to the federal Express Entry pool and then submit an EOI to the NBPNP by email. The NBPNP also sometimes pauses intake of new EOIs. Unlike most other provinces, New Brunswick does not publish when they will open to accept new EOIs.  The NBPNP will review the EOIs received, and invite some applicants to submit complete applications for provincial nomination.

The province of New Brunswick will, on occasion, be inviting candidates directly from the Federal Express Entry pool. These candidates may not have submitted an Expression of Interest to the program, and their selection will be based on their eligibility for the stream and the labour-market needs of New Brunswick. Candidates selected directly from the pool will receive a Letter of Interest from the province through their Express Entry account.

Applicants will be chosen based on how highly they rank on the New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream Selection Factors. Applicants who are invited to do so must submit a complete application for provincial nomination within 60 days of receiving the invitation. This stream charges a $250 CAD application fee per applicant. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from New Brunswick, which they have 30 days to accept.

After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream Selection Factors

FactorMax Points
Language Proficiency28
Education25
Age12
Work Experience15
Arranged Employment10
Adaptability10
Minimum Pass Score67

Age

 
AgePoints
Younger than 220
22-3512
3611
3710
389
398
407
416
425
434
443
452
461
47 and older0
Maximum12

Language

 
Language ProficiencyPoints
First Official LanguageSpeakingListeningReadingWriting
CLB Level 9 or higher6666
CLB Level 85555
CLB Level 74444
Second Official Language    
CLB Level 5 or higher in all four abilities

4

 

Maximum28

Education

 
EducationPoints
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level or equal25
University degree at the Master’s level or equal OR university level entry-to-practice professional degree (or equal). Occupation related to the degree must be:

1) NOC 2011 Skill Level A, and
2) Licensed by a provincial regulatory body.

Note: Degree program must be in one of these fields of study: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Law, Chiropractic Medicine or Pharmacy.		23
Two or more post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equal
(at least one must be for a program of at least three years).		22
Post-secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer, or equal.21
Post-secondary degree or diploma for a two-year program, or equal.19
Post-secondary degree or diploma for a one-year program, or equal.15
High school diploma, or equal.5
Maximum25

Adaptability

 
AdaptabilityPoints
Your spouse or partner’s language level

Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (IELTS Listening 4.0, Reading 4.5, Writing 3.5, Speaking 4.0)		5
Your past study in New Brunswick

You finished at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in New Brun, and stayed in good academic standing during that time.		5
Your spouse or partner’s past study in New Brunswick

Your spouse or common-law partner finished at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in New Brunswick, and stayed in good academic standing during that time.		5
Your past work in New Brunswick

You did at least one year of full-time work in New Brunswick (NOC Skill Type 0, A or B) with a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		10
Your spouse or partner’s past work in New Brunswick

Your spouse or common-law partner did at least one year of full-time work in New Brunswick on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		5
Arranged Employment in New Brunswick

You earned points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment		5
Relatives in New Brunswick

You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is living in New Brunswick AND 18 years or older AND a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, either a:

parent,
grandparent,
child,
grandchild,
child of a parent (sibling),
child of a grandparent (aunt or uncle),
or grandchild of a parent (niece or nephew)		5
Maximum Points10

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
6 or more years15
4-5 years13
2-3 years11
1 year9
Maximum15

Arranged Employment

 
IfAndPoints
You currently work in Canada on a temporary work permit.Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued)

and

IRCC issued your work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Your employer would have applied for the LMIA, which you then had to attach to your application to IRCC

and

You are working for an employer named on your work permit who has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.		10
You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement under an international agreement (such as, the North America Free Trade Agreement) or a federal-provincial agreement.Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued)

and

Your current employer has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker		10
You currently do not have a work permit, or do not plan to work in Canada before you get a permanent resident visa.

OR

You are currently working in Canada and adifferent employer has offered to give you a permanent full-time job

OR

You are currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but not under an international or federal-provincial agreement.		An employer has made you a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker

and

The employer has a positive Labour Impact Assessment from ESDC		10
Maximum10

The New Brunswick Entrepreneurial stream is one of the streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of New Brunswick. This stream is designed to target experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in New Brunswick.

Successful applicants must start a new business or buy an existing business in which they participate in the day-to-day management duties. The province of New Brunswick regularly organizes events overseas for foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada. Please refer to our schedule of upcoming New Brunswick information sessions and job fairs. Those who are successful through these information sessions will be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the New Brunswick PNP or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

Program Requirements

Requirements 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceYes
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 5
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership and management
3 years
Investment RequirementInvestment: 250,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: 600,000 CAD

Connection to New Brunswick

Only candidates who have an eligible connection to New Brunswick may submit an Expression of Interest to the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial stream. Candidates must have either visited New Brunswick for at least five business days within the last 24 months, or have participated in an Entrepreneurial Stream information session within the last 24 months to be eligible.

 

Language Proficiency

To be eligible for the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream, all candidates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed either an academic degree from a college or university that required at least three years of full-time study, or a diploma in a specific trade that required at least two years of full-time study.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have sufficient work experience to demonstrate that they can successfully establish and run a business in New Brunswick. They must own at least one third (33.3%) of a business that they actively managed for at least three out of the last five years. The candidate must have been responsible for supervising at least two employees.

 

Investment Requirement

Candidates need to demonstrate that they have a minimum personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD. At least $300,000 CAD of their net worth must be readily available and unencumbered. To succeed through this stream, the candidate will have to invest at least $250,000 CAD in the business that they establish and actively manage in New Brunswick.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 22 and 55 years old on the day their application is received.

 

Points Assessment Grid

Candidates must score at least 65 points on the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid.

 

Business Requirements

Applicants to the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream must establish a new business or purchase an existing business in New Brunswick. In either case, the candidate must own at least one third (33.3%) of the business and be actively involved in the management of the business. The business must be of economic benefit to the province of New Brunswick. It must be a private-sector, for-profit business. The business must also create at least two full-time jobs for Canadian permanent residents or citizens.

Application Procedure

The New Brunswick Entrepreneurial stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Eligible candidates must submit an EOI and a business concept to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). The NBPNP also sometimes pauses intake of new EOIs. Unlike most other provinces, New Brunswick does not publish when they will open to accept new EOIs. While each candidate must score at least 65 points on the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid to be eligible for the stream, only the highest ranking candidates whose business concepts will have an economic benefit for the province are issued an invitation to apply.

Applicants who receive an invitation to apply from the NBPNP must submit a complete application for provincial nomination. The stream charges a $2,000 CAD processing fee. If the application is successful, the applicant must submit a $100,000 CAD deposit and sign a business performance agreement with the NBPNP. If the applicant meets all of the conditions of the business performance agreement, they will be eligible to apply for a refund of the deposit after one year. Once the NBPNP receives the deposit and signed business performance agreement, it will issue the applicant a provincial nomination.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid

Candidates must score at least 65 points on the assessment grid to be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial stream. The stream also uses the assessment grid to rank candidates. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Overview of Factors

FactorPoints
Age10
Language25
Education25
Business Ownership / Management20
Business Concept15
Adaptability5
Maximum100

Age

 
AgePoints
21 or younger0
22-345
35-5010
51-555
Maximum10

Language

 
LevelPoints
First LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
CLB 7 or higher5555
CLB 64444
CLB 53333
Maximum20
Second Language
CLB 5 or higher5
Maximum5

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints
Post-graduate Master’s degree or PhD25
Post-secondary academic degree20
Post-secondary diploma in a specific trade15
Maximum25

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceYears of ExperiencePoints
Business Ownership
Business owner or at least one third of a business, actively managed operations, responsible for supervising at least three people10 in the last 10 years20
6-9 in the last 10 years18
3 in the last 5 years15
Senior Management
Senior manager involved in daily operations as primary decision maker responsible for supervising at least two people10 in the last 10 years12
6-9 in the last 10 years10
5 in the last 5 years5
Maximum20

Business Plan

 
Business plan elementsPoints
Candidate will transfer 10 years of business ownership or senior management experience to the same industry and sector in New Brunswick3
Candidate will establish or purchase a business in a key industry sector3
Business is located outside of Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton.3
Eligible expenses are greater than $500,000 CAD, or4
Eligible expenses are between $351,000 CAD and $499,000 CAD, or3
Eligible expenses are between $250,000 CAD and $350,000 CAD2
Candidate has:
1) Identified target market(s) for the New Brunswick based business
2) Knowledge of statutes, regulations and bylaws
3) Identified relevant business resources. *		2
Business will:
1) Increase research, development and technological commercialization
2) Transfer specialized knowledge and expertise to New Brunswick.
3) Attract new business activities to New Brunswick.
4) Link New Brunswick to global markets and value-chains. *		2
Maximum15
*Applicants must meet at least two conditions to claim total points

Adaptability

 
Adaptability for your spouse or common-law partnerPoints
Completed a program of full-time study of at least one year at a recognized post-secondary institution in New Brunswick after the age of 17 years and with a valid study permit5
Completed at least six months of continuous full-time employment in New Brunswick5
Meets the minimum level CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four language abilities (i.e., reading, writing, listening, speaking).5
Maximum5

 

The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream is one of the streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of New Brunswick. This stream is designed to target foreign nationals who have graduated from a post-secondary school in New Brunswick and established a successful business in the province.

Program Requirements

Requirements 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to New Brunswick

To be eligible for the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream, candidates must have completed a valid 2-year post-secondary degree in New Brunswick, and have operated a business that they own in New Brunswick for at least one year. The candidate must have studied full-time at a recognized university in New Brunswick, or the New Brunswick Community College, in a post-secondary program of at least two years. The candidate must also have lived in New Brunswick during the academic program.  

 

Language Proficiency

All candidates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.  

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed at least one two-year post-secondary program in New Brunswick to be eligible for this stream.  

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have owned and operated a business in New Brunswick for at least one year. Candidate must also have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit at the time they apply.  

 

Age

Candidates must be between 22 and 40 years old on the day their application is received.  

 

Assessment Grid

Candidates must score at least 65 points on the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid.  

 

Business Requirements

To be eligible for this stream, candidates must own and have operated a successful business in New Brunswick for at least one year. The New Brunswick business must also meet some additional criteria. The candidate must have full ownership (100%) of the business, and be actively involved in the daily management of it. The candidate must also receive a salary from the business which must meet at least the Low-Income Cut-Off plus ten percent (10%). The business must be a for-profit entity and employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident on a full-time basis.

Application Procedure

The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Eligible candidates must submit an EOI and a business concept to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). The NBPNP also sometimes pauses intake of new EOIs. Unlike most other provinces, New Brunswick does not publish when they will open to accept new EOIs. While each candidate must score at least 65 points on the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid to be eligible for the stream, only the highest ranking candidates whose businesses are determined to have a significant economic benefit for the province are issued an invitation to apply.

Applicants who receive an invitation to apply from the NBPNP must submit a complete application for provincial nomination within 90 days. The stream charges a $250 CAD processing fee. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and submit an application will be invited to participate in an interview with NBPNP immigration officers. The interview will include a site visit to the applicant’s business. If the application and interview are successful, the applicant will be issued a certificate of nomination from New Brunswick.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Assessment Grid

Candidates must score at least 65 points on the assessment grid to be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest the New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial stream. The stream also uses the assessment grid to rank candidates. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Overview of Factors

FactorPoints
Age10
Language35
Education25
Work Experience10
Economic Benefit of the Business10
Adaptability10
Maximum100

Age

 
AgePoints
21 or younger0
22-3410
35-405
41 or more0
Maximum10

Language

 
LevelPoints
First LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
CLB 9 or higher7777
CLB 86666
CLB 75555
Maximum28
Second Language
CLB 7 or higher7
Maximum7

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.)Awarded by a New Brunswick university, after completion of a Master’s degree25
Masters, or Professional Degree*Awarded by a New Brunswick graduate college or university, after completion of a Bachelor’s degree *(Applicant possesses a professional degree and is licensed by the NB regulatory body in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine or pharmacy)23
Two or more Canadian Degrees or DiplomasAt least one degree or diploma shall be awarded by a New Brunswick college or university that required at least (3) three years of full time study22
Post-Secondary Academic degreeAwarded by a New Brunswick college or university for completion of an undergraduate curriculum that required at least three (3) years of full time study21
Post-Secondary DiplomaAwarded by a new Brunswick college or university in a specific trade that required at least two (2) years full time study after high school19
Maximum25

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
6 or more years in the last 10 years in NOC O, A or B10
1 – 5 years in the last 10 years in NOC O, A or B5
Maximum10

Business Plan

 
Economic Benefit of the BusinessPoints
Business is located outside Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John5
Business is in the agricultural Sector5
Business is in a priority sector, as defined by the Department5
Maximum10

Adaptability

 
Adaptability for your spouse or common-law partnerPoints
Your spouse/common-law partner has at least one year of continuous full time employment in New Brunswick5
Your spouse/common-law partner has completed at least two years of full-time study, in a minimum two-year program at a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick, with a valid study permit(if applicable)5
Your Spouse/common-law partner meets the minimum level CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four language abilities (i.e. reading, writing, listening, speaking)5
You, or your spouse/common-law partner have a close family relative who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada (i.e. son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, 18 years or older) living in New Brunswick for at least one year at the time an EOI in submitted to the NBPNP10
You have additional job skills demonstrated through training or experience and supported by a post-secondary credential(i.e. certificate, diploma, degree) requiring at least one year of full time study after high school5
Maximum10

New Brunswick Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support is one of the streams of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of New Brunswick. This stream is designed to target high-skilled foreign workers with a valid job offer from a New Brunswick employer.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support stream will be automatically forwarded to IRCC to be evaluated for Canadian permanent residence. The province of New Brunswick regularly organizes events overseas for foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada. Please refer to our schedule of upcoming New Brunswick information sessions and job fairs. Those who are successful through these information sessions will be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the New Brunswick PNP or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

Program Requirements

Requirements 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceRelated to job offer
Investment RequirementNone

Job Offer

To be eligible for the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support stream, candidates must have a valid job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer. The offer of employment must be for work at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. If the offer of employment is at NOC Skill Level C or D, it must be classified as NOC Skill Type 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9 to be considered valid.

 

Language Proficiency

All candidates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma. They must also have any additional education, qualifications, or licenses required to perform the duties of the job they have been offered in New Brunswick.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have sufficient work experience to perform the duties of the job they have been offered in New Brunswick.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 19 and 55 years old on the day their application is received by NB PNP.

 

Points Assessment Grid

Candidates must score a least 60 points (out of 100) on the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Applicant Points Assessment Grid.

 

Employer Requirements

In order for an applicant to apply to the New Brunswick Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support stream, they must have a valid job offer from an eligible New Brunswick employer. Under this stream, the employer must meet certain general requirements in order for their job offers to be considered valid.

 

Job Offer Requirements

The employer must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards.

 

Business Requirements

The business must have been in operation for at least one year at the time the application is received.

 

Recruitment Requirements

Employers must demonstrate that they have been unable to find a Canadian permanent resident or citizen to fill the position.

Points-Assessment-Grid

Candidates must score a minimum of 60 of 100 points on the following selection factors to be eligible to apply to the stream.

Overview of Factors

FactorPoints
Age10
Language28
Education20
Adaptability12
Work Experience30
Minimum Pass Score60

Age

 
AgePoints
22-5510
19-218
Maximum10

Language

 
Canadian Language Benchmark LevelEnglishFrench
CLB 7+64
CLB 5-654
CLB 444
Maximum244

Education

 
Level CompletedPoints
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.), Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession.20
Bachelor’s degree, or Two or more certificates.19
Two-year degree, diploma or certificate18
One-year degree, diploma or certificate17
Secondary education15
Maximum20

Adaptability

 
AdaptabilityPoints
Family Living in New BrunswickYou or your spouse/common-law partner, has a son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, child, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew living in New Brunswick as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident5
Spouse or
Common-Law
Partner		Your spouse or common-law partner worked for at least one of
the last five years in New Brunswick, with a valid work permit or
authorization to work in Canada		5
Your spouse or common-law partner has a minimum language
level proficiency of CLB4 4 in English or Niveaux de
compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 4 in French in all
four language abilities		5
Education in New BrunswickYou have completed at least two years of post-secondary education in NB10
You have completed at least one year of post-secondary education in NB7
Employment in New BrunswickYou have worked for at least two of the last five years in NB10
Your employer has a positive LMIA on which your job offer is
based, or your occupation is exempt from needing an LMIA		8
Your employer has a positive LMIA through a national or
international recruitment mission organized by PETL in the 12
months prior to submitting an application		8
You have worked for at least one of the last five years in NB7
You are an international student graduate from a post-secondary
institution in New Brunswick with at least six months work
experience		7
Maximum12

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
5 years20
4 years16
3 years12
2 years8
1 year5
Maximum20

You may be awarded an additional 10 points if your intended occupation is in one of the priority sectors.

Application Procedure

The New Brunswick Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support stream is open to new applications at any time. This stream charges a $250 CAD application fee per applicant. Applicants must submit a complete application for provincial nomination from the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program. If the application is successful, the applicant will be notified. The NBPNP will forward the application directly to IRCC to be evaluated for Canadian permanent residence. Paper-based applications for permanent residence as a provincial nominee are generally processed within 18 months.

The province of New Brunswick regularly hosts information sessions and job fairs to find new immigrants willing to start a new life in the east coast province of Canada.

Those who are eligible for a New Brunswick information session or job fair should register in advance as spaces are limited. Those who are successful at an information session may become eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence through one of the pathways of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) or through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). Below is a complete listing of upcoming sessions. Please note that only those who meet the eligibility criteria will be welcome to attend the information sessions and job fairs.

Upcoming Information Session and Job Fairs
DateLocationType of Session
2023NB Virtual Recruitment Various SectorsOnline
August 19-20-21, 2023Sao-Paulo, BrazilInternational Recruitment Mission Sao Paulo
September 12-14Casablanca, Morocco 
International Recruitment Mission in the Healthcare Sector  
September 16-17Brussels, BelgiumInternational Recruitment Mission in the Healthcare Sector

 

Past Information Sessions and Job Fairs

Below is a listing of past information sessions and job fairs organized by the province of New Brunswick. This information has been collected since July 2018.

Riding a wave of growth thanks to its energy and natural resources, Newfoundland is seeking the talents of skilled workers and post-graduates to continue the upward trend of this Atlantic province’s economy.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) provides prospective immigrants with in-demand skills and experience the opportunity to become a part of this eastern province’s growing workforce through its Express Entry Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker, and International Graduate streams of immigration.

Express Entry Skilled Worker

Skilled workers of NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B occupations with a guaranteed employment offer who are in the federal Express Entry pool may be eligible to apply for the Express Entry Skilled Worker stream of NLPNP.

  • Express Entry Skilled Worker

Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker stream of NLNP welcomes experienced workers of all NOC Skill Levels with a guaranteed job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer to apply for provincial nomination. The applicant must have a specialized skill set that meets the needs of the employer from which they receive a full-time job offer.

  • Skilled Worker

International Graduate

Graduates from eligible post-secondary institutions who choose to remain in Canada on a Post-Graduate Work Permit may be eligible to apply for the NLNP International Graduate program. Graduates must either be currently employed or have received a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer that relates to their field of study.

  • International Graduate

International Entrepreneur Category

This category is designed for foreign nationals with experience owning and managing businesses who wish to invest in purchasing and managing a business in Newfoundland & Labrador. Applicants must have business management experience and a significant personal net worth.

  • International Entrepreneur Category

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

This category is designed for foreign nationals who have graduated from a post-secondary program of at least two years in Newfoundland & Labrador and who have at least one year of experience owning and managing a business in the province.

  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

Newfoundland and Labrador Points Assessment Grid

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements set forth by the NLNP Express Entry Skilled Worker Program, applicants will need to achieve a minimum pass score of 67 points on the Point Assessment Grid:

FactorMaximum Points
Education28
Language Proficiency27
Age12
Work Experience20
Connection to Labour Market and Adaptability13
Minimum Pass Score67

 

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Newfoundland and Labrador participates in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). The AIPP is a economic growth initiative developed in partnership between the federal government and Canada’s Atlantic provinces. AIPP facilitates the immigration process for newcomers who have obtained a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region.

A potentially accelerated path to Canadian permanent residence for provincially nominated candidates, the Express Entry Skilled Worker stream of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP) is open to skilled workers who wish to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements, and hold a guaranteed, full-time job offer.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencySee Express Entry requirements
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceNOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Applicant Requirements

Express Entry Requirement

Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. In order to be considered, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must have a full-time job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer that meets industry standards. If the job offer is in an occupation that is regulated, the candidate must show proof that they are able to work in that profession. The job offer must be in a position classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. If the foreign worker is currently working in Canada, they must show proof of a valid work permit.

 

Language Proficiency

All candidates must provide official language test results demonstrating that they meet the language proficiency claimed on their Express Entry profile.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma, or a foreign credential that has been assessed as equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 profession.

 

Points Assessment Grid

Candidates must score at least 67 points on the Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

 

Intention to Reside

Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Employer Requirements

Job Offer Requirements

Employers must offer the foreign national a full-time, permanent position with a salary and benefits package that is on par with provincial norms for the occupation in question.

 

Business Requirements

The business must be established in Newfoundland and Labrador, and have been in operation for at least two (2) years. If the business is located in the St. John’s metropolitan area, the employer must have at least two permanent, full-time local employees. If the business if outside St. John’s, the employer must have at least one permanent, full-time local employee.

 

Recruitment Requirements

The employer will be required to provide proof that they have made a significant effort to employ a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position before an offer was extended to the foreign national.

Did you know?

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): Unless the job offer is LMIA-exempt, the employer must provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA proves that the employer tried, and failed, to find a Canadian to fill the position being offered to the foreign worker.

Points Assessment Grid

In addition to meeting the above requirements, applicants must also score at least 67 out of a possible 100 on the Points Assessment Grid for the NLNP Express Entry Skilled Worker stream. Applicants will be graded on their connection to the labour market, adaptability, education, work experience, age, and language abilities.

Overview of Factors

FactorMaximum Points
Education28
Language Proficiency27
Age12
Work Experience20
Connection to Labour Market and Adaptability13
Minimum Pass Score67

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level28
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years23
Trade certification approved by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills23
Post-secondary degree – 2 years18
Post-secondary degree – 1 year15
Maximum25

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
Experience During the Five Years Preceding Application
5 years15
4 years12
3 years9
2 years6
1 year3
Experience During 6-10 Years Preceding Application
5 years7
4 years6
3 years5
2 years4
1 year2
Maximum15

Language

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchPoints
CLB 8 or higher27
CLB 723
CLB 621
CLB 519
Maximum27

Age

 
AgePoints
Under 180
18-218
22-3312
34-4510
46-508
50 and older0
Maximum12

Connection

 
Connection to Labour Market and AdaptabilityPoints
The applicant or their accompanying spouse has a close relative (parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, step-family member, or in-laws) that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Newfoundland and Labrador7
The applicant has worked in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 12 months within the last five years on a valid work permit3
The applicant studied at an approved Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary institution for at least one full academic year on a valid study permit3
Maximum13

Application Procedure

The Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker stream accepts applications at any time. Skilled workers hoping to immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador must first submit a profile to the federal Express Entry pool. Once a candidate has been accepted into the Federal Express Entry pool and has a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer, they may submit their application. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from Newfoundland and Labrador.

After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

The Skilled Worker stream of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP) welcomes foreign workers of all NOC Skill Levels to apply for provincial nomination.

Foreign nationals with NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B experience may also be eligible to apply under the Express Entry Skilled Worker stream of NLNP if they have been accepted into the federal Express Entry pool.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyNone for NOC 0, A or B
CLB 4 for NOC C or D
Level of EducationNo minimum
Work ExperienceNo minimum
Investment RequirementNone

Job Offer

To be eligible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Skilled Worker stream, candidates must have a valid, full-time job offer from an eligible employer. The job offer must meet industry standards. The candidate must have sufficient language proficiency, education, and work experience to perform the occupation being offered to them. If the applicant is currently employed in Canada, they must have a valid work permit, or be eligible to apply for one if they are currently residing abroad.  

 

Language Proficiency

Applicants will be required to provide proof of language proficiency in English or French, and applicants in NOC Skill Level C or D occupations must achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4, in order to be eligible to apply.

Application Procedure

The Newfoundland and Labrador Skilled Worker stream accepts applications at any time. Eligible candidates must submit a complete application to the stream. The application fee is $250 CAD. Successful applicants will receive a provincial nomination from Newfoundland and Labrador. After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Graduates who have completed at least half of their post-secondary studies from an approved Canadian educational institution and have received a job offer or are currently employed by a Newfoundland and Labrador employer may be eligible to receive provincial nomination as an International Graduate.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceEmployed in Canada, related to job offer
Investment RequirementNone

Job Offer

To be eligible for the International Graduate stream, candidates must have a full-time job offer from an eligible employer in Newfoundland and Labrador. The employment must be considered a full-time position related to their field of study in order to be eligible for NLNP. The applicant must also meet the experience and education requirements outlined in the job description.  

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates must have sufficiency language proficiency to perform the job they have been offered. If the position is at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level C or D, the candidate will need to demonstrate official language test results equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.  

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have graduated from a an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution. The program of study must have been at least a two-year diploma or degree, or a one-year post-graduate degree. The school does not need to have been in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The candidate must have any additional educational credentials required to perform the job they have been offered.  

 

Work Experience

Candidates must be working in Canada on a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) when they apply. They must have at least six months of validity remaining on their PGWP at the time of applying for provincial nomination. Those who have obtained their degree or diploma outside of Newfoundland and Labrador may be required to be employed for a minimum of one year in their field of study prior to being able to submit an application. The candidate must have any additional work experience required to perform the job they have been offered.

Application Procedure

The Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate stream is open to new applications at all times. Eligible candidates must submit a complete application to the stream. The application fee is $250 CAD. Successful applicants will receive a provincial nomination from Newfoundland and Labrador. After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

The International Entrepreneur stream of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP) welcomes foreign business people with the finances and management experience to own and operate a business in Newfoundland.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 5
Level of EducationHigh School
Work Experience2 years managing/owning a business OR 5 years as senior business manager
Investment RequirementNet Worth: $600,000 CAD
Investment: $200,000 CAD

Language Proficiency

Applicants will be required to provide proof of language proficiency in English or French. At least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 is required.

 

Education

Applicants must show that they have completed a minimum level of education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. If completed outside of Canada this must be supported by an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA).

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have sufficient work experience to successfully establish and run a business in Newfoundland & Labrador. This can be demonstrated through at least two (2) years of experience as an active business owner-manager, or more than five (5) years experience as a senior business manager.

 

Investment Requirement

Candidates need to demonstrate that they are able to invest in and establish a business in Newfoundland & Labrador. Candidates must therefore demonstrate a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD, and make a minimum investment of $200,000 CAD in a new or existing business that they purchase.

Application Procedure

This program uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to select applicants. In order to be considered for the program, first a candidate must submit an EOI using the PNP’s online service. Please note that the EOI service only opens for short periods throughout the year. Candidates will be ranked against one another based on their EOIs and the most competitive candidates will be invited to apply to the program.

After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) candidates must submit an official application for nomination to the province. This application includes documentation supporting the information included in the original EOI. As well, all applicants must pay an application fee of CAD $1,000 and must provide an Audit Report and a Business Establishment Plan, outlining their entrepreneurial intentions. If an application is deemed to be complete, the applicant will have to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in an in-person interview. If the interview is successful, the applicant must sign a Business Performance Agreement, detailing their commitments to establish or purchase a business in the province.

If an application is approved, the applicant will receive a work permit authorization letter allowing them to apply for a Canadian work permit. With work permit in hand, the applicant must relocate to Newfoundland and Labrador to launch their business. After operating the business in accordance with their Business Performance Agreement the applicant may apply to the province for an official Provincial Nomination.

Once an applicant has received an official nomination, they can apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent resident status.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur category of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP) allows graduates of Newfoundland post-secondary institutions to apply for permanent residency if they have at least one-year of experience owning and managing a business in the province.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceEducation AND
Work Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of Education2 year post-secondary program
Work Experience1 year as business owner and manager
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to Province

Applicants must have completed a post-secondary program of at least two years in Newfoundland & Labrador. As well, the applicant must have at least one year of experience owning and managing a business in the province.

 

Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French at a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.

 

Level of Education

Applicants must have a minimum of a post-secondary educational credential of at least two-years. This credential must have been completed in-person at either Memorial University or the College of the North Atlantic. The credential must have been completed within 2 years of submission of the Expression of Interest.

 

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one year of experience in actively managing and owning a business in which they hold a minimum one-third ownership in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Application Procedure

This program uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to select applicants. In order to be considered for the program, first a candidate must submit an EOI using the PNP’s online service. The most competitive, qualified candidates will be invited to apply to the program.

After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) candidates must submit an official application for nomination to the province. This application includes documentation supporting the information included in the original EOI. As well, all applicants must pay an application fee of CAD $250 and must provide an Audit Report and a Business Continuity Plan, outlining their entrepreneurial intentions. If an application is deemed to be complete, the applicant will have to participate in an in-person interview.

If an application is approved, the applicant will receive an official provincial nomination from Newfoundland and Labrador. Once an applicant has received an official nomination, they can apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent resident status.

The In-demand Academic Path is a pathway contained within the Priority Skills NL stream, a Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP). The In-demand Academic path is offered for candidates who have completed a Master’s degree of PhD in an in-demand field at Newfoundland and Labrador’s Memorial University.

NOTE: This stream is not currently accepting Expressions of Interest

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement
Express Entry ProfileNot required
Connection to ProvinceMaster’s or PhD
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyEnglish CLB 5
Level of EducationMaster’s
Work ExperienceNo minimum requirement
AgeMinimum 21 years old

Language Proficiency

Candidates must provide language test results proving English language proficiency at CLB 5 or higher.

Education Requirements

To qualify, individuals must have completed a Master’s degree of PhD in an in-demand field at Newfoundland and Labrador’s Memorial University. The program must have been completed in the area of Technology, Health Care, Aquaculture, or Agriculture within the past three years.

Work Experience

There are no minimum work experience requirements for this path. However, work experience in Canada will increase a candidates’ score on the In-demand Academic questionnaire scoring grid.

Settlement Funds

All candidates for this stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Application Procedure

The Priority Skills NL stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can submit a profile using Newfoundland and Labrador’s online immigration portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be assigned a score and ranked against one another using Newfoundland and Labrador’s Questionnaire Scoring Grid. Candidates must meet a minimum of 60 points for their profile to be viewed and considered by the province. Candidates eligible to submit an EOI will be asked to submit three supporting documents relating to their work experience and education. These documents will be viewable by both the province and Newfoundland and Labrador employers. The highest-ranking candidates with the most interest from Newfoundland and Labrador employers be invited to apply for nomination.

If invited, candidates must submit a complete application to the province. If the application is approved, the candidate will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence from Newfoundland and Labrador.

If the applicant meets the criteria for Express Entry Skilled Worker category, their provincial nomination certificate may be issued to their Express Entry profile. This would allow for a faster processing time of six months. If the applicant meets the criteria for the Skilled Worker program, the processing of a subsequent non-Express Entry permanent residence application may take closer to 18 months.

In-Demand Academic Questionnaire Scoring Grid

FactorMaximum points
English Language Proficiency24
French Language Proficiency20
Age16
PhD or Master’s degree from Memorial University30
PhD, Master’s, or Bachelor’s completed outside of Newfoundland and Labrador25
Canadian work experience25
Relatives in Newfoundland and Labrador10

The In-demand Work Path is a pathway contained within the Priority Skills NL stream, a Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLNP). The In-demand Academic path is offered for candidates with at least one year of work experience in the past ten years in one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s priority occupations.

NOTE: This stream is not currently accepting Expressions of Interest

Eligibility requirements

Requirement
Express Entry ProfileNot required
Connection to ProvinceNone
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyEnglish CLB 5
Level of EducationNo minimum requirement
Work ExperienceOne year in a priority occupation
AgeMinimum 21 years old

Language Proficiency

Candidates must provide language test results proving English language proficiency at CLB 5 or higher.

Work Experience

Candidates must have completed at least one full year of work experience in a priority occupation in the past ten years.

Settlement Funds

All candidates for this stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Application Procedure

The Priority Skills NL stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can submit a profile using Newfoundland and Labrador’s online immigration portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be assigned a score and ranked against one another using Newfoundland and Labrador’s Questionnaire Scoring Grid. Candidates must meet a minimum of 60 points for their profile to be viewed and considered by the province. Candidates eligible to submit an EOI will be asked to submit three supporting documents relating to their work experience and education. These documents will be viewable by both the province and Newfoundland and Labrador employers. The highest-ranking candidates with the most interest from Newfoundland and Labrador employers are invited to apply for nomination.

If invited, candidates must submit a complete application to the province. If the application is approved, the candidate will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence from Newfoundland and Labrador.

If the applicant meets the criteria for Express Entry Skilled Worker category, their provincial nomination certificate may be issued to their Express Entry profile. This would allow for a faster processing time of six months. If the applicant meets the criteria for the Skilled Worker program, the processing of a subsequent non-Express Entry permanent residence application may take closer to 18 months.

In-demand work questionnaire scoring grid

FactorMaximum points
English Language Proficiency24
French Language Proficiency20
Age16
Education24
Work experience40
In-demand work experience in Canada5
In-demand work experience in Newfoundland and Labrador7
In-demand work experience in Newfoundland and Labrador (outside St. John’s CMA)7

Newfoundland and Labrador In-Demand Occupations

Newfoundland and Labrador’s in-demand occupations may be updated and revised as needed in response to the province’s changing labour market needs. The current list includes the following occupations:

In-demand aquaculture sector occupations:

 

With more than one million square kilometers of land and a population of just over 40,000 people, making it the most populous northern territory in Canada, the Northwest Territories boast a wealth of immigration opportunities for foreign workers and entrepreneurs.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways that provide an opportunity for foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents.

The NTNP targets workers in skilled, semi-skilled, and low-skilled occupations through employer-driven immigration streams. Its business-driven counterpart, on the other hand, seeks entrepreneurs and business owners from all sectors to create and establish new businesses in this remote northern region.

The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:

  • Northwest Territories Express Entry
  • Northwest Territories Employer Driven
  • Northwest Territories Business Driven

Northwest Territories Express Entry

This stream gives skilled workers in the federal Express Entry pool the opportunity to partake in an accelerated permanent residence application. Candidates must have a job offer from an eligible Northwest Territories employer.

  • Northwest Territories Express Entry

Northwest Territories Employer Driven

The Northwest Territories Employer Driven streams provide opportunities for foreign nationals with experience in occupations classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, B, C, or D and a full-time, permanent job offer from a qualified employer.

  • Critical Impact Worker
  • Skilled Worker

Northwest Territories Business Driven

The Northwest Territories Business Driven streams provide opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs wishing to create a new business in the Northwest Territories. While the program accepts applications from all economic sectors, businesses that offer a significant benefit to the Northwest Territories economy, or who introduce a new product altogether, will be given priority when applying for provincial nomination.

  • Entrepreneur
  • Self-Employed (Terminated)

The Northwest Territories Express Entry stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for candidates in the Express Entry pool with a job offer from a Northwest Territories employer. It is a stream of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP).

With provincial nomination applications processed within 10 weeks and Express Entry applications processed within six months, NTNP Express Entry provides applicants with an accelerated path to Canadian permanent residence, provided they meet all requirements of the NTNP Skilled Worker stream, as well as those of one of three federal economic programs.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience (some exceptions)
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 6 for NOC 0 and A
CLB 5 for NOC B
Level of EducationEducation or specialization specific to the job offer
Work ExperienceSame occupation as job offer
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

  Both the skilled worker and the Northwest Territories employer must meet specific criteria in order to be eligible to apply to this stream.

Applicant Requirements

Express Entry Requirement

Northwest Territories Express Entry is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. To submit a profile to the Express Entry pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at National Occupation Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience in the last three years. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level 0 or A and CLB 5 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level B.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French at CLB Level 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

Connection to Northwest Territories

The majority of applications accepted to this stream are from temporary foreign workers in the Northwest Territories. Applicants working in the Northwest Territories must demonstrate that they have legal status to work in Canada. Under exceptional circumstances, the Northwest Territories might accept an application from a candidate living abroad.

Job Offer

Candidates must have a full-time job offer from an eligible Northwest Territories employer. The position must be at National Occupation Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.

Language Proficiency

Candidates must submit language test results demonstrating language proficiency sufficient for the skill level of their job offer in either English or French. For positions classified as Skill Level 0 and A, candidates must demonstrate proficiency at Canadian language Benchmark (CLB) level 6 in all four language abilities. For positions classified as Skill Level B, must demonstrate proficiency at CLB level 5 in all four language abilities

Level of Education

All candidates must have sufficient education or specialization to perform the job offer they have received.

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of full-time experience in the same occupation as the job offer they have received.

Employer Requirements

Job Offer Requirements

The employer must offer the foreign national a full-time, permanent job with a comparable industry and occupation salary that does not conflict with any collective bargaining agreements.

Business Requirements

Employers hoping to successfully nominate a skilled foreign worker must either be a registered and operational Northwest Territories business for at least one year, or a municipal, First Nations or territorial government of the Northwest Territories. Employers must have maintained good standing with the Northwest Territories’ Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commision as well as the territory’s Employment Standards office. These standings will be verified by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Recruitment Requirements

Employers will be required to submit a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or, if  nominating a candidate with an open work permit without submitting an LMIA, must prove they have advertised the open position both locally and nationally. They will also be required to provide a summary of all applicants and the reasons for refusing their application if an offer has been extended to the foreign national without an LMIA.

Application Procedure

The Northwest Territories Express Entry stream is open to new applications at any time. To apply to the stream, candidates who meet the minimum eligibility requirements must create an Express Entry profile. Once they have received a valid job offer from an employer, both the candidate and the employer must submit documentation to support their eligibility claims. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from the Northwest Territories.

After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

With a wealth of jobs and limited local talent to fill open positions, the Northwest Territories is an ideal territory for foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Canada.

Eligible foreign workers with a job offer from a Northwest Territories employer are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through one of the Employer Driven streams of the Northwest Territories Nomination Program (NTNP). Both the foreign national and their prospective employer must meet specific eligibility requirements and partake in the application process. Northwest Territories Employer Driven stream includes the following streams:

  • Northwest Territories Critical Impact Workers
  • Northwest Territories Skilled Workers
  • Northwest Territories Express Entry

Northwest Territories Critical Impact Workers

Foreign nationals with at least six months work experience in the same semi-skilled occupation may be eligible to receive a provincial nomination from the Northwest Territories through the NTNP Critical Impact Worker stream if they can successfully fill a full-time, permanent position in semi-skilled and low-skilled occupations.

Northwest Territories Skilled Workers

Applicants who possess the required experience and certification or accreditation for a high-skilled occupation may be eligible for the NTNP Skilled Worker stream, provided they have received a full-time, permanent job offer from a qualifying Northwest Territories employer.

Northwest Territories Express Entry

Candidates with a job offer from an eligible Northwest Territories employer who also meet the eligibility requirements for one of the Federal economic programs managed by Express Entry may take advantage of the accelerated Northwest Territories Express Entry stream.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) Critical Impact Worker stream targets foreign nationals with experience in semi-skilled and unskilled occupations in northern Canada.

Program Requirements

 

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationEducation or certification specific to job offer
Work ExperienceEmployed in Northwest Territories
NOC C or D
6 months
Investment RequirementNone

  Both the critical impact worker and the Northwest Territories employer must meet specific criteria in order to be eligible to apply to this stream.

 

Applicant Requirements

Connection to Northwest Territories

To be eligible for the Critical Impact Worker stream, candidates must be currently working in an occupation classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level C or D in the Northwest Territories. They must have been working in this occupation in the Northwest Territories for at least one year.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from their current Northwest Territories employer in their current position.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates have to demonstrate language proficiency in English or French corresponding to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4. Language proficiency must be supported by results from an official language test taken within the two years preceding the application.

 

Level of Education

While there is no minimum level of education, candidates must have all of the educational credentials required to perform the job they have been offered.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least six months of experience working in the Northwest Territories in the same NOC C or D position for the same employer that is making the job offer.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates for this stream must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds themself and their family. A minimum of $10,000 CAD for the principal applicant and an additional $2,000 for each accompanying dependent. They may do so by providing certified bank statements or official, notarized letters from their bank.

Employer Requirements

Job Offer Requirements

The employer must offer the foreign national a full-time, permanent job with a comparable industry and occupation salary that does not conflict with any collective bargaining agreements.

 

Business Requirements

Employers hoping to successfully nominate a skilled foreign worker must either be a registered and operational Northwest Territories business for at least one year, or a municipal, First Nations or territorial government of the Northwest Territories. Employers must have maintained good standing with the Northwest Territories’ Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commision as well as the territory’s Employment Standards office. These standings will be verified by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

 

Recruitment Requirements

Employers will be required to submit a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or, if  nominating a candidate with an open work permit without submitting an LMIA, must prove they have advertised the open position both locally and nationally. They will also be required to provide a summary of all applicants and the reasons for refusing their application if an offer has been extended to the foreign national without an LMIA.

Application Procedure

The Northwest Territories Critical Impact Worker stream is open to new applications at any time. The employer holds the responsibility of submitting the paper-based application for NTNP. The typical processing time for applications is 10 weeks once it has been received by the NTNP. If the application is approved, both the employer and the foreign national will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that details the terms and conditions of their nomination as well as the responsibilities of both parties.

After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

With a high demand for skilled workers to fill shortages in northern Canada’s vast labour market, the Northwest Territories Skilled Worker stream grants provincial nomination to eligible NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 workers who express an intention to permanently resettle in the Northwest Territories.

Candidates who meet the requirements for the NTNP Skilled Workers stream and who also qualify for one of the programs managed by Express Entry may be eligible for the NTNP Express Entry stream for accelerated processing.

Program Requirements

 

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience (some exceptions)
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB Level 6 for NOC TEER 0, 1 and 2
CLB Level 5 for NOC TEER 3
Level of EducationEducation or certification specific to job offer
Work ExperienceNOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

  Both the skilled worker and the Northwest Territories employer must meet specific criteria in order to be eligible to apply to this stream.

 

Applicant Requirements

Connection to Northwest Territories

The majority of applications accepted to this stream are from temporary foreign workers in the Northwest Territories. Applicants working in the Northwest Territories must demonstrate that they have legal status to work in Canada. Under exceptional circumstances, the Northwest Territories might accept an application from a candidate living abroad.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Northwest Territories employer. The job offer must be at National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates must submit language test results demonstrating language proficiency sufficient for the skill level of their job offer in either English or French. For positions classified as Skill Level 0 and A, candidates must demonstrate proficiency at Canadian language Benchmark (CLB) level 6 in all four language abilities. For positions classified as Skill Level B, must demonstrate proficiency at CLB level 5 in all four language abilities

 

Level of Education

All candidates must have sufficient education or specialization to perform the job offer they have received.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of full-time experience in the same occupation as the job offer they have received.

 

Employer Requirements

Job Offer Requirements

The employer must offer the foreign national a full-time, permanent job with a comparable industry and occupation salary that does not conflict with any collective bargaining agreements.

 

Business Requirements

Employers hoping to successfully nominate a skilled foreign worker must either be a registered and operational Northwest Territories business for at least one year, or a municipal, First Nations or territorial government of the Northwest Territories. Employers must have maintained good standing with the Northwest Territories’ Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commision as well as the territory’s Employment Standards office. These standings will be verified by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

 

Recruitment Requirements

Employers will be required to submit a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or, if  nominating a candidate with an open work permit without submitting an LMIA, must prove they have advertised the open position both locally and nationally. They will also be required to provide a summary of all applicants and the reasons for refusing their application if an offer has been extended to the foreign national without an LMIA.

Application Procedure

The Northwest Territories Critical Impact Worker stream is open to new applications at any time. The employer holds the responsibility of submitting the paper-based application for NTNP. The typical processing time for applications is 10 weeks once it has been received by the NTNP. If the application is approved, both the employer and the foreign national will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that details the terms and conditions of their nomination as well as the responsibilities of both parties.

After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Business-savvy individuals with significant investment capital who are willing to permanently settle and establish a business in the Northwest Territories may apply under the business driven streams of the Northwest Territories Nomination Program (NTNP).

Applicants will be required to present a viable business plan with the potential to create lucrative employment opportunities for other Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Top priority will be given to entrepreneurs who can establish a business that will provide significant benefits to this northern territory’s economy. The Northwest Territories Business Driven stream includes the following streams:

  • Northwest Territories Entrepreneur
  • Northwest Territories Self-Employed

Northwest Territories Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs who wish to establish, purchase, or invest in a Northwest Territories business in any economic sector may be eligible for provincial nomination through the NTNP Entrepreneur stream. Applicants will be required to submit a business plan for the proposed business, and priority will be given to businesses that introduce a new product or those that provide significant benefits to the Northwest Territories.

Northwest Territories Self Employed (Terminated)

Self-employed professionals with the ability to provide services that are in high demand in the Northwest Territories may apply through the NTNP Self-Employed stream. Applicants who will be employed by a business or organization are not eligible to apply through this stream of provincial nomination. NOTE: This program has been terminated. There are currently no plans to resume this program.

Entrepreneurs and individuals with business experience who wish to settle and establish, purchase, or invest in a Northwest Territories business may be eligible for this business driven stream of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), provided they can present a business plan for a viable business with the potential to create job opportunities for Canadians in this northern region.

Approved entrepreneurs must complete a series of tasks regarding their proposed business before they can receive a provincial nomination through this stream.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationLevel of education and/or certification needed to fulfill the business plan
Work ExperienceLevel of experience needed to fulfill the business plan
Investment RequirementInvestment: $150,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $250,000 CAD

Language Proficiency

To be eligible for the Northwest Territories Entrepreneur stream, candidates have to demonstrate language proficiency in English or French corresponding to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4. Language proficiency must be supported by results from an official language test taken within the six months preceding the application.  

 

Level of Education

While there is no minimum level of education for this stream, candidates do need to have the necessary education to successfully implement their proposed business plan.  

 

Work Experience

While there is no minimum work experience for this stream, candidates do need to have the necessary work experience to successfully implement their proposed business plan.  

 

Investment Requirement

As with most Canadian business immigration streams, applicants to the Entrepreneur stream must demonstrate a significant net worth, as well as the funds needed to invest in their business of choice. Foreign entrepreneurs must prove that they own or will own at least one third (33.3%) of the Northwest Territories business they are starting or buying. Candidates may own less than one-third of the business and still be eligible if their personal net worth exceeds $1,000,000 CAD.

The minimum personal net worth and investment requirement for this stream depend on where the proposed business will be established. Those wishing to establish or purchase a business in the capital city of Yellowknife must have a minimum personal net worth of $500,000 CAD and are required invest at least $300,000 CAD in their business. The capital requirements for those whose business operates outside of Yellowknife, however, are only a personal net worth of at least $250,000 with a minimum investment of $150,000 into their business.

Candidates must also sign a business performance agreement and make a good faith deposit of $75,000 CAD. This deposit will be fully refunded if the candidate meets the conditions of the performance agreement. The conditions of the business performance agreement include:

  • The candidate resides within 100 kilometers of the business they operate, and;
  • The candidate has resided in the Northwest Territories for at least 75% of the time while on a temporary work permit.

Application Procedure

The Northwest Territories Entrepreneur stream accepts applications from eligible candidates at any time. Prospective applicants must develop a working business plan and make at least one business trip to the Northwest Territories to gain knowledge of the business environment. Following the business trip, applicants must participate in an interview with Northwest Territories Business Stream staff. After the interview, if the applicant demonstrated acceptable knowledge of the Northwest Territories business environment and a compelling business plan, the applicant will be invited to submit documents supporting their business concept. These supporting documents must be submitted within 60 business days.

If the Business Stream staff are satisfied with these documents, the applicant will be invited to formally apply to the program. Once they receive this invitation, the applicant has six (6) months to submit a complete application to the stream. If the application is accepted, Business Stream staff will begin developing a business performance agreement with the applicant. Once this agreement is is signed and the applicant submits the $75,000 CAD good faith deposit, the Northwest Territories will issue the applicant a letter of support for a two (2) year temporary work permit. Select business categories of immigration allow foreign nationals to apply for temporary work permits allowing them to work in Canada while establishing their business practice. These work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), meaning they are LMIA-exempt. To apply for such a work permit, the applicant must include a work permit support letter issued by the province and submit their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If IRCC issues the work permit, the applicant has 60 days from the date that appears as the “date signed” on the work permit to submit a Business Stream arrival report form and accompanying documents. The applicant then has six (6) months from the date they submit the arrival report form to develop the business and invest the required investment, as described in the business performance agreement they signed. They will need to submit an interim report every six months until they meet the conditions outlined in the performance agreement to receive a provincial nomination.

If the candidate meets all of the conditions of the business performance agreement, the candidate may be eligible to receive a nomination for permanent residence from the Northwest Territories. Note that except under exceptional circumstances, a nomination can only be issued 19 months after the applicant has begun developing the business, and 12 months after the business has been in operation. After receiving a nomination the applicant has one year to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence.

Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

The province of Nova Scotia is located on Canada’s east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The province plays host to a number of unique Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) designed to attract and retain newcomers who will be able to fill gaps in the workforce and contribute meaningfully to local economies and communities.

The province operates several immigration streams:

  • Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
  • Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
  • Nova Scotia Skilled Worker
  • Nova Scotia Physicians
  • Nova Scotia Entrepreneur
  • Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur
  • Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
  • Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream targets highly skilled individuals who will be able to join and contribute to Nova Scotia’s economy. In order to qualify, candidates must either have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, or have work experience in one of Nova Scotia’s in-demand occupations. This program is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system, enabling successful applicants to receive expedited processing on their immigration applications.

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream targets highly skilled individuals who intend to live and work in Nova Scotia permanently. In order to qualify, candidates must have at least one year of experience working in Nova Scotia in a high skilled occupation. This program is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system, enabling successful applicants to receive expedited processing on their immigration applications.

Nova Scotia Skilled Worker

The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker stream enables Nova Scotia employers to recruit foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills are needed in Nova Scotia. If a skilled worker receives a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, they may be able to submit an application through this stream in order to facilitate their immigration process.

Nova Scotia Physicians

The Nova Scotia Physicians stream enables Nova Scotia to nominate individuals with a valid job offer from a Nova Scotia health organization. The stream is designed to help public health organizations in the province address critical labour needs.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream targets experienced business owners or senior business managers who are willing to invest in a Nova Scotia business which they will manage. In order to qualify, applicants must have a significant net worth and be willing to use their business management experience to start a new business or purchase an existing business in Nova Scotia. After operating their Nova Scotia business for one year, applicants may be nominated for permanent resident status.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream targets recent graduates of Nova Scotia universities and colleges who have started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least one year. If an applicant meets these requirements and intends to settle in Nova Scotia permanently, they may qualify for a provincial nomination through this stream.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream targets Express Entry candidates with work experience in extremely high-demand positions in the province. As of August 2018, this stream is only accepting applications from those with experience as Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 4214).

Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand

The Occupations In Demand stream targets workers holding a job offer from a Nova Scotian employer in an in demand field. Currently, the only occupations eligible for this program are NOC 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates), NOC 7511 (transport truck drivers), NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)), or NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers).

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Nova Scotia participates in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). The AIPP is a economic growth initiative developed in partnership between the federal government and Canada’s Atlantic provinces. AIPP facilitates the immigration process for newcomers who have obtained a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region.

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream is designed to target newcomers who will be able to fill shortages in Nova Scotia’s labour forces by quickly and easily integrating into the workforce.

Aligned with the federal Express Entry system, successful applicants to the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream receive a 600 point boost to their Express Entry profiles, virtually guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. This stream is divided into two separate categories with unique program requirements and application procedures. Please read below to learn more about the various requirements for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry categories:

  • Category A
  • Category B

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry – Category A

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Category A has one central requirement which distinguishes it from Category B. Category A requires all applicants to have a full-time, skilled job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. In addition, applicants also must meet the general program requirements which are largely aligned with requirements for Express Entry candidates.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceNOC A, B, or 0
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for Category A of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.

 

Job Offer

In order for a job offer to qualify under this program, the offer must be for a position which is full-time, permanent, and at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level A, B, or 0. The job offer also must be supported by a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or be exempt from needing one.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates for this stream must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher.

 

Points Assessment Grid

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, candidates must score at least 67 points on the province’s points assessment grid.

 

Application Procedure

Category A accepts applications at all times, there is no specific intake period. If an applicant is qualified, they can submit their application using the Nova Scotia online immigration portal. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from Nova Scotia. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant has 90 days to prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry – Category B

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Category B has one central requirement which distinguishes it from Category A. Category B requires all applicants to have a minimum of 12-months of full-time, skilled work experience in one of Nova Scotia’s in-demand occupations. In addition, applicants must meet the general program requirements which are largely aligned with requirements for Express Entry candidates.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceIn-Demand Occupation List
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for Category B of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates for this stream must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher.

 

Work Experience

Candidates applying through this stream must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in one of Nova Scotia’s In-Demand Occupations.

 

Points Assessment Grid

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, candidates must score at least 67 points on the province’s points assessment grid.

 

Settlement Funds

All candidates for this stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

 

Nova Scotia Target Occupations List

In order to qualify for Category B of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, a candidate must have at least 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience in one of the occupations listed below. Work experience must have been obtained within the last 5 years.

 

Application Procedure

Category B of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream only accepts applications during periodic intakes. Eligible applicants must wait for the program to open before they can submit an application. Submitted applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. When the category opens, qualified applicants can complete applications online via the Nova Scotia online immigration portal. As soon as the program reaches its predetermined quota for the intake round, the online portal will stop accepting new applications.

In the history of the program, intake periods result in incredibly high web-traffic to the Nova Scotia online immigration portal. This can cause technical problems for those seeking to submit applications and makes it difficult to guarantee a successful submission in advance. Those interested in submitting to this category should be aware of the risks related to applying to this program. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from Nova Scotia.

After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Category B – Recent Draws

Below is the information regarding recent Nova Scotia Entrepreneur draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream requires that all candidates score at least 67 out of 100 points on the Nova Scotia Points Assessment Grid.

Overview of Factors

Selection factorPoints
Education25
Ability in English and/or French28
Work experience15
Age12
Arranged employment in Nova Scotia10
Adaptability10
Minimum Pass Mark67

Education

 
EducationPoints
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level25
University degree at the Master’s level
OR
University level entry-to-practice professional degree or equal
For entry-to-practice professional degrees, the degree program must have been in:
medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, law, chiropractic
medicine, or pharmacy
AND
The related occupation must be:
• NOC 2016 Skill Level A, and
• licensed by a provincial regulatory body		23
Two or more post-secondary degrees or diplomas (at least one must be for a program of at least three years)22
Post-secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer21
Post-secondary degree or diploma for a two-year program19
Post-secondary degree or diploma for a one-year program15
Secondary school diploma (high school graduation)5
Less than secondary school (high school)Ineligible
Maximum25

Language

 
Language AbilityPoints
First Official LanguageSpeakingListeningReadingWriting
CLB level 9 or higher6666
CLB level 85555
CLB level 74444
Below CLB 7Not eligible to apply
Second Official Language
At least CLB 5 in each of the four abilities4
CLB 4 or less in any of the four abilities0
Maximum28

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
Less than 1 yearIneligible
1 year9
2-3 years11
4-5 years13
6 or more15
Maximum15

Age

 
AgePoints
Under 18 years of ageIneligible
18-35 years of age12
36 years of age11
37 years of age10
38 years of age9
39 years of age8
40 years of age7
41 years of age6
42 years of age5
43 years of age4
44 years of age3
45 years of age2
46 years of age1
47 years of age or older0
Maximum12

Arranged Employment

 
Arranged EmploymentPoints
Valid job offer10
Maximum10

Adaptability

 
AdaptabilityPoints
A. Arranged employment (principal applicant only)
You earned points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment		5
B. Your previous study in Nova Scotia
You completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia in the past five years. Full-timestudy means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and you must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.		5
C. Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s previous study in Nova Scotia
Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner completed at least two academicyears of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary orpost- secondary school in Nova Scotia in the past five years. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner must have remained ingood academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study inNova Scotia.		5
D. Your previous work in Nova Scotia
You completed a minimum of one year of authorized, fulltime work in Nova Scotia in an occupation in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of NOC2016 in the past five years.		10
E. Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s previous work in Nova Scotia
Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Nova Scotia in the past five years.		5
F. Relatives in Nova Scotia
You or, if applicable, your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have a relative, (parent, grandparent, brother/sister, aunt/uncle or niece/nephew), who is 19 years of age or older as of the date we receive your application, and who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Nova Scotia.		5
G. Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency
Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency in either English or French is at the CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). To receive points for your spouse or common-law partner’s language proficiency, you must submit a copy of the language test results from a designated testing agency with your application. Your spouse or common-law partner’s language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of application to NSOI. Language test results must remain valid throughout the assessment process with NSOI and remain valid at time of submission of a complete application for permanent residence to IRCC.		5
Maximum10

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream is designed to target newcomers with work experience in Nova Scotia who will be able integrate into Nova Scotia’s workforce longterm.

Aligned with the federal Express Entry system, successful applicants to the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream receive a 600 point boost to their Express Entry profiles, virtually guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7 NOC 0 or A
CLB 5 for NOC B
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceEmployed in Nova Scotia
NOC 0, A, or B
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for Category B of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.

 

Connection to Nova Scotia

In order to be eligible for this program, a candidate must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience or an equivalent amount in part-time experience. This must have been obtained while working with an employer in Nova Scotia. The work experience must be at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.  

 

Language Proficiency

If a candidate’s Nova Scotia work experience was obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B then they must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher. If a candidate’s Nova Scotia work experience was obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level B they must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to CLB 5.

Application Procedure

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream is open to new applications at any time. This stream accepts applications electronically via the Nova Scotia online immigration portal. Successful applicants will receive a nomination from Nova Scotia. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream is designed to target experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia.

Successful applicants must start a new business or buy an existing business in which they participate in the day-to-day management duties. After operating the business for one year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 5
Level of EducationNo minimum
Work Experience3 years business ownership or 5 years senior business management
Investment RequirementInvestment: $150,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $600,000 CAD

Language Proficiency

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream, candidates must have official language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher.

 

Work Experience

Since this is a business immigration stream, candidates must demonstrate that they have enough business ownership or management experience to successfully establish and run a business in Nova Scotia. Candidates must have at least three (3) years of business ownership experience, or five (5) years of senior business business management.

 

Investment Requirement

Candidates must demonstrate a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD. As well, successful applicants must invest a minimum of $150,000 CAD in a Nova Scotia business which they will establish and manage.

Application Procedure

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Eligible candidates must submit a profile to a pool of candidates. All the profiles are then assigned a score based on the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Ranking System. The candidates with the highest-ranking profiles will be invited to apply to the stream in one of the program’s periodic intakes. Candidates must include a business establishment plan and a net worth verification report with their application to the stream.

If the applicant successfully demonstrates that they meet the stream requirements, they will be invited to participate in an interview with an immigration officer in Nova Scotia. If the interview is successful, the candidate will be invited to sign a business performance agreement. Once the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) receives the signed business performance agreement, it will issue the applicant a letter of support for a work permit. The applicant must then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a temporary work permit. Work permits issued to business immigration candidates generally do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

If the applicant is issued a temporary work permit, they may then travel to Nova Scotia to establish their business. If the applicant meets the conditions described in the business performance agreement, they will be eligible for a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia once the business has been in operation for at least 12 months.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Ranking System

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream uses the following system to rank candidates who have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs). There is no minimum score, but only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Overview of Factors

Selection factorMaximum Points
Language35
Education25
Business Ownership or Management Experience35
Net Worth10
Age10
Adaptability10
Economic Priorities10
Investment15

Language Ability

 
Language AbilityPointsDocumentation required
First official languageSpeakingListeningReadingWriting 
CLB level 7 or higher7777English language: CELPIP – General test or IELTS- General training test
French: TEF

Test must be taken no more than two years prior to the date the EOI is submitted.
CLB level 66666
CLB level 55555
Second official language
At least CLB 5 in all of the four abilities7
Maximum35
Note: You can only get 7 points in total for basic-level skills in your second official language, and only if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the four language abilities in your first official language.

Education

 
EducationPoints
Canadian high school diploma, or equivalent8
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a one-year program, or equivalent12
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a two- year program, or equivalent19
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer, or equivalent21
Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equivalent (at least one must be for a program of at least three years)22
Master’s degree or equivalent23
University level entry-to-practice professional degree
Occupation related to the degree must be:
– NOC 2016 Skill Level A, and
– Licensed by a provincial regulatory body.		23
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level or equivalent25
Maximum25

Business Ownership

 
Business Ownership or Senior Management ExperiencePoints
3 to 5 years of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) in the last 10 years20
Greater than 5 years of experience in a senior management role in the last 10 years20
Greater than 5 years of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) in the last 10 years35
Maximum35

Net Worth

 
Net WorthPoints
$600,000 CAD – $999,999 CAD5
1Million CAD – $1.5 Million CAD7
Greater than $1.5 Million CAD10
Maximum10

Age

 
AgePoints
21-245
25-327
33-3910
40-447
45-555
56+0
Maximum10

Adaptability

 
AdaptabilityPoints
Your spouse or common-law partner’s language level
Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing)		5
Your past study in Nova Scotia
You have finished at least two years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post- secondary school in Nova Scotia (full-time study means at least 15 hours of instruction per week), and have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.		10
Your spouse or common-law partner’s past study in Nova Scotia
Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has finished at least two years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia (full-time study means at least 15 hours of instruction per week), and has remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.		5
Your past work in Nova Scotia
You did at least one year of full-time work in Nova Scotia:
– In an occupation listed in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and
– on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		10
Your spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Nova Scotia
Your spouse or common-law partner did at least one year of full-time work in Nova Scotia on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		5
Relatives in Nova Scotia
You, or, if it applies, your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative, either a parent, grandparent, brother/sister, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, who is living in Nova Scotia for at least one continuous year, 19 years or older, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.		5
Maximum10

Economic Priorities

 
Nova Scotia Economic PrioritiesPoints
Export-oriented business5
Proposed business location outside of Halifax County5
Business succession5
Maximum10

Investment

 
InvestmentPoints
$150,000 CAD– $300,000 CAD10
Greater than $300,000 CAD15
Maximum15

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur – Recent Draws

Below is the information regarding recent Nova Scotia Entrepreneur draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream is designed to target recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or Nova Scotia Community College. Applicants must have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least one year.

This program is by invitation only. Interested candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). After submitting an EOI the candidate will be assigned a score based on the Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur points grid. The applicants with the most competitive scores will be invited to submit an official application to the program. Please read below to learn more about the program requirements and application procedure for the Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur stream.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationPost-secondary
2 years
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership and management
In Nova Scotia
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to Nova Scotia

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur stream, candidates must have graduated from a Nova Scotia university or community college with a degree or diploma after a minimum of two years of full time study. Candidates must also demonstrate that they have owned and managed a Nova Scotia business for at least 12 months. The candidate must have one-third ownership of the business. Finally, applicants must currently be residing in Nova Scotia with a valid post-graduation work permit.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates for this stream must have official language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed a minimum two-year diploma or degree from an eligible university or community college in Nova Scotia.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have owned and operated a business in Nova Scotia for at least one (1) year while on a valid post-graduation work permit.

Application Procedure

The Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Eligible candidates must submit a profile to a pool of candidates. All the profiles are then assigned a score based on the Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Ranking System. The candidates with the highest-ranking profiles will be invited to apply to the stream in one of the program’s periodic intakes. Candidates must include an audit opinion and special purpose report attesting to the viability of the business with their application to the stream.

If the applicant successfully demonstrates that they meet the stream requirements, they will be invited to participate in an interview with an immigration officer in Nova Scotia. If the interview is successful, the candidate will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

After receiving a provincial nomination, the candidate has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Points Grid

The Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur stream uses the following system to rank candidates who have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs). There is no minimum score, but only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Overview of Factors

Selection factorPoints
Language35
Education25
Work experience15
Adaptability10
Age10
Economic Priorities5

Language Ability

 
Language AbilityPointsDocumentation required
First official languageSpeakingListeningReadingWriting 
CLB level 7 or higher7777English language: CELPIP – General test or IELTS- General training test
French: TEF

Test must be taken no more than two years prior to the date the EOI is submitted.
CLB level 66666
CLB level 55555
Second official language
At least CLB 5 in all of the four abilities7
Maximum35
Note: You can only get 7 points in total for basic-level skills in your second official language, and only if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the four language abilities in your first official language.

Education

 
EducationPoints
Canadian high school diploma, or equivalent8
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a one-year program, or equivalent12
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a two- year program, or equivalent19
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer, or equivalent21
Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equivalent (at least one must be for a program of at least three years)22
Master’s degree or equivalent23
University level entry-to-practice professional degree
Occupation related to the degree must be:
– NOC 2016 Skill Level A, and
– Licensed by a provincial regulatory body.		23
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level or equivalent25
Maximum25

Business Ownership

 
Business Ownership or Senior Management ExperiencePoints
3 to 5 years of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) in the last 10 years20
Greater than 5 years of experience in a senior management role in the last 10 years20
Greater than 5 years of business ownership experience (minimum 1/3 ownership) in the last 10 years35
Maximum35

Net Worth

 
Net WorthPoints
$600,000 CAD – $999,999 CAD5
1Million CAD – $1.5 Million CAD7
Greater than $1.5 Million CAD10
Maximum10

Age

 
AgePoints
21-245
25-327
33-3910
40-447
45-555
56+0
Maximum10

Adaptability

 
AdaptabilityPoints
Your spouse or common-law partner’s language level
Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing)		5
Your past study in Nova Scotia
You have finished at least two years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post- secondary school in Nova Scotia (full-time study means at least 15 hours of instruction per week), and have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.		10
Your spouse or common-law partner’s past study in Nova Scotia
Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has finished at least two years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia (full-time study means at least 15 hours of instruction per week), and has remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.		5
Your past work in Nova Scotia
You did at least one year of full-time work in Nova Scotia:
– In an occupation listed in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and
– on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		10
Your spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Nova Scotia
Your spouse or common-law partner did at least one year of full-time work in Nova Scotia on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.		5
Relatives in Nova Scotia
You, or, if it applies, your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative, either a parent, grandparent, brother/sister, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, who is living in Nova Scotia for at least one continuous year, 19 years or older, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.		5
Maximum10

Economic Priorities

 
Nova Scotia Economic PrioritiesPoints
Export-oriented business5
Proposed business location outside of Halifax County5
Business succession5
Maximum10

Investment

 
InvestmentPoints
$150,000 CAD– $300,000 CAD10
Greater than $300,000 CAD15
Maximum15

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur – Recent Draws

Below is the information regarding recent Nova Scotia Entrepreneur draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker stream is part of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. The stream is designed to assist Nova Scotian employers to recruit international workers in order to fill gaps in the labour force.

Through this program, employers who have been unable to fill positions with Canadian citizens or permanent residents may provide job offers to interested foreign workers to facilitate their immigration. This program is an excellent option for foreign workers and recently graduated international students who have a job offer from a Nova Scotian employer.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationPost-secondary
2 years
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership and management
In Nova Scotia
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Job Offer

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker stream, candidates must have a valid job offer from an eligible employer in Nova Scotia. In order to be considered valid, the job offer must be from a business which has a permanent residence in Nova Scotia and which has been in active operation over the previous two years. In order for a job offer to be valid for this program, the business must demonstrate that they were unable to find a Canadian permanent resident or citizen to fill the position.

If the job offer is for a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level C or D, the applicant must have already been working with the employer for at least 6 months. Candidates must show that they have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in the same occupation as their offer of employment.  

 

Language Proficiency

If a candidate speaks English or French as their first language and is applying with a job offer at NOC skill level 0, A, or B, then they will be exempt from the language test requirement. If a candidate speaks English or French as a second-language then they must demonstrate proof of language proficiency. Candidates applying with a job offer at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B must demonstrate language test results consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5. Candidates applying with a job offer at NOC Skill Level C or D must demonstrate test results at CLB level 4.  

 

Level of Education

All candidates applying to this stream must demonstrate a level of education of at least a Canadian high school diploma or an international equivalent.  

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in an occupation related to the job offer they have received.  

 

Settlement Funds

All candidates for this stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker category are accepted at all times, provided that an applicant meets program requirements. Applications to this stream are processed on a first-come, first served basis. Successful applicants will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence from Nova Scotia.

After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

The Nova Scotia Physician Stream is part of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. The stream is designed to assist Nova Scotia health organizations to recruit highly skilled foreign doctors to fill labour shortages in the province’s health sector.

Physicians who are successful through this program will be able to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. This stream is ideal for physicians who have secured a valid job offer from one of the eligible health sector employers in Nova Scotia.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyNo minimum
Level of EducationMedical Licence
Work ExperienceNo minimum
Investment RequirementNone

Job Offer

In order to be considered eligible, a foreign national must have a job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre. This job offer must be for a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 3111 (specialist physician) or 3112 (general practitioner or family physician).  

 

Language Proficiency & Level of Education

While there is no minimum language proficiency, level of education, or work experience for this stream, the hiring process for both the NSHA and IWK Health Centre include extensive review of prospective employees’ educational/medical credentials, language proficiency, and eligibility for licensing in Nova Scotia. Normally, immigration applications require the same sort of proof of education, language, and licensing. Through the Physician Stream, the same assessments obtained by the Nova Scotia employer will be used in the immigration application, making the application process easier for the foreign national.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Nova Scotia Physician Stream are accepted at all times, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be completed and submit directly to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program by email. Successful applicants through this program will receive an provincial nomination from the province of Nova Scotia. This enables applicants to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence to the federal government. Applicants must submit a paper-based application in hard copy to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months of receiving the official provincial nomination.

Applicants who have received a provincial nomination through the Physician Stream will be issued a work permit support letter from the province of Nova Scotia. This letter may be used in an application for a temporary work permit which will enable the applicant to work in Nova Scotia while the PR application is processing. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream is designed to target workers with experience in extremely high-demand occupations or those with proficiency in the province’s language priorities.

Aligned with the federal Express Entry system, successful applicants to the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream receive a 600 point boost to their Express Entry profiles, virtually guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. This stream selects candidates with work experience in extremely high-demand occupations or those with proficiency in the province’s language priorities. The program sometimes announces occupations in advance of an intake, but sometimes occupations are not announced and candidates are invited directly from the Express Entry pool.

Eligibility Criteria

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7; or,
as indicated
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceExpress Entry Requirement; or,
High Priority NOC (if indicated)
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.

 

Language Proficiency & Education

Sometimes the province specifically selects candidates with high French-language proficiency. However, this is not always the case. Candidates for this stream must meet the minimum language proficiency and education requirements of their Express Entry program.

 

Work Experience

The program often requires applicants to have work experience in a specific occupation. Eligible occupations change regularly and are announced by the province. Candidates for this stream must meet the minimum work experience requirements of their Express Entry program.

Application Procedure

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream operates on an invitation only basis. To apply to the stream, candidates who meet the minimum eligibility requirements must create an Express Entry profile. They must then wait to be issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) from Nova Scotia. If the candidate is selected, the LOI will be issued directly to their IRCC account, linked to their Express Entry profile. After receiving an LOI, the candidate must prepare and submit an application to Nova Scotia.

If the province approves the application, Nova Scotia will notify the applicant they have been selected for provincial nomination. This notification will be sent to the applicant’s IRCC online account. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s CRS score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Recent Intake Rounds

Below is the information regarding past intake rounds for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians is a stream under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province. This stream targets trained physicians with an active profile in the Federal Express Entry pool.

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians offers a bridge between the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream, targeting candidates in the Federal Express Entry pool, and the Physician Stream, targeting general practitioners, family physicians and specialist physicians. Those who are selected by the province to receive a nomination will earn an additional 600 points to their Express Entry profile, making them very competitive for receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be considered eligible, a foreign national must have a job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre. This job offer must be for a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 3111 (specialist physician) or 3112 (general practitioner or family physician).

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.

Language Proficiency & Education

Candidates for this stream must meet the minimum language proficiency and education requirements of their Express Entry program. Must provide copy of an Education Credential Assessment or proof of education and medical training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.

Application Procedure

To be eligible for Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream candidates must first create a profile in the Federal Express Entry pool. Those selected by the province to apply for the stream will receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the province, appearing in their Express Entry profile online. If the application is approved, the candidate will be nominated by Nova Scotia for Canadian permanent resident status and receive 600 points to their Express Entry profile.This increase will virtually guarantee the candidate receives an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.

With an invitation in hand, the candidate must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Recent Intake Rounds

The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream has yet to conduct any intake rounds. Check back here for updates!

Occupations In Demand is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream targets workers holding a job offer from a Nova Scotian employer in an in demand field.

Presently, the only occupations eligible for this program are NOC 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates), NOC 7511 (transport truck drivers), NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)), and NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers).

Nova Scotia has announced that this stream will be run as a three-year pilot program, during which the eligible occupations will change. Targeted professions will change based on the province’s labour needs.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 55 to apply.

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceNOC 3413,
NOC 7511, or NOC 7611
Investment RequirementNone

Language Proficiency & Education

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand stream, applicants must have completed a minimum level of education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. As well, they must have language test results demonstrating proficiency in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4).

Job Offer

Candidates must have a valid offer of employment from a Nova Scotia employer for a position in NOC 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates), NOC 7511 (transport truck drivers), NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)), or NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers). The offer must for a permanent, full-time position.

To be considered a valid offer of employment, the employer must demonstrate that sufficient efforts were made to recruit a Canadian for the position. This can be shown by obtaining an LMIA, and LMIA-exemption, or through showing that the position was posted on three Canadian job boards for at least four consecutive weeks.

Work Experience

Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of work experience related to the position.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand category are accepted at all times, provided that an applicant meets program requirements. Applicants may apply using the online portal on the Nova Scotia immigration website. Successful applicants will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence from Nova Scotia.

Once an applicant has been nominated, they will be issued a Letter of Support, allowing them to apply for a temporary work permit so they can travel to Nova Scotia to begin work.

After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Located in central Canada, the province of Ontario is the most popular destination for new immigrants to Canada. The province hosts the city of Toronto, Canada’s economic hub, as well as the nation’s capital city, Ottawa.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:

  • Ontario Human Capital
  • Ontario Employer Job Offer
  • Ontario Entrepreneur

Ontario Human Capital

Ontario Human Capital encompasses a range of immigration streams targeting candidates for Ontario’s labour force. The Human Capital streams emphasize skills, abilities, or experience which suggest a foreign national can easily join the Ontario labour force. Those who have work or educational experience in Ontario, those who are proficient in both English and French, and those with competitive Express Entry profiles may find success through one of these streams.

  • Human Capital Priorities – Express Entry
  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker – Express Entry
  • Skilled Trades – Express Entry
  • Masters Graduate
  • PhD Graduate

Ontario Employer Job Offer

Ontario Employer Job Offer streams provide immigration options for applicants who have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. Both the employer and the job itself must meet certain conditions in order to be considered valid. As well, the applicant must meet certain eligibility requirements depending on which stream they wish to apply through.

  • Foreign Worker
  • International Student with a Job Offer
  • In-Demand Skills

Ontario Entrepreneur

Ontario’s Entreprener  Stream is designed to target wealthy entrepreneurs who are interested in making significant investments in business development in Ontario. Through this program, entrepreneurs with proven track records of success can launch new business projects in Ontario. If these projects are successful, the applicants involved will be nominated for Canadian permanent residence

Ontario Express Entry Streams are a collection of immigration streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Operated by the province of Ontario, this Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), encompasses three immigration streams targeting foreign nationals who demonstrate a collection of skills, experiences, and/or abilities which make them ideal candidates for Ontario’s labour force.

Ontario Express Entry Stream includes the following streams:

  • Ontario Human Capital Priorities: is one of the streams of Ontario Human Capital. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, so candidates must have an active Express Entry profile to be considered. Ontario selects exceptional candidates from the Express Entry pool, and invites them to submit applications to the PNP.
  • Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker: is one of the streams of Ontario Human Capital. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, so candidates must have an active Express Entry profile to be considered. Ontario selects candidates from the Express Entry pool who have valid language tests demonstrating intermediate proficiency in both English and French. Those selected will be invited to submit an application to the PNP.
  • Ontario Skilled Trades: is one of the streams of Ontario Human Capital. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, so candidates must have an active Express Entry profile to be considered. Ontario selects candidates from the Express Entry pool who demonstrate recent work experience obtained within Ontario in one of Canada’s skilled trade occupations. Those selected by the province will be invited to submit an application to the PNP.

Applicants who are successful through any of the Ontario Human Capital streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Ontario. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Before you apply: Create a profile in the Express Entry system

To embark on your immigration journey to Ontario through the Express Entry system, you’ll first need to create a profile in the IRCC’s Express Entry System. This profile is a crucial step to receive a notification of interest, which is essential for applying to Ontario’s Express Entry streams. Your process commences with the completion of a questionnaire designed by IRCC to determine the immigration programs that best suit your circumstances.

Before creating your profile, there are a few key tasks you must complete:

  1. Take a language test.
  2. Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment if your education was acquired outside Canada.
  3. Determine the National Occupational Classification code that corresponds to your previous work experience.

Within your Express Entry profile, you will need to indicate your interest in immigration to Ontario by selecting either Ontario or All Provinces and Territories. It’s imperative to provide accurate and truthful information in your profile. Inaccuracies could lead to the rejection of your OINP application, withdrawal of your nomination, or even a finding of inadmissibility, along with a potential five-year ban on applying for immigration to Canada.

Furthermore, to be eligible for Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must meet the requirements of one of the federal programs, either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class. And when you submit your application to the OINP, you must specify the federal program under which you wish to be assessed. Please note that if you are applying under the Skilled Trades stream, you must meet the criteria of the Canadian Experience Class.

Important Note: An Express Entry profile does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply to the OINP

Notifications of interest 

We search IRCC’s Express Entry pool to find candidates who may meet the criteria of one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams. If we identify you as a candidate, we will send you a notification of interest through your IRCC online account inviting you to submit an online application to the OINP.If you are invited to apply, you will receive a Notification of Interest in your IRCC online account. Important Note: A notification of interest does not guarantee you will receive a certificate of nomination.

How to apply?

If you receive a Notification of Interest, that means the province is inviting you to submit an online application to the OINP. Then you must:

  • Demonstrate that you meet all stream requirements at the time of your application, including that you had the qualifications that you claimed in your Express Entry profile.If it is determined that any information provided in your Express Entry profile is not accurate, is incorrect, or misleading, your application may be denied, and you may be subject to penalties or prosecution.
  • Submit your applicationwithin 45 calendar days from the date you receive the notification.

You can consult the Applying to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) page for instructions on how to apply after receiving a notification of interest.

Maintain an Updated Express Entry profile

To be eligible for nomination through Ontario’s Express Entry system, you must maintain a valid profile throughout the application process. If your profile expires while your application is being processed, you are required to promptly notify the province. This notification should include specific documentation, such as a copy of the letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) acknowledging your new Express Entry profile and a copy of the letter from IRCC explaining the ineligibility of your old profile. Failing to inform the program about your new profile will lead to the return of your application as incomplete and a refund of your application fee.

Additionally, if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC while your application is under review by the OINP, your profile will no longer be available for nomination by Ontario. In such a situation, you must make a choice between rejecting the ITA from IRCC or withdrawing your application with the OINP. If you opt to reject the ITA, you should also contct the province government.

What Happens If I Am Nominated?

If you are selected, you’ll receive a nomination approval letter and a nomination certificate via email. These details will be recorded in the IRCC Express Entry System, and you’ll be also notified of your nomination through your IRCC online account. You’ll have 30 days to either accept or decline the nomination in the Express Entry System. If accepted, you’ll gain an additional 600 points, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC in the subsequent invitation round.

After accepting, you’ll have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence to IRCC, which should include your nomination approval letter and nomination certificate. It’s crucial to note that a nomination does not guarantee the approval of your application for permanent residence with IRCC. Should your original Express Entry profile become ineligible, you may request a transfer of your nomination to a new Express Entry profile.

Ontario Employer Job Offer is a collection of immigration streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Ontario. 

Ontario Employer Job Offer encompasses three immigration streams targeting foreign nationals who have secured valid job offers from qualifying employers in the province.

OINP Employer Job Offer includes the following streams:

  • Ontario Foreign Workers
  • Ontario International Students with a Job Offer
  • Ontario In-Demand Skills

Applicants who are successful through any of the Ontario Employer Job Offer streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Ontario. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Ontario Foreign Workers

Ontario Foreign Workers is a stream of Ontario Employer Job Offer targeting foreign workers who have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. In order to qualify, the job offer and Ontario employer must meet certain conditions. As well, the foreign worker must meet certain eligibility requirements regarding previous skilled work experience.

Ontario International Students with a Job Offer

Ontario International Students is a stream of Ontario Employer Job Offer targeting international graduates of eligible Canadian colleges or universities who have a job offer from an Ontario employer. The job offer and the Ontario employer must meet certain conditions to be considered valid. As well, the international student must meet eligibility requirements regarding their Canadian education.

Ontario In-Demand Skills

Ontario In-Demand Skills is a stream of Ontario Employer Job Offer targeting low-skilled workers who have obtained a job offer from an Ontario employer. The job offer must be for a position included on Ontario’s In-Demand Occupations List. Both the offer and the employer must meet certain conditions. As well, the foreign worker must meet certain requirements regarding past work experience, education, and language proficiency.

Ontario Employer Job Offer Ranking System

The Ontario Employer Job Offer Ranking system uses the following points grid to rank candidates who have registered profiles. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Ontario Employer Job Offer – Recent Draws & Invitation History

Below is the information regarding recent Ontario Employer Job Offer draws from all categories:

Ontario Job Offer – Foreign Worker stream

 

Ontario Masters Graduate is one of the Human Capital streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Ontario. The Masters Graduate stream targets recent graduates with master’s degrees obtained at an eligible Ontario institution who have the intention of living and working in Ontario.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the Ontario Masters Graduate Stream will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationMaster’s Degree
Work ExperienceNo minimum
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to Ontario

In order to qualify for the Ontario Masters Graduate stream, candidates must demonstrate past residency in Ontario. Successful applicants must show that they have resided in Ontario for at least 12 out of the 24 months prior to the application.

Language Proficiency

The Masters Graduate stream requires a minimum language proficiency score, in either English or French, consistent with the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario institution within the last two years. Eligible institutions of study for the Ontario Masters Graduate stream include the following:

All candidates for the Ontario Masters Graduate stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Intention to Reside

Applications also require proof of intention to reside in Ontario permanently, possibly through an Ontario job offer or family connections.

Application Procedure

This stream operates under the OINP Expression of Interest system.

Eligible applicants can submit an EOI through OINP’s e-Filing Portal throughout the year for the chance to be invited to apply for nomination. Profiles are ranked on an OINP points-based system. The highest-ranking candidates will be issued an invitation to apply in one of the OINP draws.

Once an invitation is received, the applicant has 14 calendar days to apply for nomination.

If the province approves the application, Ontario will notify the applicant they have been selected for provincial nomination. This notification will be sent to the applicant’s ONe-Key account within the e-Filing Portal.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant must submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Ontario Masters Graduate Ranking System

FactorMaximum Points
Canadian Work ExperienceLength4
NOC skill level3
Earnings history3
EducationField of study10
Canadian education experience10
LanguageOfficial language ability (CLB level)10
Knowledge of official languages (English, French, or both)10
Regional ImmigrationLocation of study10
Strategic ProritiesOntario may award additional points to address labour market needs as required10
Total Available Points70

Ontario Masters Graduate – Recent Draws & Invitation History

Below is information regarding recent Ontario Masters Graduate draws.

Ontario PhD Graduate is one of the Human Capital streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Ontario. PhD Graduate targets recent graduates with doctoral degrees obtained at an Ontario institution and who have the intention of living and working in Ontario.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the Ontario PhD Graduate Stream will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyNo minimum
Level of EducationPhD
Work ExperienceNo minimum
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to Ontario

Candidates must demonstrate past residency in Ontario. Successful applicants must show that they have resided in Ontario for at least 12 out of the 24 months prior to the application and they must be residing in Ontario when their application is submitted.

Level of Education

In order to qualify for the Ontario PhD Graduate stream, candidates must have completed a doctoral degree from an eligible Ontario institutions within the last two years. At least two years of study must have been completed in Ontario.

Settlement Funds

All candidates for the Ontario PhD Graduate stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Intention to Reside

Applications also require proof of intention to reside in Ontario permanently, possibly through an Ontario job offer or family connections.

Application Procedure

This stream operates under the OINP Expression of Interest system.

Eligible applicants can submit an EOI through OINP’s e-Filing Portal throughout the year for the chance to be invited to apply for nomination. Profiles are ranked on an OINP points-based system. The highest-ranking candidates will be issued an invitation to apply in one of the OINP draws.

Once an invitation is received, the applicant has 14 calendar days to apply for nomination.

If the province approves the application, Ontario will notify the applicant they have been selected for provincial nomination. This notification will be sent to the applicant’s ONe-Key account within the e-Filing Portal.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant must submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Ontario PhD Graduate Ranking System

FactorMaximum Points
Canadian Work ExperienceLength4
NOC skill level3
Earnings history3
EducationField of study10
Canadian education experience10
LanguageOfficial language ability (CLB level)10
Knowledge of official languages (English, French, or both)10
Regional ImmigrationLocation of study10
Strategic ProritiesOntario may award additional points to address labour market needs as required10
Total Available Points70

Ontario PhD Graduate – Recent Draws & Invitation History

Below is information regarding recent Ontario PhD Graduate draws.

The Ontario Entrepreneur stream is one of the Business Streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of Ontario. This stream is designed to target experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Ontario. Successful applicants must start a new business or buy an existing business in which they participate in the day-to-day management duties.

After operating an Ontario business for a minimum of 18 months, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. This program is by invitation only. Interested candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the OINP e-Filing Portal. After registering a profile the candidate will be assigned a score based on the Ontario Entrepreneur Ranking System. The candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to submit an official application to the program.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationNo minimum
Work ExperienceBusiness owner or senior manager (business management) for at least 24 months of the last 60 months.
Investment RequirementInvestment: $200,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $400,000 CAD

In order to qualify to submit an EOI for the Ontario Entrepreneur stream, a candidate must be able to prove they have the interest, ability, and financial resources to own and actively manage an Ontario business. For this reason, the program requires a high level of business management experience as well as a significant financial net worth.

 

Investment Requirement

This stream requires a significant net worth and investment on the part of the applicant. The exact amount varies depending on the location of the proposed business and the type of business:

  1. Inside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) If the proposed business is located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) the applicant must have a minimum net worth of at least $800,000 CAD. As well, the applicant must make a minimum personal investment of at least $600,000 CAD and control at least one-third of the equity in the business.
  2. Outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) If the proposed business is located outside of the GTA, the applicant must have a minimum net worth of at least $400,000 CAD and must invest at least $200,000 CAD and control at least one-third of the equity in the business.
  3. In the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/Digital Communications Sector If the proposed business is in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/Digital Communications sector then the applicant must have a net worth of at least $400,000 CAD and must invest at least $200,000 CAD.

Additionally, the proposed business cannot be on the list of ineligible businesses.

 

Work Experience

In order to qualify, the applicant must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months. This work must be in an active role, meaning that the applicant participated in day-to-day operations rather than as a passive business investor. The applicant will also have to maintain an active role with their proposed business in Ontario and must control at least one-third of the equity in the proposed business.

 

Business Plan

Interested applicants will have to provide an in-depth proposal for their business plan in Ontario. The proposed business must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates for this stream must have valid language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 or higher in English. This is not required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) but is required as part of the official application to OINP.

 

Residency Requirement

While in Ontario, applicants will be required to reside in the province for at least 75% of the time establishing their business.

 

Business Partner

An applicant may be able to submit an application with a business partner, but both parties must meet all minimum requirements. Only one business partner is permitted.

Ineligible Types of Businesses

The following types of businesses are not eligible to apply for the Ontario Entrepreneur stream:  

List of ineligible types of business in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
Gas stations
Tire recycling
Scrap metal recycling
Pawnbrokers
Bed and breakfasts
Holding companies
Laundromats
Automated car wash operations
Pay dar loan and related businesses
Businesses which have been previously owned/operated by current or former OINP business stream nominees

 

The Ontario Entrepreneur stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the minimum stream requirements can register a profile and submit an EOI by creating a ONe-key account with the OINP e-Filing Portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be assigned a score and ranked against one another using the Ontario Entrepreneur Ranking system. The highest ranking candidates will be invited to apply to the stream.

Candidates who receive an invitation to apply have 90 days to submit all required information and documents, including a business plan and a review of personal net worth. This verification of personal net worth must be completed by a qualified third party. The Ontario Entrepreneur stream charges a $3,500 CAD application fee per applicant. Note that if an application is complete, the next stage of the application requires the applicant to attend a mandatory in-person interview at the OINP offices in Ontario. Travel and accommodations for this interview are at the applicant’s expense.

If the application is approved, the applicant will have to sign a Performance Agreement with the OINP. After this, the OINP will issue a work permit support letter, enabling the applicant to gain authorization to Canada. Select business categories of immigration allow foreign nationals to apply for temporary work permits allowing them to work in Canada while establishing their business practice. These work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), meaning they are LMIA-exempt. To apply for such a work permit, an applicant must include a work permit support letter issued by the province and submit their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Once arriving in Canada, the applicant has a maximum of 20 months to implement their business plan. Between 18 to 20 months, the applicant must submit a final report to OINP which acts as a request for nomination. If an applicant’s final report is approved by the OINP, they will receive an official provincial nomination.

With a provincial nomination in hand, the applicant may apply for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Ontario Entrepreneur Ranking System

The Ontario Entrepreneur stream uses the following points-grid to rank candidates who have submitted EOIs. Only those candidates with the most competitive scores will be invited to apply to the program.

Overview of Factors

Scoring SectionsPoints
Experience Factors50
Investment Factors100
Human Capital Factors20
Total Points Available170

Experience Duration

 
Experience Total DurationPoints
Business Owner
Less than 24 monthsNot eligible
24 – 47 months13
48 – 59 months19
60 months25
Senior Manager (Business Management)
Less than 24 monthsNot eligible
48 – 59 months19
60 months25
Total Points Available25

Specific Experience

 
Past Specific ExperiencePoints
No0
Yes: 1 past specific experience15
Yes: 2 past specific experience25
Yes: 3 past specific experience35
Total Points Available35

Personal Net Worth

 
Personal Net WorthPoints
If your proposed business will be within the GTA
Less than $800,000Not eligible
$800,000 to $2,499,9995
$2,500,000 or more10
If your proposed business will be outside the GTA OR If your proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location)
Less than $400,000Not eligible
$400,000 to $999,99910
$1,000,000 or more15
Total Points Available15

Investment Amount

 
Investment AmountPoints
If your proposed business will be within the GTA
Less than $600,000Not eligible
$600,000 to $1,499,99910
$1,500,000 to $2,999,99915
$3,000,000 or more20
If your proposed business will be outside the GTA OR if your proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location)
Less than $200,000Not eligible
$200,000 to $499,99915
$500,000 to $799,99920
$800,000 or more25
Total Points Available25

Job Creation

 
Job CreationPoints
1 for outside GTA or ICT/Digital Communications sector
2 for inside GTA		3
3-4 jobs5
5 or more jobs7
Total Points Available7

Business Visits

 
Business-Related Visits to OntarioPoints
No0
Yes6
Total Points Available6

Targeted Key Sector

 
Significant Economic Benefit and Key SectorPoints
Unsatisfactory/Unclear0
Fair5
Good10
Total Points Available10

Business Location

 
Business LocationPoints
CMA with a population of 175,000 or more0
CMA or CA with a population greater than 100,000 but less than 175,0005
Other location with a population of 100,000 or below10
Total Points Available10

Job Creation NOC Level

 
Creation of N0C 0, A or B JobsPoints
0 NOC 0, A or B job(s)0
1 NOC 0, A or B job(s) 55
2 or more NOC 0, A or B job(s) 77
Total Points Available7

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints
No post-secondary education0
Post-secondary degree or diploma – two-year
program		5
Post-secondary degree or diploma – three-year
program or longer		10
Total Points Available10

Language Ability

 
Official Language AbilityPoints
None or minimal (CLB 3 or below)0
Basic understanding (CLB 4)5
Intermediate and advanced (CLB 5 or higher)10
Total Points Available10

Ontario Entrepreneur – Recent Draws & Invitation History

Below is the information regarding recent Ontario Entrepreneur stream draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

The Ontario Regional Immigration Pilot is part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and is designed to draw skilled workers to rural and smaller communities in Ontario, in order to fill local labour gaps.

The Regional Immigration Pilot is intended to draw and retain skilled workers to rural and smaller communities throughout the province.  The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program works with local partners in each community to ensure the successful settlement of newcomers.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the Regional Immigration Pilot program will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. The Regional Immigration Pilot is not an immigration program. Candidates who are eligible and have an Expression of Interest under one of Ontario’s existing Employer Job Offer programs, and who meet the requirements for the Regional Immigration Pilot program may be able to benefit from this program. The pilot offers separate draws for qualifying candidates, which typically do not require a minimum score to be invited.

Communities Selected for the Regional Immigration Pilot

The Regional Immigration Pilot seeks to attract and support the settlement of newcomers to smaller communities. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program works with local partners in each community to ensure the successful settlement of immigrants.

Communities currently participating in the Regional Immigration Pilot include:

  •       Chatham-Kent
  •       Cities of Belleville and Quinte West
  •       City of Cornwall

These cities have newcomer settlement infrastructure in place such as language and settlement services.

Job Offer Requirements

In order to qualify for the Regional Immigration program, a candidate’s job offer must be from an employer located in one of the participating pilot communities. The offer must be full-time and permanent.

Application Procedure

The Regional Immigration Pilot program is aligned with OINP’s Employer Job Offer programs. In order to apply for the Regional Immigration Pilot program, a foreign national must be eligible under one of the three Employer Job Offer streams. If this requirement is met, the person may initiate the application process by registering an Expression of Interest profile with OINP.

Once the profile is registered, the applicant will be considered in subsequent OINP Expression of Interest draws. Eligible candidates may receive an invitation to apply for nomination. Successful nominees are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. 

Despite Prince Edward Island’s small size and population, the Atlantic island province boasts incredible coastal culture with booming tourism, fishing, and agricultural industries.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways that target immigrants with business acumen, skilled workers, and young graduates who are fresh from post-secondary education.

The PEI PNP gives prospective newcomers the chance to receive a provincial nomination through one of its many immigration streams, which may fast-track their path to Canadian permanent residence. The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:

  • PEI Express Entry
  • PEI Labour Impact
  • PEI Business Impact

PEI Express Entry

Prospective immigrants who are in the federal Express Entry pool and have expressed their interest of living and working in Prince Edward Island may be eligible for PEI Express Entry. Candidates must be eligible for one of the federal economic immigration classes, however only applicants whose skills and experience match the province’s current labour needs will be considered for Express Entry PNP.

  • PEI Express Entry

Labour Impact

Foreign workers and recent graduates are welcome to apply for provincial nomination via one of Prince Edward Island’s Labour Impact streams. These programs give individuals who have already been hired by a PEI employer the opportunity to access an accelerated path to permanent residency should they receive PEI PNP.

  • Skilled Workers in PEI
  • Skilled Workers Outside Canada
  • Critical Worker
  • International Graduate

Business Impact

Whether establishing a business with 100% ownership or investing in a new or established PEI business, individuals wishing to immigrate to Canada on a business visa may take advantage of the Business Impact stream of the PEI PNP. They may also choose to obtain a work permit by investing in a PEI business, which will provide a faster transition to their new life in Canada and PEI.

  • Work Permit
  • 100% Ownership (closed)
  • Partial Ownership (closed)

Prince Edward Island Ranking System

Applicants wishing to immigrate to Prince Edward Island via PEI PNP will be required to create a profile in the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Applicants will be assigned a score based on this profile, and the highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit an application during periodic intakes.

Prince Edward Island Ranking System

 
PEI Express Entry Ranking System
 
FactorWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
Age2020
Language2020
Education1515
Work experience1520
Employment1510
Adaptability1515
Maximum Points100100
PEI Labour Impact Ranking System
 
FactorSkilled WorkerCritical WorkerInternational Graduate
Age151525
Language2020N/A
Education151535
Work experience2020N/A
Employment151520
Adaptability151520
Maximum Points100100100
PEI Business Impact Ranking System
 
FactorMax Points
Age20
Language40
Education20
Business ownership or senior management experience50
Community endorsement35
Adaptability35
Maximum Points200

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Prince Edward Island participates in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). The AIPP is a economic growth initiative developed in partnership between the federal government and Canada’s Atlantic provinces. AIPP facilitates the immigration process for newcomers who have obtained a job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region.

Unlike many other Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, the Express Entry stream of Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Program (PEI PNP) does not require candidates to have a job offer from a PEI employer at the time of submitting their Expression of Interest.

Candidates receive provincial nomination based on whether their skills and work experience meet PEI’s labour needs, and this nomination will can significantly increase their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence via the Express Entry steam.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencySee Express Entry requirements
Level of EducationSee Express Entry requirements
Work ExperienceSee Express Entry requirements
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for the PEI PNP Express Entry stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level 0 or A and CLB 5 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level B.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French at CLB Level 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

 

Job Offer

Applicants are not required to have a job offer from a PEI employer. However, applicants who are currently living and working in PEI will be given top priority. Applicants are also assessed differently in the PEI Express Entry Ranking System if they have a valid job offer.

Application Procedure

The PEI PNP Express Entry stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system similar to Express Entry. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a profile to PEI’s pool of candidates. All of the candidates in the pool will then be ranked against each other based on the PEI Express Entry Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a complete application to the stream in one of the category’s periodic draws. Note that while applicants must have an active Express Entry profile to be eligible, the PEI PNP Express Entry profile, pool, and ranking system are all separate from the Express Entry profile, pool, and ranking system.

Successful candidates will have to accept the provincial nomination on their IRCC online account. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

PEI Express Entry Ranking System

FactorWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
Age2020
Language2020
Education1515
Work experience1520
Employment1510
Adaptability1515
Maximum Points100100

Age

 
AgeWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
18-2477
25-292020
30-441515
45-491010
Over 4900
Maximum Points2020

Language Proficiency

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
CLB/NCLC 102020
CLB/NCLC 92020
CLB/NCLC 81515
CLB/NCLC 71010
Below CLB/NCLC 700
Maximum Points2020

Education

 
Level of EducationWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level1515
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study1212
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study1010
High school00
Maximum points1515

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
6 or more years1520
4-6 years1515
2-4 years1010
1-years55
Maximum points1520

Community Endorsement

 
EmploymentWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
Working in PEI on a valid work permit5–
Job offer in PEI related to field of study5–
Foreign qualification with the regulated body in PEI55
One year or more of continuous full-time work experience in PEI55
Maximum points1510

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilityWith Job OfferWithout a Job Offer
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months55
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French55
The applicant currently owns residential property in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months55
The applicant graduated from a recognized PEI post-secondary institution55
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		55
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months55
Maximum1515

PEI Labour Impact and Express Entry Recent Draws

PEI is seeking experienced business people and entrepreneurs with the skills needed to help propel its provincial economy forward while creating job opportunities for other Canadian citizens and permanent residents alike.

Individuals wishing to invest in and manage a Prince Edward Island business can take advantage of the Work Permit stream of business immigration through the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). The PEI Business Impact category currently includes one stream:

Important Updates

As of September 2018, PEI closed two Business Impact streams. Both the PEI 100% Ownership Stream and the PEI Partial Ownership Streams have been closed. These programs are not expected to open in the near future.

PEI Work Permit

The PEI Work Permit stream provides eligible applicants with the opportunity to come to PEI on a temporary work permit to establish a business. Once the business has been in operation for at least one year, the applicant will receive a provincial nomination for permanent residency.

PEI Business Impact Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the eligibility requirements outlined by PEI PNP, they will be able to create a profile in the Expression of Interest (EOI) system. An applicant’s profile will be awarded up to 200 assessment points based on their age, language, education, business ownership or management experience, community endorsement, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorMax Points
Age20
Language40
Education20
Business ownership or senior management experience50
Community endorsement35
Adaptability35
Maximum Points200

Age

 
AgePoints
21-247
25-2920
30-4420
45-4915
50-547
Over 540
Maximum20

Language Proficiency

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchPoints
CLB/NCLC 1040
CLB/NCLC 940
CLB/NCLC 835
CLB/NCLC 730
CLB/NCLC 620
CLB/NCLC 510
CLB/NCLC 40
Maximum40

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints (20 max)
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level20
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study17
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study12
High school0
Maximum20

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
Business Ownership Experience
Owner (50% or more) and manager involved in the daily operations and have direct involvement in decision-makingAt least 5 out of the last 7 years50
At least 3 out of the last 5 years40
Owner (20-50%) and manager involved in the daily operations and have direct involvement in decision-makingAt least 5 out of the last 7 years35
At least 3 out of the last 5 years25
Senior Management Experience
Senior Manager involved in daily operations as a primary decision maker and supervising a staff of at least 3 people. Less than 20% ownership in the companyAt least 5 out of the last 7 years30
At least 3 out of the last 5 years20
Maximum points50

Community Endorsement

 
Community EndorsementPoints
Received written endorsement from a rural community35
Received written endorsement from a community within capital region10
Maximum35

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilityPoints
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months10
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner successfully graduated from a PEI post-secondary institution5
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French10
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		5
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months10
The applicant has experience farming, transferrable farming skills and plan to operate a farm in PEI10
Maximum35

PEI Business Impact Recent Draws

Individuals wishing to get their feet wet with the realities of living and operating a business in PEI may take advantage of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Program (PEI PNP) Work Permit Stream.

Successful applicants will be issued a temporary work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) so that they may begin their Canadian entrepreneurial journey prior to being granted provincial nomination, and, subsequently, Canadian permanent residence.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership and management
Investment RequirementInvestment: $150,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $600,000 CAD

Language Proficiency

To be eligible for the PEI Work Permit stream, candidates must provide official language test results demonstrating language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.  

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed at least secondary school education.  

 

Work Experience

Since the Work Permit stream is a Business Impact immigration program, candidates must have work experience that demonstrates management skills and business ownership experience.  

 

Investment Requirement

Candidates for the Work Permit stream must have a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD. They must come to Canada on a work permit and operate a business for at least one year before they will receive a provincial nomination for permanent residence. Candidates must sign a performance agreement with the province.

Did you know?

Performance Agreement: A performance agreement is an agreement signed with PEI that outlines the conditions under the candidate will receive a nomination for permanent residence.

PEI will issue a provincial nomination to the candidate if the following conditions are met:

  • Invest at least $150,000 CAD in the business;
  • Maintain a residence and actively manage the business from within PEI;
  • Operate the business for at least 12 consecutive months, and;
  • Provide financial statements that detail at least $75,000 CAD in eligible operating expenses.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 21 and 59 years old to be eligible to apply to this stream.  

 

Intention to Reside

Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in PEI.

Application Procedure

The PEI Work Permit stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a profile to PEI’s pool of candidates. All of the candidates in the pool will then be ranked against each other based on the PEI Business Impact Category Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit an application to the stream in one of the category’s periodic draws.

If they are selected in one of these draws, the candidate has 90 days to prepare and submit a complete application, including a business plan. The application fee for PEI Business Impact Category streams is $10,000 CAD. If this application is approved, the candidate will be invited to attend an interview with PEI’s Office of Immigration to discuss their background, work experience, education, proposed business, and settlement plan. If the business plan and application are approved, the candidate must submit a legal opinion letter from a Canadian lawyer stating that the application meets the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Once the legal opinion letter is received, the candidate will be issued a letter of support for a work permit. After receiving a letter of support, the candidate must apply for a temporary work permit from IRCC. If this application is successful, the candidate will be issued a work permit authorizing them to enter and work temporarily in Canada. Candidates are required to meet with a Settlement Officer within 30 days of landing in Canada as a temporary foreign worker to remain in compliance with their performance agreement and be nominated for permanent residence.

Once all of the conditions of the performance agreement have been met, the candidate will be issued a provincial nomination from PEI. After receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Business Impact Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the eligibility requirements outlined by PEI PNP, they will be able to create a profile in the Expression of Interest (EOI) system. An applicant’s profile will be awarded up to 200 assessment points based on their age, language, education, business ownership or management experience, community endorsement, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorMax Points
Age20
Language40
Education20
Business ownership or senior management experience50
Community endorsement35
Adaptability35
Maximum Points200

Age

 
AgePoints
21-247
25-2920
30-4420
45-4915
50-547
Over 540
Maximum20

Language Proficiency

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchPoints
CLB/NCLC 1040
CLB/NCLC 940
CLB/NCLC 835
CLB/NCLC 730
CLB/NCLC 620
CLB/NCLC 510
CLB/NCLC 40
Maximum40

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints (20 max)
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level20
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study17
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study12
High school0
Maximum20

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
Business Ownership Experience
Owner (50% or more) and manager involved in the daily operations and have direct involvement in decision-makingAt least 5 out of the last 7 years50
At least 3 out of the last 5 years40
Owner (20-50%) and manager involved in the daily operations and have direct involvement in decision-makingAt least 5 out of the last 7 years35
At least 3 out of the last 5 years25
Senior Management Experience
Senior Manager involved in daily operations as a primary decision maker and supervising a staff of at least 3 people. Less than 20% ownership in the companyAt least 5 out of the last 7 years30
At least 3 out of the last 5 years20
Maximum points50

Community Endorsement

 
Community EndorsementPoints
Received written endorsement from a rural community35
Received written endorsement from a community within capital region10
Maximum35

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilityPoints
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months10
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner successfully graduated from a PEI post-secondary institution5
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French10
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		5
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months10
The applicant has experience farming, transferrable farming skills and plan to operate a farm in PEI10
Maximum35

PEI Business Impact Recent Draws

Skilled workers and recent graduates wishing to permanently settle in PEI can take advantage of one of several Labour Impact streams of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Program (PEI PNP).

These programs give prospective immigrants who have a job offer from a PEI employer the opportunity to take advantage of an accelerated path to permanent residency. The PEI Labour Impact category includes three streams:

  • PEI Skilled Workers
    • Skilled Workers in PEI
    • Skilled Workers Outside Canada
  • PEI Critical Worker
  • PEI International Graduate

PEI Skilled Worker

Workers with relevant experience in skilled occupations and have been hired or identified by a PEI employer can receive provincial nomination through one of the PEI Skilled Worker streams. The Skilled Workers in PEI stream is for candidates currently working in the province of PEI. Eligible candidates outside of PEI may be able to apply to the PEI Skilled Workers Outside of Canada stream.

  • Skilled Workers in PEI
  • Skilled Workers Outside Canada

PEI Critical Worker

Workers in low-skilled occupations who have worked on a full-time basis for at least six months with a PEI employer may be eligible for provincial nomination through the PEI Critical Worker stream. Applicants must have experience as a truck driver, labourer, customer service agent, hospitality worker, or housekeeper.

PEI International Graduate

Recent graduates from recognized PEI post-secondary institutions who have received a full-time, permanent job offer in a skilled occupation and hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit may be eligible for the PEI International Graduate stream.

PEI Labour Impact Category Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the Skilled Worker in PEI eligibility requirements, they will need to create a profile in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Applicants will be awarded up to 100 points based on their age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorSkilled WorkerCritical WorkerInternational Graduate
Age151525
Language2020N/A
Education151535
Work experience2020N/A
Employment151520
Adaptability151520
Maximum Points100100100

Age

 
AgeSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
18-2477107
25-4415152515
45-4910101510
Over 490000
Maximum151525

15

Language

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
Employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration2020N/A
CLB/NCLC 10202020
CLB/NCLC 9202020
CLB/NCLC 8171717
CLB/NCLC 7151515
CLB/NCLC 6101010
CLB/NCLC 5555
CLB/NCLC 4000
Maximum202020

Education

 
Level of EducationSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level15153510
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study12122010
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study10102010
High schoolN/AN/AN/A15
Maximum15153515

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
6 or more years202020
4-6 years151515
2-4 years101010
Up to 2 years000
Maximum202020

Employment

 
EmploymentSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Working in a permanent full-time position in PEI with a valid work permit5N/A55
Job offer in PEI related to field of study10101010
Foreign qualification with the regulated body in PEI. (Not an ECA)5555
One year or more of continuous full-time work experience in PEI5555
Maximum15152015

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilitySkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French5555
The applicant currently owns residential property in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant graduated from a recognized PEI post-secondary institution5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		5555
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months55N/A5
Maximum15152015

PEI Labour Impact and Express Entry Recent Draws

The Skilled Worker in PEI stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Program (PEI PNP) welcomes foreign workers currently employed in PEI to apply for provincial nomination for a fast-tracked path to permanent residence in order to fill the high demand for skilled positions that cannot currently be met through the local labour force.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceNOC 0, A, or B
2 years
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to Prince Edward Island

To be eligible for the Skilled Worker in PEI stream, candidates have to be living and working in PEI on a valid work permit. Skilled workers not living in Canada may be eligible for the Skilled Worker Outside of PEI or PEI Express Entry streams.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in PEI. The position must be classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates need to demonstrate that hey have sufficient language proficiency in English or French to be able to perform their job duties. This can be demonstrated through an official language test demonstrating proficiency consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4, a signed language declaration from the employer making the job offer, or documents attesting that the candidate completed their education in English or French.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least completed a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 18 and 59 years old to be eligible to apply to this stream.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 

Intention to Reside

Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in PEI.

Application Procedure

The Skilled Worker in PEI stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a profile to PEI’s pool of candidates. All of the candidates in the pool will then be ranked against each other based on the PEI Labour Impact Category Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a complete application to the stream in one of the category’s periodic draws. Successful candidates will be issued a provincial nomination from PEI.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Labour Impact Category Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the Skilled Worker in PEI eligibility requirements, they will need to create a profile in the PEI Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Applicants will be awarded up to 100 points based on their age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorSkilled WorkerCritical WorkerInternational Graduate
Age151525
Language2020N/A
Education151535
Work experience2020N/A
Employment151520
Adaptability151520
Maximum Points100100100

Age

 
AgeSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
18-2477107
25-4415152515
45-4910101510
Over 490000
Maximum15152515

Language

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
Employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration2020N/A
CLB/NCLC 10202020
CLB/NCLC 9202020
CLB/NCLC 8171717
CLB/NCLC 7151515
CLB/NCLC 6101010
CLB/NCLC 5555
CLB/NCLC 4000
Maximum202020

Education

 
Level of EducationSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level15153510
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study12122010
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study10102010
High schoolN/AN/AN/A15
Maximum15153515

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
6 or more years202020
4-6 years151515
2-4 years101010
Up to 2 years000
Maximum202020

Employment

 
EmploymentSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Working in a permanent full-time position in PEI with a valid work permit5N/A55
Job offer in PEI related to field of study10101010
Foreign qualification with the regulated body in PEI. (Not an ECA)5555
One year or more of continuous full-time work experience in PEI5555
Maximum15152015

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilitySkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French5555
The applicant currently owns residential property in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant graduated from a recognized PEI post-secondary institution5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		5555
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months55N/A5
Maximum15152015

PEI Labour Impact and Express Entry Recent Draws

Foreign workers who are currently outside of Canada and have received an NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 position from an eligible employer may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Worker Outside Canada stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Program (PEI PNP).

The job offer must be approved by the PEI Office of Immigration before a prospective immigrant can submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceNOC 0, A, or B
2 years
Investment RequirementNone

Job Offer

To be eligible, candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in PEI. The position must be classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. The employers making the job offer must have made contact with the PEI immigration office and had the job offer approved.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates need to demonstrate that hey have sufficient language proficiency in English or French to be able to perform their job duties. This can be demonstrated through an official language test demonstrating proficiency consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4, a signed language declaration from the employer making the job offer, or documents attesting that the candidate completed their education in English or French.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least completed a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 18 and 59 years old to be eligible to apply to this stream.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 

Intention to Reside

Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in PEI.

Application Procedure

The Skilled Worker Outside Canada stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a profile to PEI’s pool of candidates. All of the candidates in the pool will then be ranked against each other based on the PEI Labour Impact Category Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a complete application to the stream in one of the category’s periodic draws. Successful candidates will be issued a provincial nomination from PEI.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Labour Impact Category Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the eligibility requirements for this stream of provincial nomination, they will need to create a profile in the PEI EOI system. Applicants will be awarded up to 100 assessment points based on their age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorSkilled WorkerCritical WorkerInternational Graduate
Age151525
Language2020N/A
Education151535
Work experience2020N/A
Employment151520
Adaptability151520
Maximum Points100100100

Age

 
AgeSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
18-2477107
25-4415152515
45-4910101510
Over 490000
Maximum15152515

Language

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
Employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration2020N/A
CLB/NCLC 10202020
CLB/NCLC 9202020
CLB/NCLC 8171717
CLB/NCLC 7151515
CLB/NCLC 6101010
CLB/NCLC 5555
CLB/NCLC 4000
Maximum202020

Education

 
Level of EducationSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level15153510
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study12122010
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study10102010
High schoolN/AN/AN/A15
Maximum15153515

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
6 or more years202020
4-6 years151515
2-4 years101010
Up to 2 years000
Maximum202020

Employment

 
EmploymentSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Working in a permanent full-time position in PEI with a valid work permit5N/A55
Job offer in PEI related to field of study10101010
Foreign qualification with the regulated body in PEI. (Not an ECA)5555
One year or more of continuous full-time work experience in PEI5555
Maximum15152015

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilitySkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French5555
The applicant currently owns residential property in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant graduated from a recognized PEI post-secondary institution5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		5555
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months55N/A5
Maximum15152015

Labour Impact and Express Entry Recent Draws

Foreign workers with at least two years of relevant experience in semi-skilled and unskilled occupations may be eligible to apply for the Critical Worker stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceWork Experience
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceNOC C or D
2 years
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to PEI

To be eligible, candidates must have worked in PEI for a minimum of six months for the PEI employer making the job offer. The candidate must have a valid work permit authorizing them to work for the PEI employer.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must have a permanent, full-time job offer from their current PEI employer. The job offer must be in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level C or D occupation.

 

Language Proficiency

All candidates must have official language test results demonstrating proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least completed secondary school.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least two years of work experience or education relevant to their job offer in the past five years.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 18 and 59 years old to be eligible to apply to this stream.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 

Intention to Reside

Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in PEI.

Application Procedure

The Critical Worker stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a profile to PEI’s pool of candidates. All of the candidates in the pool will then be ranked against each other based on the PEI Labour Impact Category Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a complete application to the stream in one of the category’s periodic draws. Successful candidates will be issued a provincial nomination from PEI.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Labour Impact Category Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the eligibility requirements for the PEI PNP Critical Worker stream, they may create a profile in the PEI EOI system. Applicants will be awarded up to 100 assessment points based on their age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorSkilled WorkerCritical WorkerInternational Graduate
Age151525
Language2020N/A
Education151535
Work experience2020N/A
Employment151520
Adaptability151520
Maximum Points100100100

Age

 
AgeSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
18-2477107
25-4415152515
45-4910101510
Over 490000
Maximum15152515

Language

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
Employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration2020N/A
CLB/NCLC 10202020
CLB/NCLC 9202020
CLB/NCLC 8171717
CLB/NCLC 7151515
CLB/NCLC 6101010
CLB/NCLC 5555
CLB/NCLC 4000
Maximum202020

Education

 
Level of EducationSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level15153510
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study12122010
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study10102010
High schoolN/AN/AN/A15
Maximum15153515

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
6 or more years202020
4-6 years151515
2-4 years101010
Up to 2 years000
Maximum202020

Employment

 
EmploymentSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Working in a permanent full-time position in PEI with a valid work permit5N/A55
Job offer in PEI related to field of study10101010
Foreign qualification with the regulated body in PEI. (Not an ECA)5555
One year or more of continuous full-time work experience in PEI5555
Maximum15152015

Adaptability

 
AdapdabilitySkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
The applicant has a close relative that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and/or their dependent children have a language ability of CLB 6 or higher in English or French5555
The applicant currently owns residential property in PEI for at least 12 consecutive months5555
The applicant graduated from a recognized PEI post-secondary institution5555
The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner has at least 3 years of work
experience in the last 5 years		5555
The applicant’s dependent children have been enrolled in a PEI educational institution for a minimum of 6 consecutive months55N/A5
Maximum15152015

PEI Labour Impact and Express Entry Recent Draws

Recent graduates from an approved PEI post-secondary institution who are currently working in the province with a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit can take advantage of the International Graduate program.

This stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) provides a quicker path to Canadian permanent residence in exchange for filling high-skilled positions in PEI’s job market.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyNo minimum
Level of EducationPost-secondary
Work ExperienceEmployed in PEI
NOC 0, A, or B
6 months
Investment RequirementNone

Connection to PEI

To be eligible for the PEI International Graduate stream, candidates must have graduated from a minimum two-year program at a publicly-funded post-secondary institution in PEI. Candidates must also have been working in PEI for at least six months in a position that is directly related to their PEI post-secondary education.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from their current PEI employer. The job offer must be for a position classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.

 

Language Proficiency

While there is no minimum language proficiency to meet the eligibility requirements for this stream, candidates must have sufficient ability to communicate in English or French.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed a minimum two-year post-secondary program in PEI.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least six months of experience working in PEI.

 

Age

Candidates must be between 18 and 59 years old to be eligible to apply to this stream.

 

Settlement Funds

Candidates must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 

Intention to Reside

Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in PEI.

Application Procedure

The International Graduate stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a profile to PEI’s pool of candidates. All of the candidates in the pool will then be ranked against each other based on the PEI Labour Impact Category Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a complete application to the stream in one of the category’s periodic draws. Successful candidates will be issued a provincial nomination from PEI.

After receiving a provincial nomination, an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Labour Impact Category Ranking System

If a candidate meets all of the eligibility requirements for this stream of PEI PNP, they may create a profile in the Expression of Interest system where they will be awarded up to 100 assessment points based on their age, language, education, work experience, employment, and adaptability.

Overview of Factors

FactorSkilled WorkerCritical WorkerInternational Graduate
Age151525
Language2020N/A
Education151535
Work experience2020N/A
Employment151520
Adaptability151520
Maximum Points100100100

Age

 
AgeSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
18-2477107
25-4415152515
45-4910101510
Over 490000
Maximum15152515

Language

 
Proficiency in English or FrenchSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
Employer signed PEI PNP-L06 Employer Language Declaration2020N/A
CLB/NCLC 10202020
CLB/NCLC 9202020
CLB/NCLC 8171717
CLB/NCLC 7151515
CLB/NCLC 6101010
CLB/NCLC 5555
CLB/NCLC 4000
Maximum202020

Education

 
Level of EducationSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) level15153510
Post-secondary degree – program of at least 3 years of full-time study12122010
Post-secondary diploma in a trade that requires at least 2 years of full-time study10102010
High schoolN/AN/AN/A15
Maximum15153515

Work Experience

 
Work ExperienceSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEICritical Worker
6 or more years202020
4-6 years151515
2-4 years101010
Up to 2 years000
Maximum202020

Employment

 
EmploymentSkilled Worker in PEISkilled Worker Outside PEIInternational GraduateCritical Worker
Working in a permanent full-time position in PEI with a valid work permit5N/A55
Job offer in PEI related to field of study10101010
Foreign qualification with the regulated body in PEI. (Not an ECA)5555
One year or more of continuous full-time work experience in PEI5555
Maximum15152015

PEI Labour Impact and Express Entry Recent Draws

Located in Western Canada’s prairie region, the province of Saskatchewan is one of the hubs of agricultural production in Canada. Rich in farmlands, the province hosts two major Canadian cities, Regina and Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas which will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, workers with job offers, and entrepreneurs. The province operates several immigration streams divided among three categories:

  • Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker
  • Saskatchewan Experience
  • Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker encompasses three immigration streams designed to target skilled workers who have the ability to join Saskatchewan’s work force and adapt easily to life in the province. Some streams prioritize workers who have experience in sectors experiencing labour shortages, while other streams target workers with employment offers from Saskatchewan employers.

  • Saskatchewan Express Entry
  • Saskatchewan Employment Offer
  • Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupation

Saskatchewan Experience

Saskatchewan Experience encompasses five immigration streams designed to target workers who have already gained employment experience in Saskatchewan. As well, workers in these streams must have an offer of employment from a Saskatchewan employer to continue working in the province. Certain streams prioritize workers with experience in certain sectors which are experiencing labour shortages in the province.

  • Saskatchewan Existing Work Permit
  • Saskatchewan Health Professionals
  • Saskatchewan Hospitality Sector Project
  • Saskatchewan Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
  • Saskatchewan Students

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm is a collection of two immigration streams designed for individuals with business management experience who wish to launch a new business endeavour in Saskatchewan. The entrepreneurial stream is for general entrepreneurs with business proposals in a range of sectors, while the farm owner and operator stream is designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the farming sector.

  • Saskatchewan Entrepreneur
  • Saskatchewan Farm Owners and Operators

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker is a collection of immigration streams of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker encompasses three immigration streams which target foreign nationals who have skilled work experience and who meet the unique needs and requirements to fill gaps in Saskatchewan’s labour force.

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker includes the following streams:

  • Saskatchewan Express Entry
  • Saskatchewan Employment Offer
  • Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupation

Applicants who are successful through any of these Saskatchewan streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Saskatchewan. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. Please note that in order to qualify for any of these streams, candidates must score at least 60 points on the SINP Points Assessment Grid.

Saskatchewan Express Entry

Saskatchewan Express Entry is a stream of Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker targeting foreign workers with active profiles in Canada’s Express Entry system. In order to qualify for this stream, the applicant must have at least one year of experience at least one year of experience in an occupation at NOC level “A”, “B” or “0”. The experience will not be eligible if it was completed in an occupation listed on the SINP Excluded Occupation List. The applicant must also score at least 60 points on the SINP Points Assessment Grid.

Saskatchewan Employment Offer

Saskatchewan Employment Offer is a stream of Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker targeting foreign workers who have valid job offers from Saskatchewan employers. In order to qualify, the applicant must meet certain requirements regarding work experience and must score at least 60 points on the SINP Points Assessment Grid.

Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand

Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand is a stream of Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker targeting foreign workers who have work experience in specific occupations. In order to qualify, the applicant must have at least one year of experience in an occupation at NOC level “A”, “B” or “0”. The Occupation will not be eligible if it is listed on the SINP Excluded Occupation List. As well the applicant must be able to claim at least 60 points on the SINP Points Assessment Grid.

Saskatchewan Points Assessment Grid

The SINP Points Assessment Grid is out of 100 points. In order to be eligible for all of the Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker streams a candidate must score a minimum of 60 points. Please note that candidates will be required to submit supporting documentation with their SINP application demonstrating that they have met the 60 point requirement.

Overview of Factors

FactorPoints
Factor 1: Labour Market Success
Education and Training23
Skilled Work Experience10
Language Ability30
Age12
Factor 1 Maximum70
Factor 2: Connection to Saskatchewan and Labour Market
Employment Offer Subcategory – Connection to Saskatchewan30
Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry Subcategories – Connection to Saskatchewan20
Factor 2 Maximum30
Maximum100

Education

 
Education and TrainingPoints
Master’s or Doctorate Degree23
University Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 3 year program)20
Trade Certification (equivalent to Saskatchewan journey person and approved by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Commission)20
Degree, diploma or certificate (minimum 2 year program)15
Degree, diploma or certificate (minimum 1 year program of study, or equivalent to a trade certificate)12
Maximum23

Work Experience

 
Skilled Work ExperiencePoints
a) in the 5 year period prior to application submission date
5 years10
4 years8
3 years6
2 years4
1 year2
b) in the 6-10 year period prior to application submission date
5 years5
4 years4
3 years3
2 years2
less than 1 year0
Maximum15

Language

 
Language AbilityPoints
First language test (English or French) 
CLB 8 and higher20
CLB 718
CLB 616
CLB 514
CLB 412
English or French speaker without language test results0
Maximum20
Second language test (English or French) 
CLB 8 and higher10
CLB 78
CLB 66
CLB 54
CLB 42
Maximum10

Age

 
AgePoints
< 18 years0
18-21 years8
22-34 years12
35-45 years10
46-50 years8
> 50 years0
Maximum12

Connection to Saskatchewan

 
Connection to SaskatchewanPoints
The following points are for the Employment Offer subcategory only:
High skilled employment offer from a Saskatchewan employer30
The following points are for the Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry subcategories only
Close family relative in Saskatchewan (must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Includes parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins.)20
Past work experience in Saskatchewan (minimum of 12 months of work within the past 5 years)5
Past student experience in Saskatchewan (minimum of one full-time academic year of study at a recognized Saskatchewan post-secondary education instution)5
Maximum30

Saskatchewan Excluded Occupations List

In order to qualify for Saskatchewan’s Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry categories, a candidate must have a minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in an occupation at NOC level “A”, “B” or “0”. The occupation will not be eligible if it is listed on the SINP Excluded Occupation List which follows bellow:

SINP Excluded Occupations List

Below is the information regarding recent Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker draws from all categories:

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker – Express Entry Category

 

Saskatchewan Experience is a collection of immigration streams of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Experience encompasses five immigration streams which target foreign nationals who have already gained work experience from a Saskatchewan employer and who hold a valid job offer for permanent employment in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Experience includes the following streams:

  • Saskatchewan Existing Work Permit
  • Saskatchewan Health Professionals
  • Saskatchewan Hospitality Sector Project
  • Saskatchewan Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
  • Saskatchewan Students

Applicants who are successful through any of these Saskatchewan streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Saskatchewan. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Saskatchewan Existing Work Permit

Saskatchewan Existing Work Permit is a stream of Saskatchewan Experience targeting foreign workers who have at least 6 months of experience working in Saskatchewan and who have an offer of employment to continue working in Saskatchewan. In order to qualify, the applicant’s previous experience and job offer must meet certain conditions. As well, the applicant must hold a valid work permit at the time of application.

Saskatchewan Health Professionals

Saskatchewan Health Professionals is a stream of Saskatchewan Experience targeting foreign workers who have at least 6 months of experience working in Saskatchewan and who have an offer of employment to continue working in Saskatchewan. Both the work experience and the job offer must be in the health sector, either as a physician, nurse, or other health professional. As well, the applicant must hold a valid work permit at the time of application.

Saskatchewan Hospitality Sector Project

Saskatchewan Hospitality Sector Project is a stream of Saskatchewan Experience targeting foreign workers who have at least 6 months of experience working in Saskatchewan and who have an offer of employment to continue working in Saskatchewan. Both the work experience and the job offer must be in one of the stream’s in-demand occupations. As well, the applicant must hold a valid work permit at the time of application.

Saskatchewan Long-Haul Truck Driver Project

Saskatchewan Long-Haul Truck Driver Project is a stream of Saskatchewan Experience targeting foreign workers who have at least 6 months of experience working in Saskatchewan and who have an offer of employment to continue working in Saskatchewan. Both the work experience and the job offer must be as a long-haul truck driver (NOC 7511). As well, the applicant must hold a valid work permit at the time of application.

Saskatchewan Students

Saskatchewan Students is a stream of Saskatchewan Experience targeting international students who have recently graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada. Graduates must have at least 6 months of work experience with a Saskatchewan employer and have an offer of employment from a Saskatchewan employer which is related to their field of study. As well, the applicant must hold a valid post-graduation work permit at the time of application.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm is a collection of immigration streams of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm encompasses two immigration streams which target foreign nationals seeking to invest significant amounts of capital in the establishment of new business development in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm includes the following streams:

  • Saskatchewan Entrepreneur
  • Saskatchewan Farm Owners and Operators

Applicants who are successful through either of these Saskatchewan streams will receive an official provincial nomination from Saskatchewan. This provincial nomination makes applicants eligible to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

Entrepreneur

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur is a stream of Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm immigration which targets experienced business owners and business managers who have significant personal net worth and the ability and desire to establish a new business practice in Saskatchewan. Applicants through this stream will be required to invest significant funds and successfully manage the operation of a new business project in Saskatchewan.

Farm Owners and Operators

Saskatchewan Farm Owners and Operators is a stream of Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm immigration. This stream targets foreign nationals with demonstrated experience owning and/or operating a farm and who have significant net worth and the ability and desire to invest in the establishment of a new farm in Saskatchewan. Applicants through this stream will be required to invest significant funds and successfully manage the operation of a new farm in Saskatchewan.

With a population of just over 30,000 people, the Yukon labor market is in express need for foreign skilled workers to fill the high demand for skilled and semi-skilled occupations.

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The Yukon territory operates several immigration streams:

  • Yukon Skilled Worker
  • Yukon Express Entry
  • Yukon Critical Impact Worker
  • Yukon Business Nominee
  • Yukon Community Pilot

Yukon Skilled Worker

The Yukon Skilled Worker stream gives foreign nationals with skilled work experience and a valid job offer from a Yukon employer an opportunity to receive a provincial nomination. Receiving a provincial nomination from this stream allows the candidate to apply directly for Canadian permanent residence from IRCC.

Yukon Express Entry

The Yukon Express Entry stream gives applicants with an active Express Entry profile and a valid job offer from a Yukon employer an opportunity to apply for a provincial nomination from Yukon. This program is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system, enabling successful applicants to receive expedited processing on their immigration applications.

Yukon Critical Impact Worker

The Yukon Critical Impact Worker stream gives qualified workers with semi-skilled work experience and a valid job offer from a Yukon employer an opportunity to receive a provincial nomination. Receiving a provincial nomination from this stream allows the candidate to apply directly for Canadian permanent residence from IRCC.

Yukon Business Nominee

The Yukon Business Nominee stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for individuals with business and entrepreneurial experience who are interested in owning and operating a business in the Yukon. Applicants must have a minimum personal net worth of $500,000 CAD, in addition to meeting other program requirements.

Yukon Community Pilot

The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) is a new stream of the Yukon Nominee Program. This pilot was created to address the specific economic and labour market needs of the Yukon. Qualified candidates will be granted a 2-year location-restricted open work permit.

While rich in land and resources, the sprawling Yukon territory is no stranger to labour shortages due to its small population of just over 30,000 people.

The Yukon government opened Yukon Express Entry (YEE) in 2015, a stream of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). YEE is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, meaning applicants must have an active profile in the Express Entry pool to be eligible. Individuals who meet the requirements for YEE and have an intent to live and work in the Yukon may be eligible to receive a Yukon provincial nomination. Successful applicants may claim 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points on their Express Entry profile, and may receive expedited permanent residence processing in order to quickly and efficiently integrate into Yukon life and workforce.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileYes
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencySee Express Entry requirements
Level of EducationSee Express Entry requirements
Work ExperienceSee Express Entry requirements
Investment RequirementNone

Express Entry Requirement

Yukon Express Entry is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. To be eligible for the stream, candidates must have an active profile in the Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the Express Entry pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7.
  • Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience in the last three years. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level 0 or A and CLB 5 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level B.
  • Federal Skilled Trades has no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French at CLB Level 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

 

Job Offer

Candidates must also have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Yukon employer.

 

Settlement Funds

All candidates for the Yukon Express Entry stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 

Employer Requirements

To be eligible to make a valid job offer to a foreign worker for the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), the Yukon employer must meet certain requirements.

 

Job Offer Requirement

The employer must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards.

 

Business Requirements

The Yukon business must have been operating in Yukon for at least one year. If the business is a non-profit organization, the business must have been in operation for at least three years, and must have secured funding for at least one year following the application to the YNP. The business must also have current and valid licenses to operate in Yukon.

 

Recruitment Requirements

The employer must demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to recruit a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering the position to a foreign national. Employers must meet specific advertising requirements, including advertising the position for at least four (4) weeks in at least two local and one national recruitment mediums.

Application Procedure

The Yukon Express Entry stream is open to new applications at any time. To apply to the stream, eligible candidates must create an Express Entry profile. Once they have received a valid job offer from an employer, both the candidate and the employer must submit documentation to support their eligibility claims. Applications submitted to the YNP are generally processed within eight to ten weeks.

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a nomination from Yukon to apply for permanent residence. The applicant will also receive a letter of support for a temporary work permit, which the applicant can use to apply to IRCC for a work permit so they can begin working in Yukon while their application for permanent residence is processed. Note that applying for a temporary work permit represents a separate application.

The applicant must accept the nomination from Yukon on their Express Entry profile. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

Designed to fill important gaps within the Yukon workforce, the Skilled Worker stream of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) gives employers the opportunity to nominate skilled foreign nationals for permanent residence in Canada.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 7 for NOC 0 and A
CLB 5 for NOC B
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceNOC 0, A, or B
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Both the applicant and the employer must meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the Yukon Nominee Skilled Worker program.

 

Applicant Requirements

Job Offer

To be eligible for the Yukon Skilled Worker stream, candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Yukon employer. The job offer must be in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates must have official language test results that demonstrate sufficient language proficiency in English or French to perform the job they have been offered. Candidates with a job offer at NOC skill level 0 or A must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7. Candidates with a job offer at NOC skill level B must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to CLB level 5.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school level education, and any education required to perform the job they have been offered.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in a position related to the job they have received from the Yukon employer.

 

Employer Requirements

To be eligible to make a valid job offer to a foreign worker for the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), the Yukon employer must meet certain requirements.

 

Job Offer Requirement

The employer must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards.

 

Business Requirements

The Yukon business must have been operating in Yukon for at least one year. If the business is a non-profit organization, the business must have been in operation for at least three years, and must have secured funding for at least one year following the application to the YNP. The business must also have current and valid licenses to operate in Yukon.

 

Recruitment Requirements

The employer must demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to recruit a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering the position to a foreign national. Employers must meet specific advertising requirements, including advertising the position for at least four (4) weeks in at least two local and one national recruitment mediums.

Application Procedure

The Yukon Skilled Worker stream is open to new applications at all times. Eligible candidates and Yukon employers must prepare a complete application to the program together. The employer must then submit the application for a provincial nomination. Applications submitted to the YNP are generally processed within eight to ten weeks.

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a nomination from Yukon to apply for permanent residence. The applicant will also receive a letter of support for a temporary work permit, which the applicant can use to apply to IRCC for a work permit so they can begin working in Yukon while their application for permanent residence is processed. Note that applying for a temporary work permit represents a separate application.

After receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) Critical Impact Worker stream gives employers the chance to nominate workers with experience in occupations classified as low-skilled for Canadian permanent residence.

This program is designed to help fill the Yukon’s labor shortages with foreign workers who possess the necessary experience in low-skilled or semi-skilled occupations.

Program Requirements

 

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferYes
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceNOC C or D
6 months
Investment RequirementNone

Both the applicant and the employer must meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the Yukon Nominee Skilled Worker program.

 

Applicant Requirements

Job Offer

To be eligible for the Yukon Skilled Worker stream, candidates must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Yukon employer. The job offer must be in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level C or D.

 

Language Proficiency

Candidates must have official language test results that demonstrate sufficient language proficiency in English or French to perform the job they have been offered. Candidates with a job offer at NOC skill level C or D must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school level education, and any education required to perform the job they have been offered.

 

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least six months of work experience in a position related to the job they have received from the Yukon employer.

 

Employer Requirements

To be eligible to make a valid job offer to a foreign worker for the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), the Yukon employer must meet certain requirements.

 

Job Offer Requirement

The employer must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards.

 

Business Requirements

The Yukon business must have been operating in Yukon for at least one year. If the business is a non-profit organization, the business must have been in operation for at least three years, and must have secured funding for at least one year following the application to the YNP. The business must also have current and valid licenses to operate in Yukon.

 

Recruitment Requirements

The employer must demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to recruit a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering the position to a foreign national. Employers must meet specific advertising requirements, including advertising the position for at least four (4) weeks in at least two local and one national recruitment mediums.

Application Procedure

The Yukon Critical Worker stream is open to new applications at all times. Eligible candidates and Yukon employers must prepare a complete application to the program together. The employer must then submit the application for a provincial nomination. Applications submitted to the YNP are generally processed within eight to ten weeks.

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a nomination from Yukon to apply for permanent residence. The applicant will also receive a letter of support for a temporary work permit, which the applicant can use to apply to IRCC for a work permit so they can begin working in Yukon while their application for permanent residence is processed. Note that applying for a temporary work permit represents a separate application.

After receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

The Yukon is seeking individuals with proven entrepreneurial and business skills to operate their own businesses to help bolster the northern territory’s economy. All those applying under the Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) must desire to own and operate a business within Yukon.

Applicants who are nominated will receive a letter of support for a two year work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While on this work permit, the applicant can establish themselves and their business in the Yukon. Following this two-year period, the applicant will receive support from the territory to apply for permanent residence with IRCC, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Program Requirements

Requirement 
Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 4
Level of EducationHigh school
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership and/or management
5 years
Investment RequirementInvestment: $300,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $500,000 CAD

Language Proficiency

To be eligible for the Yukon Business Nominee stream, candidates must have official language test scores showing proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.

Work Experience

Since this is a business immigration stream, candidates must demonstrate that they have enough business ownership or management experience to successfully establish and run a business in Yukon. Candidates must have at least three (3) years of entrepreneurial or business management experience, and at least five (5) years of related work experience.

Investment Requirement

Candidates must demonstrate a personal net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. As well, successful applicants must invest a minimum of $300,000 CAD in a Yukon business which they will establish and manage. The candidate must own at least one-third (33.33%) of the Yukon business.

The business must also be in one of the Yukon’s strategic sectors, and must not be in an ineligible industry.

Eligible candidates will be invited to sign a business performance agreement with Yukon that outlines the conditions under which the candidate will receive a provincial nomination.

Points Assessment Grid

Candidates must score at least 65 points on the Yukon Business Nominee points assessment grid.

Application Procedure

The Yukon Business Nominee stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Eligible candidates must register with the Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP). This registration includes submitting a business proposal. If the business proposal meets the program criteria, the applicant will join a pool of applicants.

The YBNP selects candidates from this pool and invites them to submit a complete application to the stream. Note that the YBNP does not disclose the criteria they use to select applicants, how many applicants are selected, nor how frequently.

If the complete application is approved, the applicant will then need to attend an in-person interview in Yukon. Following a successful interview, the candidate will be issued a letter of support for a two-year temporary work permit from the YBNP. The applicant will then need to use this letter of support to apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit.

If this application is successful, the applicant must then travel to the Yukon and establish themselves, their family, and their business. If the applicant successfully establishes the business and meets all of the conditions of the performance agreement, Yukon will issue them a nomination for permanent residence.

After receiving a nomination, the applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

Yukon Business Nominee Assessment Grid

FactorMax Points
Investment Value12
Liquid Assets8
Prior Visits8
Entrepreneurial and/or Management Experience10
Education20
Personal Net Worth8
Age10
Language12
Work Experience10
Location of Proposed Business5
Minimum Pass Score65

Investment Value

 
Investment ValuePoints
$300,000 to $400,0006
$401,000 to $750,0008
$750,000 +12
Maximum12

Liquid Assets

 
Liquid AssetsPoints
$300,000 to $450,0006
$451,000 +8
Maximum8

Prior Visits

 
Prior VisitsPoints
3 to 6 days4
7 to 10 days6
11 days or more8
Maximum8

Entrepreneurial Experience

 
Years of Entrepreneurial or Management ExperiencePoints
3 to 5 years8
6 years or more10
Maximum10

Education

 
Level of EducationPoints
High School10
1 year of post-secondary education12
2 years of post-secondary education16
Bachelors Degree18
Masters or Ph.D20
Maximum20

Personal Net Worth

 
Personal Net WorthPoints
$500,000 to $750,0006
$751,000 +8
Maximum8

Age

 
AgePoints
21-4910
50-518
52-536
54-554
56+0
Maximum10

Language

 
Language AbilitiesPoints
Less than IELTS 4 / CELPIP 4 / TEF 30
IELTS 4-6 / CELPIP 4-7 / TEF 3-48
IELTS 7+ / CELPIP 8+ / TEF 5+12
Maximum12

Work Experience

 
Work ExperiencePoints
5-7 years8
8 + years10
Maximum10

Location of Business

 
Location of Proposed BusinessPoints
In Whitehorse and surrounding areas0
In a rural community5
Maximum5

Strategic Sectors

Strategic Sectors

 
Strategic Sectors
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Value-added Processing
Forestry
Tourism Products, Attractions, Services and Facilities
Energy
Mining or Mineral Development
Agriculture
Cultural Industries
Film and Video Production

Conversely, the business must not belong to any of the following sectors:

Ineligible Sectors

 
Ineligible Sectors
Passive investments
Retail, wholesale, or distribution operations
Restaurants
Financial services
Business, consultation and personal services
Most professional services
Real estate
Holding companies
Gas stations

The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) is a new stream of the Yukon Nominee Program. This pilot was created to address the specific economic and labour market needs of the Yukon.

The Yukon needs skilled workers to meet the specific labour needs of its economy. Over the next three years, the Yukon government will issue invitations to skilled workers through the Yukon Community Pilot program in an attempt to fill gaps in the job market and recruit top tier talent to this northern territory. Qualified candidates will be granted a 2-year location-restricted open work permit.

Program Requirements

To qualify for the work permit, you must:

  1. Have 2 or 3 eligible job offers:

    • All in the same participating Yukon community
    • Adding up to at least 30 hours of work a week (equal to a full-time job)
    • They must be non-seasonal
      • In general, this means you have consistent and regularly scheduled paid employment throughout the year
    • The wage must meet or exceed the minimum wage
    • Your experience must show that you can perform the duties required by the jobs

  2. Have a signed letter of support from the Government of Yukon

  3. Meet the general requirements for a work permit

Documents Required

  • a copy of the nomination letter from the Government of Yukon confirming that you’ve been nominated for permanent residence
  • a signed letter of support from the Government of Yukon stating:
    that the employers who are offering you the jobs need you to work in the community as soon as possible, that the job offers are genuine, and the details of the job offers, including names of the employers occupation number of hours job locations

Application Procedure

You must apply online for the work permit. You can’t apply on paper.

The application forms and process you need to follow depend on where you’re applying from.

Quebec operates a number of different immigration programs enabling eligible candidates to secure Canadian permanent residence. The federal government has granted the province of Quebec significantly more autonomy in immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration programs are often treated separately from other provinces’.

Quebec is the only province in Canada whose only official language is French. For this reason, some of Quebec’s immigration programs require proficiency or offer preference to individuals proficient in French. However, there are also pathways available for non-French speakers who wish to immigrate to the province.

Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)

Quebec immigration applications are approved through two separate processes: selection and admission. Selection occurs at the provincial level, while admission occurs at the federal level. To immigrate to Quebec, an applicant must meet the requirements for both selection and admission. In the selection step of the process, a foreign national must obtain approval from the province of Quebec itself.

Selection is demonstrated through a certificat de sélection du Québec (Quebec Selection Certificate – CSQ), which is a document issued by the provincial immigration authorities following a successful application through one of Quebec’s immigration programs.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW)

The Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW) is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence. As a skilled worker program, all applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum amount of skilled work experience. QSW is a points-based immigration program, meaning applicants must meet a minimum score on a points assessment grid in order to be eligible.

This program does not require that an applicant be proficient in French to apply, but French proficiency may lead to an increased score on the points assessment grid.

Eligible candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the online Arrima portal to be considered for this program.

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is one of Quebec’s immigration pathways to permanent residence. The program requires that candidates have experience in the province of Quebec, either as a temporary foreign worker or an international student. PEQ applicants must demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French. There are additional eligibility requirements for this program, including that the applicant be legally residing in Quebec at the time the application is submitted and processed.

Quebec Investor Program

In order to apply to the Quebec Investor Program, applicants must have net assets totalling at least $2 million CAD and the ability to invest at least $1.2 million CAD with a Quebec financial intermediary. Applicants who fit these criteria may be eligible to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the Quebec Investor Program.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity along with the experience and intention to manage a business project in Quebec or to acquire a business in Quebec.

Quebec Self-Employed

The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows certain self-employed people to immigrate to Quebec and create their own job. In order to qualify for this program, an applicant needs to have net assets of at least $100,000 CAD and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the field they plan to practice in Quebec. 

Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)

A number of Quebec’s temporary resident programs require a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate – CAQ), to authorize temporary stay in Quebec. This includes the majority of study programs for international students. NOTE: A CAQ authorizes temporary stay in the Province of Quebec. Not to be confused with a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which authorizes permanent stay in the province.

Validated Job Offer

If a Quebec employer wishes to hire a foreign national, they may be eligible to extend the foreign national a job offer which has been officially validated by MIDI. A validated job offer is a strong advantage in the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program as it gives its holder either 8 points (if the job is located in the Montreal region) or 10 points (if the position is located outside the Montreal region).

As well, holders of validated job offers are exempt from the quota requirement for QSW applications, meaning they can apply for a CSQ at any time. To validate the job offer, the position and the foreign national must meet several requirements:

Job Position Requirements:

  • Must be for a permanent, full-time position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, B, or C.
  • Must have a positive or neutral impact on the local labour market.
  • Must be offered, in writing, by a Quebec employer who has been in operation for a minimum of 12 months.
  • Appropriate recruitment efforts must have been made to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position, if applicable (see below)

Foreign National Requirements:

  • Must submit copies of identification documents, educational documents, curriculum vitae (CV), and a written copy of the employment offer.
  • Must have license or certificate to practice in the profession if the profession is regulated in Quebec.
  • If the foreign national is already working for the employer, they must submit a copy of their work permit along with three recent paystubs.

If a foreign national is already working for a Quebec employer on a temporary work permit, the employer does not need to show proof that they attempted to recruit a Canadian or permanent resident for the position. In all other cases, the employer must show proof of recruitment efforts. This means that employers must make significant efforts to hire a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering it to a foreign national. If all requirements for the validated job offer are met, the employer may submit an application for validation to MIDI.

Quebec Immigration FAQ

What is Arrima?

 

Arrima is an online portal launched in 2018 to manage applications to the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. It is an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, so interested candidates can submit an EOI to Arrima to be considered. The Quebec government will then invite select candidates to submit an application to QSW.

What is Mon Project Québec?

 

Mon Projet Québec was the online portal used to manage applications to the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program before the new Arrima portal was launched in 2018. Candidates who had active profiles on Mon Projet Québec can still access their profiles to update personal information, but no new profiles can be created on the system. Candidates with active Mon Projet Québec profiles must also still submit an Expression of Interest under Arrima to be considered for QSW.

Who will be considered as family in Quebec in order to get additional points for this factor?

 

Recognized family members are: spouse, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister, grandfather or grandmother citizens or permanent residents of Quebec.

Can I extend my work permit with my CSQ?

 

Yes, applicants can extend their work permit if they have a valid work permit when they will receive their CSQ. If work permit expires before obtaining CSQ, then the only way to extend their status as workers is with an LMIA.

After a document request from MIDI, are my documents uploaded online or sent by mail?

 

Hard copies of documents are sent by mail.

What can I do with my CSQ?

 

The CSQ does not authorize a person to undertake any activities like work or study. The CSQ is simply the authorization to apply for PR in Canada.

A Canadian permanent resident is someone who has been granted permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada.

A permanent resident enjoys many of the same benefits as a Canadian citizen. However, unlike citizens, they must maintain their status by meeting certain requirements like the residency obligation.

Benefits of Canadian PR status

Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) opens the door to a multitude of advantages, essential for those seeking a new chapter in life. It grants the freedom to live and work anywhere across Canada’s vast and diverse landscape, access to its world-class healthcare and educational systems, and the opportunity for economic prosperity through a variety of career paths.

PR status also paves the way towards Canadian citizenship, allowing for deeper integration into Canada’s multicultural society. Moreover, it includes the ability to sponsor family members, ensuring loved ones can share in the benefits and stability that Canada offers.

For those intrigued by these opportunities, a visit to our page Benefits of Obtaining a Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) will provide a comprehensive understanding of why obtaining Canadian PR is not just a change in legal status, but a gateway to a new realm of possibilities.

 

 

What is a Permanent Residence Card?

A Permanent Residence Card (PR Card) is an official document issued by the Canadian government to individuals who have been granted permanent resident status in Canada. It serves as a proof of their status when they travel in and out of the country.

 

Permanent Residence Card Renewal

Most permanent resident cards are valid for five years, though occasionally PR cards are only valid for one year. The Canadian government encourages permanent residents keep track of their expiration date and apply to renew their Canadian permanent resident card within six months of their card expiring.

What is a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)?

If a permanent resident is outside of Canada and wishes to enter Canada they may apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) if they do not have a valid PR card. The PRTD is usually valid for a single entry to Canada, allowing the permanent resident to enter the country before applying for a PR card, or PR card renewal.

Canadian Permanent Residency Obligations

In order to maintain permanent resident status in Canada, a person must meet a residency obligation. The residency obligation refers to a person’s physical presence inside of Canada for a set amount of time. Canada’s residency obligation for permanent residents requires a person to be physically present inside of Canada for at least 730 days within a five-year period or to fall under one of several exceptions.

From Permanent Resident to Canadian Citizen

Becoming a Canadian Citizen is a significant step for foreign nationals living in Canada. To embark on this journey, individuals must first have valid permanent resident status. This foundational requirement ensures that applicants are legally recognized residents of Canada.

However, the path to citizenship involves more than just maintaining permanent resident status. Permanent residents aspiring to become Canadian citizens face distinct residency obligations, different from those needed for renewing their permanent resident status. These obligations are designed to ensure that applicants have a strong connection to Canada and have spent a considerable amount of time in the country, contributing to its society and understanding its values.

For those interested in learning more about the process and requirements for becoming a Canadian citizen, our guide: How to Get Canadian Citizenship, covers various aspects of the application process, eligibility criteria, and important considerations for prospective applicants. Consulting this resource can be an important step in understanding the pathway to Canadian citizenship and preparing for the journey ahead.

Renouncing permanent resident status

A Canadian permanent resident does not automatically lose their status when their PR card expires. A permanent resident’s status can only be lost through an official process. If a person wants to renounce their permanent resident status, they may submit an application to voluntarily give up their permanent resident status. This may save time during travels if a person knows they have not met their residency obligation and they intend to travel to Canada.

Is permanent residence the same as citizenship?

Canadian permanent residents are not citizens of Canada. Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for a Canadian passport, among other benefits enjoyed by citizens. Unlike Canadian citizens, they are also certain requirements a PR must fulfill to keep their status.

Can Canadian permanent residence be revoked?

The Canadian government may revoke permanent resident status for one of the following reasons:

  • serious criminality;
  • if an individual achieved PR status by means of misrepresentation; or
  • they are unable to meet their residency obligations

How long is Canadian permanent residence valid?

Unlike temporary status in Canada, permanent residence status does not expire. If a Canadian PR continues to meet their residency requirements, and the government does not revoke their status, they will continue to maintain their status as a PR.

Can a permanent resident leave Canada?

A permanent resident can leave Canada at any time but must continue to meet their physical presence obligations.

How can I become a Canadian permanent resident?

There are many immigration pathways that will enable a person to become a Canadian permanent resident. For example, permanent residence can be achieved through economic immigration, business immigration, sponsorship,

The Canadian government issues an official document known as the Permanent Residence Card (PR Card) to individuals recognized as permanent residents in Canada. This card acts as a verification of their status

The Canadian government issues an official document known as the Permanent Residence Card (PR Card) to individuals recognized as permanent residents in Canada. This card acts as a verification of their status, especially during international travel to and from Canada. Key features of the PR Card include:

  1. Proof of Status: The PR Card is used to demonstrate that the individual is a permanent resident of Canada, particularly when re-entering Canada on a commercial vehicle, such as an airplane, boat, train, or bus.
  2. Travel Document: While it is not a travel document in itself, the PR Card is often required for permanent residents who are returning to Canada by commercial transportation. It’s used in conjunction with a passport from their country of origin.
  3. Validity and Renewal: PR Cards typically have a validity period and must be renewed before they expire. The usual validity period is five years, but in some cases, it can be issued for one year.
  4. Residency Obligation: To maintain permanent resident status, individuals need to meet certain residency obligations. The PR Card is a part of ensuring these obligations are met, especially for those who travel outside Canada.
  5. Not a Citizenship Document: It’s important to note that holding a PR Card does not mean the individual is a Canadian citizen; it simply indicates they have the right to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis.

Permanent residents use their PR Card in various situations, particularly for travel purposes, and it’s a crucial step towards eventually applying for Canadian citizenship, should they choose to do so.

Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)

Permanent residents without valid PR cards who are outside of Canada and wish to travel to Canada may apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). The PRTD will facilitate travel to Canada, where the person may apply for a PR card renewal or replacement.

Did you know?

Your permanent resident status does not expire when your PR card expires. A person can only lose their PR status if they go through an official process. Even if you fail to meet the permanent resident residency obligation, your PR status remains in effect until an official decision is made on your status.

Permanent Resident Card Application

New permanent residents do not need to apply for a PR card. They will be automatically mailed a PR card when they immigrate to Canada and determine their Canadian mailing address. Only individuals who meet one of the following criteria must apply for a PR card:

  • You didn’t receive your PR card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada;
  • Your PR card is expired or will expire in less than nine months;
  • Your PR card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or;
  • You legally changed your name and need to update your PR card.

PR card applications must be submitted in hard copy to one of IRCC’s specified Case Processing Centres for PR cards.

Did you know?

The Canadian permanent resident card used to be called the Maple Leaf Card. This is because the card used to include a printed maple leaf, Canada’s national symbol.

PR Card have a Validity Period

The majority of PR cards have a validity period of five years, although a few may be issued for just one year. The expiration date of the card is clearly indicated on it. Once your PR card reaches its expiry date, it no longer serves as a valid travel document. It’s advisable to apply for a renewal of your card if it is set to expire within the next six months.

Urgent Processing

In certain situations, it may be possible for the Canadian government to expedite the processing of a permanent resident card. In order to qualify for urgent permanent resident card processing, you must be travelling within the next three months due to:

  • A job opportunity;
  • Your own serious illness;
  • The death of a family member;
  • Work related to your current job, or;
  • The serious illness of a family member.

It should be noted that even if a person is eligible for urgent processing, the Canadian government cannot guarantee they will process applications urgently or that PR cards will be received on time. It’s therefore advisable to always maintain a valid PR card in case of emergency.

If your PR card is approaching the end of its validity period, and you have not yet applied for Canadian citizenship, you may be interested in applying for a permanent residence card renewal.

It is encouraged for permanent residents of Canada to carry a valid PR card at all times. Not only does the PR card allow a permanent resident to show proof of status, but it also allows a person to freely travel in and out of the country. If a PR card is within 9 months of expiration, or it has already expired, a permanent resident can submit an application for a new PR card.

In order to renew a permanent resident card, an applicant must submit a complete application in hard copy to one of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Case Processing Centres for PR cards. Upon submission, provided that an application is complete and that the permanent resident meets all requirements, a new PR card will be issued.

It should be noted that permanent resident status does not expire when a person’s PR card expires. A person can only lose their PR status if they go through an official process. You can lose your PR status in the following situations:

  • An officer determines you are no longer a permanent resident after an inquiry (including PR card renewal) or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) appeal;
  • You voluntarily renounce your permanent resident status;
  • A removal order is made against you and comes into effect, or;
  • You become a Canadian citizen.

Even if a person fails to meet the permanent resident residency obligation, their PR status remains in effect until an official decision is made on their status.

Any person wishing to enter Canada’s borders must possess a valid travel document. Canadian permanent residents are able to use their permanent resident card (PR card) in order to enter the country. However, if a permanent resident does not have a valid PR card and needs to enter Canada, they may be eligible to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).

Generally, PRTDs are valid for a single entry to Canada, allowing a permanent resident to enter the country before obtaining a new PR card. A permanent resident may only apply for a PR card from inside of Canada, so the PRTD is often necessary to facilitate entry to Canada. A person may apply for a permanent resident travel document if they meet the following criteria:

  • They are a permanent resident of Canada;
  • They do not have a valid PR card showing PR status;
  • They are outside Canada, and;
  • They will return to Canada by airplane, boat, train, or bus.

If a person meets the criteria for a PRTD, they can submit an application. Please note that upon submission of the application, a visa officer will review it to ensure it is complete and that the applicant has met their residency obligations. If the applicant has failed to meet their residency obligations, then their status as a permanent resident may fall into jeopardy. Please note that immigrants from countries requiring a visa to enter Canada who have received their confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) should be issued a travel visa with their COPR. This travel visa allows them to travel to a Canadian Port of Entry (POE) to enter Canada where they can begin the process of obtaining their PR card. It is not necessary for a newly confirmed permanent resident to obtain a PRTD, as the above-mentioned travel visa will be issued to those immigrants who require it.

In order to maintain permanent residence in Canada, a person must meet a residency obligation. The residency obligation refers to a person’s physical presence inside of Canada for a set amount of time.

Canada’s residency obligation for permanent residents requires a person to be physically present inside of Canada for at least 730 days within a five-year period, or to meet one of the following situations:

  • The person is outside of Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen who is their spouse or common-law partner, or the person is a child accompanying their parent;
  • The person is outside of Canada employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a Canadian province;
  • The person is an accompanying spouse, common-law partner, or child of a permanent resident who is outside Canada and is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a Canadian province.

Usually, whether a permanent resident has met their residency obligations is assessed when they are applying for a permanent resident card renewal, permanent resident travel document (PRTD), or Canadian citizenship. Please note that if a person has Canadian permanent residence for more than five years, the residency obligation will be calculated based on the five years prior to the date an application was received by the visa office.

If a person has been a Canadian permanent resident for less than five years, they may be eligible to apply for a permanent resident card renewal or PRTD provided they can demonstrate that they will be able to meet the 730 days physical presence day within the five year period.

Determination of Status

A permanent resident of Canada can only lose their status through a formal determination of status. Any time a permanent resident applies for a PR card renewal or a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), a visa officer will conduct an official determination of status to see if the person has met their residency obligations and has no other barriers from renewal.

Until this formal determination has been completed a person will technically remain a permanent resident of Canada. If a permanent resident is aware that they have not met their residency obligation, they may formally renounce their permanent resident status.

Residency Obligations and Provincial Nominations

Canadian citizens and permanent residents hold the right to live and work in any province in Canada, as found in Section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These rights begin when Canadian permanent residence is activated. It is important to note that while Canadian citizens and permanent residents have constitutionally protected mobility rights, Canadian law determines that immigrants belonging to the provincial nomination class must intend to reside in the province that has nominated them.

If the intention to reside in the selecting province is found never to have been sincere, applicants risk being found guilty of misrepresentation which can result in loss of status and inadmissibility to Canada for five years. Misrepresentation is a criminal offence in Canada, and can have devastating affects on your immigration application and status in Canada. Applicants interested in selection by a Canadian province must show intention to reside in the province upon landing.

The vast majority of newcomers to Canada become residents through economic immigration programs. Canada’s immigration targets for 2018-2020 indicate that nearly 200,000 new economic immigrants will be welcomed to the country each year. This means that there are many opportunities for foreign nationals with the skills needed to fill labour gaps in the Canadian economy.

Economic immigration refers to those immigration programs which aim to positively affect the Canadian economy. The majority of economic immigration programs aim to attract skilled workers to Canada. Skilled workers are able to fill shortages in Canada’s labour force and build lasting careers contributing to the Canadian economy. Skilled worker immigration programs are permanent resident programs, and successful applicants receive Canadian permanent resident status.

Express Entry

Express Entry is the system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage applications to three major federal skilled worker immigration programs.

  1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  2. Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

As well, many provinces operate Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) streams that are aligned with Express Entry. Candidates who are eligible for one of the programs managed by Express Entry must submit a profile to the Express Entry pool.

All Express Entry candidates are then assigned a score based on their profile using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), regardless of the program for which they are eligible. This score is based on various criteria, including age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and connections to Canada. The highest-ranking candidates are issued invitations to apply for permanent residence in periodic Express Entry draws. Once invited, processing times are as fast as 6 months.

Federal Skilled Worker

All Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) candidates must have a minimum of one year of skilled work experience. However, this program does not require a connection to Canada, so it can be an ideal immigration option for foreign nationals living outside of Canada. Please note that the program does have strict eligibility requirements regarding work experience, level of education, age, and language proficiency.

Federal Skilled Trades

In order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, candidates must have at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade. This experience must have been obtained within the previous 5 years. As well, eligible candidates must have either an offer of full-time employment for a position lasting at least 12-months or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade which is issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an economic immigration program which requires some Canadian experience. Candidates must have at least 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience, completed in Canada within the previous 3 years. This program is not an option for foreign nationals who do not possess this Canadian experience.

Provincial Nominee Programs for Skilled Workers

Canada’s provinces and territories operate unique immigration programs designed to meet their individual economic and demographic needs. These are called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Many of these programs target skilled workers who can fill gaps in provincial and territorial workforces, so there are a variety of options for skilled workers.

Quebec Immigration for Skilled Workers

The province of Quebec retains significant autonomy and authority over its immigration policies and procedures, especially when compared to the other provinces and territories. For this reason, Quebec operates its own immigration programs which are outside of the federal Express Entry system.

Applying for permanent residence through the province of Quebec follows a two-step process. First, it is necessary to apply to the Quebec government to receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Once an applicant has a CSQ, they are then able to submit a paper-based application for permanent residence to Canada’s federal immigration authorities. Quebec operates two major permanent residence programs for skilled workers:

  1. Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
  2. Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW)

Quebec Experience Program

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) program requires skilled workers to be living in Quebec and to have 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience completed within Quebec in the previous 2 years. The program has a faster processing time than Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) but it also has stricter eligibility requirements. This program does require applicants to demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French.

Quebec Skilled Worker

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) program may be an option for skilled workers living outside of Quebec, as it does not necessarily require a Quebec connection. The QSW program uses a points grid to assess eligibility for the program and to rank candidates against one another. Interested candidates must submit an electronic Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima Portal. The most competitive candidates will be invited to apply to the program.

Work Permits

Skilled workers who are interested in working in Canada, but are not eligible for an existing immigration program, may be interested in pursuing a temporary work permit. Work experience gained while on a temporary work permit may increase the candidate’s eligibility for permanent residence immigration programs. To obtain a work permit, candidates usually require a job offer from a Canadian employer.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is ideal for candidates who have recent Canadian work experience and are seeking permanent residence Canada. CEC is also one of the fastest routes to Canadian permanent residence, taking as little as three to four months to process! 

 

Find out if you are eligible to apply for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or any other Canadian immigration program today! Take our free online assessment to get started.

What is the Canadian Experience Class program?

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is an immigration stream under the Express Entry system in Canada, specifically designed for certain temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates who have already gained skilled work experience in Canada. This program aims to help these individuals transition from temporary to permanent residence status.

CEC is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates. Applicants who have competitive CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Who is eligible for Canadian Experience Class Program?

In order to be eligible for CEC, a candidate must have at least 12-months of full-time (or an equivalent amount of part-time), skilled work experience in Canada. The Canadian work experience must have been acquired within the previous three years from the date of the application.

CEC is not an option for foreign nationals who do not have recent Canadian work experience.

Canadian Experience Class requirements

To count your 12 months of Canadian work experience towards your CEC application, it must meet the following conditions:

  1. Be obtained in Canada within the 36 months before the date of submission of the electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
  2. Your work experience in Canada can be classified into one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3, based on your training, education, experience, and job essential duties.
  3. Be lawfully obtained, paid work experience in Canada.

An applicant cannot count work experience obtained while engaged in full-time studies in Canada.

In addition to the Canadian experience requirement, CEC has several other eligibility criteria which must be met in order to submit:

  1. Language: Reach a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test for NOC skill level 0 or A jobs. Reach a CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
  2. Residence in Canada: Intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If a candidate fulfills these criteria, they can create an Express Entry profile for the Canadian Experience Class program. However, it’s important to remember that meeting Canada’s fundamental admissibility criteria, including clean criminal records and satisfactory medical conditions, is also essential, as certain offenses or health issues may lead to inadmissibility.

How to calculate your Canadian Experience Class CRS points

Express Entry holds rounds of invitations and invites CEC candidates based on their CRS scores. To calculate your points for CEC, you simply need to use Canadim’s handy CRS calculator tool. 

Can I apply to the Canadian Experience Class program from outside of Canada?

Yes. As long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements for CEC as mentioned above, you can apply from anywhere in the world.  

Is proof of funds required for Canadian Experience Class?

Proof of funds is not a requirement of the CEC program. You will not be required to provide any documentation regarding your finances. 

Does internship experience in Canada count towards my Canadian Experience Class application?

It depends. If your paid internship is not part of your education, then you may count it towards the Express Entry work experience requirement.  

Beyond the CEC: Discover More Paths in Canada’s Express Entry

If you haven’t acquired skilled work experience in Canada or don’t meet the minimum requirements for the CEC program, there are more available options.

The Express Entry program in Canada includes two more immigration streams: the Federal Skilled Workers Program, suited for skilled professionals with foreign work experience, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, designed for skilled tradespeople.

Additionally, Express Entry also offers specific category invitations based on various criteria. The current categories for these targeted invitations include individuals with French-language proficiency, healthcare occupations, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations, trade occupations, transport occupations, and agriculture and agri-food occupations.

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs contained within Canada’s Express Entry system for processing immigration applications. The FSW program allows candidates with foreign work experience and no connections to Canada to apply for permanent residency.

Canada immigration opens numerous opportunities for skilled professionals worldwide, and the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program is a prime gateway for those seeking to contribute their expertise and build a future in Canada.

What is the FSW program?

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates who wish to settle permanently in Canada. Unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, Federal Skilled Workers are not required to have Canadian work experience to enter the Express Entry pool. Instead, candidates must meet a minimum points requirement based on factors such as work experience, language ability, and education. Once in the pool, applicants with the most competitive CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Who is eligible to apply under the FSW program?

In order to qualify for the FSWP, a candidate must meet certain minimum requirements regarding years of experience, level of education, age, and English or French language proficiency:

  • Work Experience
    • At least 12-months of continuous, full-time, skilled work experience completed within the previous 10 years (or an equal amount in part-time experience).
      • Skilled work experience refers to experience classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
  • Language Proficiency
    • Reach a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
  • Education
    • A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in foreign education.
  • Financial Support
    • Enough funds to support themselves and any spouse and/or children in their settlement in Canada.
  • Residence in Canada
    • Must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If a candidate meets the requirements listed above, they must also demonstrate that they score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid.

If a candidate meets these requirements, they will be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile for the program. However, candidates should note that they must meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offences and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.

How can I apply under the FSW program?

Interested candidates must submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submitting an Express Entry profile does not guarantee a candidate will receive Canadian permanent residence. Only after submitting an Express Entry profile will a candidate be assigned a CRS score and be considered in future Express Entry draws for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

When submitting your Express Entry profile, an FSW candidate will need to provide the following documents:

  • Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
    In order to claim points for education, an FSW candidate must provide a valid ECA report attesting to the value of foreign education by Canadian standards. There are five organizations in Canada authorized to issue ECA reports. This is not required for educational credentials obtained from a Canadian educational institution.
  • Language Proficiency Test Results
    All candidates under the Express Entry programs must provide results from an approved language test taken within the previous two years. Accepted tests for English include the IELTS exam, and the CELPIP exam (only available in Canada). Accepted tests for French include the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).
  • Identification Documents
    Candidates will be required to provide information from identification documents. Ideally, a candidate and all accompanying family members should possess passports valid for travel.

If a candidate is successful in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, they will move onto the second stage of the application process. In this second stage, the applicant will have 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). This application requires further documentation.

Since the Express Entry system launched in 2015, the lowest ranking FSW candidate to receive an ITA held a CRS score of 413 points. If an applicant’s CRS score is below this score, they should actively pursue options for improving their score.

How long does it take to process an FSW application?

A Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Express Entry profile will remain valid in the pool of candidates for a period of 12 months.

If, while in the pool of candidates, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to submit a full application and documentation to the Government of Canada.

The standard processing time for Express Entry applications is six months from the time the application is received by the Canadian authorities to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.

Additional factors may affect your processing time, including:

  • The complexity and/or completeness of your application
  • The ease with which the officer can confirm the information provided in your application
  • Adding an additional family member to your application

Am I required to show settlement funds for FSW?

Federal Skilled Workers are required to demonstrate that they can provide for themselves and their families once they settle in Canada.

The funds required for settlement depend on the number of family members included in your application. Please refer to the below table for the amount required for your family size.

Number of Family MembersFunds Required
1$13,757
2$17,127
3$21,055
4$25,564
5$28,994
6$32,700
7$36,407
For each additional family member$3,706
Required amount as of January, 2024

For more information on what is accepted as proof of settlement funds, visit our Settlement Funds page.

If you are not able to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, you can still apply as a Federal Skilled Worker if you first secure an offer of employment from a Canadian company.

What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?

The government processing fees must be remitted when submitting an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker program. These fees are separate from a candidate’s settlement funds, which must be demonstrated as part of the Federal Skilled Worker eligibility requirements.

The processing fees to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program are as follows:

ApplicationProcessing fee in $ CAD
Principal applicant (Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee)$1365
Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (with right of permanent residence fee)$1365
A dependent child under the age of 22 who is not a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental conditionAdd $230 each per dependent
Last updated May 10, 2022

Do I need to provide language test results for the FSW program?

To apply under the FSW program, candidates must provide results from an approved language exam. To meet the minimum eligibly requirements, Federal Skilled Workers must score at least a CLB 7 or higher in each area of the language exam.

Federal Skilled Worker program eligible occupations

In order to be eligible for the FSW, you must have at least one year of work experience in an occupation skill type A, B, or 0. For a complete list of eligible occupations, please see below:

In order to submit a program under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must meet a minimum score of 67 on the FSW points grid. To calculate your Federal Skilled Worker score, you can check your points against the grids below.

For a free assessment of your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, complete our free online assessment form today!

FactorPoints
Education25
Language Proficiency28
Age12
Work Experience15
Arranged Employment10
Adaptability10
Minimum Pass Score67

Factor 1: Education

 
Level of EducationPoints
Doctoral (PhD) level25
Master’s level23
Two or more post-secondary degrees – at least one for a program of at least 3 years22
Post-secondary degree – 3 years or longer21
Post-secondary degree – 2 years19
Post-secondary degree – 1 year15
Secondary school5
Maximum25

Factor 2: Language Proficiency

 
Language Proficiency
EnglishIELTS ScorePoints
First Official LanguageSpeakingListeningReadingWriting 
CLB 966666 pts/ability
CLB 855555 pts/ability
CLB 744444 pts/ability
Second Official Language (OPTIONAL)
*Score must be met in all four abilities44444 points
      
EnglishCELPIP ScorePoints
CLB 999996 pts/ability
CLB 888885 pts/ability
CLB 777774 pts/ability
Second Official Language (OPTIONAL)
*Score must be met in all four abilities55554 points
      
FrançaisMarque TEFPoints
Première langue officielleExpression oraleCompréhension de l’oraleCompréhension de l’écritExpression écrite 
NCLC 9371+298+248+371+6 pts/compétence
NCLC 8349-370280-297233-247349-3705 pts/compétence
NCLC 7310-348249-279207-232310-3484 pts/compétence
Seconde langue officielle (OPTIONELLE)
*vous devez atteindre le seuil minimal dans chacune des quatre compétences linguistiques226-371+181-298+151-248+226-371+4 points
      
FrançaisMarque TCFPoints
Première langue officielleExpression oraleCompréhension de l’oraleCompréhension de l’écritExpression écrite 
NCLC 914+523+524+14+6 pts/compétence
NCLC 812-13503-522499-52312-135 pts/compétence
NCLC 710-11458-502453-49810-114 pts/compétence
Seconde langue officielle (OPTIONELLE)
*vous devez atteindre le seuil minimal dans chacune des quatre compétences linguistiques6+369-397+375-405+6+4 points
      
Maximum    28

Factor 3: Age

 
AgePoints
Under 180
18-3512
3611
3710
389
398
407
416
425
434
443
452
461
47 and older0
Maximum12

Factor 4: Work Experience

 

The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of the three federal immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system. As with all Express Entry programs, FST uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates against one another, only inviting the most competitive candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Each year, over half of all immigrants to Canada are skilled workers welcomed through economic programs, including the Federal Skilled Trades program. For qualified tradespeople the FST program can be a fast option for obtaining Canadian permanent residence, and with it, the right to live and work in Canada permanently.

FST Program Requirements

In order to qualify for FST, a candidate must have at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade (or an equal amount in part-time). This experience must have been obtained within the previous 5 years and only considers work experience obtained after an individual has been granted the certification to practice the trade in their country of residence.

Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, defines skilled trades as the following occupation groups:

Major Group 72industrial, electrical and construction trades
Major Group 73maintenance and equipment operation trades
Major Group 82supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
Major Group 92processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
Minor Group 632chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633butchers and bakers

If a person does possess the necessary work experience, they also must meet the other eligibility criteria outlined by the FST program:

  • Canada Employment Connection
    Have a valid offer of full-time employment for a position lasting at least 12-months or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade which is issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
  • Language
    Reach a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 on an approved English or French language test.
  • Residence in Canada
    Must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

Provided a candidate meets these requirements, they will be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Trades program. However, candidates should note that they must meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offences and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.

FST Application Procedure

If a person meets these requirements, they can submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submitting an Express Entry profile does not guarantee a candidate will receive Canadian permanent residence. Only after submitting an Express Entry profile will a candidate be assigned a CRS score and be considered in future Express Entry draws for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

When submitting an Express Entry profile, an FST candidate will be required to provide information from several documents:

  • Language Proficiency Test Results
    All candidates under the Express Entry programs must must provide results from an approved language test taken within the previous two years.
  • Identification Documents
    Candidates will be required to provide information from identification documents. Ideally, a candidate and all accompanying family members should possess passports valid for travel.

Though educational documents are not required for FST, an applicant must have certain documentation in order to claim points for education:

  • Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
    In order to claim points for education, an FST candidate must provide a valid ECA report attesting to the value of foreign education by Canadian standards. There are five organizations in Canada authorized to issue ECA reports. This is not required for educational credentials obtained from a Canadian educational institution.

Since the Express Entry system launched in 2015, the lowest ranking FST candidate to receive an ITA held a CRS score of 199 points. If an applicant’s CRS score is below this score they should actively pursue options for improving their score.

Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and plateau at 500,000 in 2026 There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada and secure Canadian permanent residence, however, the Canadim Team is committed to helping you keep things simple. 

Easiest Ways to Immigrate to Canada

The easiest way to come to Canada will depend on your own unique profile or connections to the country. With Canadian immigration targets higher than ever, now is the time to start your immigration journey.

It should be noted that there is no one simple way to immigrate to Canada. While some programs may be easier for you to apply to, the process is long and involves many steps.

While immigrating to Canada does require a significant financial and emotional investment, the end result is worth it. Canada consistently ranks among the best countries for quality of life and is known for its positive attitude toward immigration.

These are the four most popular ways for overseas applicants to migrate to Canada:

#1 – Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s fastest and most popular immigration program. Candidates that apply through the Express Entry system can receive permanent residence status as soon as six months.

By 2025, Canada plans to invite half a million newcomers. Of which a large percentage will come through one of the three streams of Express Entry:

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW);
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC); and
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

The Express Entry system involves submitting an online profile that is scored by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To submit an Express Entry profile, you must first be eligible under one of Canada’s above three federal streams. The Canadian government then issues invitations to apply for permanent residence to the highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool.

The Express Entry process may be the easiest way to come to Canada for certain candidates eligible to submit a profile. It can be difficult to meet the CRS cut-off in the federal draw. However, just by being in the pool of candidates, you could be nominated for permanent residence by a province.

The cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry is typically about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This does not include the settlement funds that must also be shown as part of the eligibility requirement, which will vary by family size.

Visit our Express Entry page to learn more about submitting a profile and how to increase your ranking in the pool.

#2 – Provincial Nominee Programs

Throughout the pandemic, provinces continued to nominate overseas workers for Canadian permanent residence. By 2025, Canada plans to welcome 117,500 new immigrants through PNPs.

There are countless nominee programs offered by Canada’s ten provinces and three territories. Each PNP has its own unique eligibility criteria. Many PNPs require a connection to the province to apply for nomination. However, there are some programs that invite overseas candidates solely based on their ability to respond to the province’s labour market needs.

Each PNP has its own application processing time. After receiving a nomination, PNP candidates must apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence. The time it takes to process the permanent residence application will depend on whether the PNP operates using the Express Entry system.

The cost of immigrating to Canada through a PNP is usually the same as Express Entry, with some additional fees, depending on the province. Certain provinces don’t charge a fee to process PNP applications, while others, such as Ontario, can charge up to $1,500 CAD.

#3 – Business Immigration

If you have experience managing or owning your own business, the easiest way to work and reside in Canada could be through a federal or provincial business immigration program.

The federal government offers immigration programs for individuals that plan to be self-employed in Canada or start up a business in Canada.

There are also several PNPs specific to overseas candidates interested in starting a business in a certain Canadian province.

Business immigration programs typically require a significant investment in the company you intend to start in Canada. The amount required will depend on the program you are interested in. Many PNPs have regional entrepreneur programs that require a lower investment for candidates interested in starting a business in a less populated area.

#4 – Sponsorship

If you have a qualifying family member that is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, family sponsorship will likely be the easiest way for you to reside in Canada.

Canada offers several immigration programs that give permanent residents and citizens the chance to bring their family members to the country. This year, Canada plans to welcome 105,000 new permanent residents through family sponsorship programs.

If your spouse, child, or grandchild is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, you may be eligible for family sponsorship.

Sponsoring a relative typically costs about $1,135 CAD. Additional fees will apply if the sponsor resides in or intends to reside in Quebec.

The processing time for a sponsorship application will depend on the family member who is sponsoring you. For spousal sponsorship, applications typically take about 12 months to process from start to finish.

Canadian Immigration Programs Overview

There are more than 80 pathways to immigrate to Canada! We will outline the broad categories of Canadian immigration in an effort to keep things simple for our readers. Click on the links to the specific programs to learn more about the requirements and qualifications needed to be eligible to apply. 

Immigration Tip

Discover your Canadian immigration options by completing our free online assessment tool. In one simple form, we will evaluate you for the dozens of immigration programs available and let you know which one is best for you.  

Economic and Business Immigration Options

Economic and business immigration options are for professionals who have skills that support the Canadian economy. Each program differs greatly in the qualifications required so no one-size-fits-all description is possible. 

Economic and business immigration categories include:

  • Provincial Nominee Programs
  • Express Entry
  • Quebec Immigration 
  • Investor Programs
  • Entrepreneur and Self-Employed Programs
  • Other federal classes of immigration like the Caregivers Program, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the Agri-Food Pilot are also options under the umbrella of economic immigration to Canada. 

Family Sponsorship

Family sponsorship is a category of immigration available to the family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

Family members eligible to sponsor include:

  • Spouse or common-law/conjugal partner
  • Dependent child (adopted or biological) 
  • Parents and grandparents 

In some circumstances, you may be eligible to sponsor other family members outside the above-mentioned categories. If you have no other eligible relatives to sponsor you may sponsor the following family members:

  • Orphaned brother or sister
  • Orphaned nephew or niece
  • Orphaned grandchild

Humanitarian and Refugee Immigration

Canada has an international reputation as a leader in accepting new refugees and other immigrants for humanitarian and compassionate reasons. A significant portion of Canada’s annual immigration target is dedicated to admitting refugees.

How Much Money do You Need to Immigrate to Canada?

The cost of immigrating to Canada is generally about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This amount does not include the settlement funds that many candidates must show to be eligible for Canadian immigration; this amount will vary by family size, starting at around $13,000 CAD for a single applicant. If a candidate is applying through a provincial program, additional fees may apply. Proof of settlement funds is not required for those with a Canadian job offer or who are applying under the Canadian Experience Class.

All forms of business immigration require significant investment in Canada. It might require the applicant to have invested in a Canadian company or require an applicant to make an interest-free loan to the federal or provincial government.

In most cases, you do not provide financial information to sponsor a spouse or dependent child. If you are sponsoring other family members like a parent or grandparent, there is a financial requirement that will need to be met in order to be eligible to apply.

If you are applying under humanitarian and compassionate grounds applications, no financial requirements exist. The only time financial information is required under this category of immigration is if the refugee is a privately sponsored applicant. In that case, the Canadian group sponsoring the refugee must demonstrate that they have raised sufficient funds to sponsor the resettlement of the refugee candidate.

What are the Requirements for Canadian Immigration?

Each immigration program has its own minimum eligibility requirements. It is important to verify your eligibility prior to applying.

When submitting an application, the Canadian government will request various documents to verify your work experience, education, identity, and criminal and medical background. The types of required documents depend on the program to which you are applying.

In order to determine the documents, you will require, first you have to determine which immigration program is best for you!

What is the Fastest Way to become a permanent resident in Canada?

The fastest method of immigrating to Canada is through Express Entry. Express Entry processes most applications in six months or less.  

What is the Maximum Age for Canadian Immigration?

There is no specific age limit requirement for any Canadian immigration program. That said, in most categories of economic immigration, applicants 25-35 receive the maximum points. That doesn’t mean older applicants cannot be selected. Having substantial work experience, high language proficiency, connections to Canada, and advanced education can easily offset any points lost for age in economic immigration. 

Family sponsorship and humanitarian and refugee immigration to Canada do not use a ranking system and therefore do not have any penalties for age whatsoever. 

Which is the best pathway for me?

With over 80 pathways of immigration, Canada has a range of options for all types of applicants. That said, moving to a new country requires some effort. Some immigration programs require higher qualifications and more documents than others. Using the services of a Canadian immigration lawyer can greatly assist in the immigration process from start to finish. 

Canadian immigration lawyers are the point of contact with the government for your application. They handle the submission of your application and advise you on the documents you need, the ones you might want to include, and the documents you should not provide. 

To learn more about how the skilled legal professionals and lawyers at the Canadim Law Firm can help you, check out our Canadian immigration services page.  

Do I Need a Job Offer to Immigrate to Canada?

No. The vast majority of all Canadian permanent residents do not have a job offer in Canada when they apply. While some Canadian immigration programs require applicants to have a Canadian job offer, there is a range of programs and options available to foreign nationals without an offer of employment in Canada. Here are two main immigration programs that do not require a Canadian job offer:

1. Express Entry

The Express Entry system is responsible for welcoming over 100,000 newcomers to Canada each year. If you are applying for an Express Entry program, it is likely that you will not need a job offer. In fact, about 90% of Express Entry candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency without holding a Canadian job offer, according to IRCC’s Year-End Report 2019.

Express Entry requires applicants to have adequate work and educational experience, as well as language skills. However, you will not lose points for not having an offer from a Canadian employer.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

There are also many Provincial Nominee Programs that do not require a job offer to apply.

Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan, will instead use Expression of Interest (EOI) points-based systems – similar to Express Entry – to determine which candidates will be invited to apply for nomination.

Other provinces, such as Ontario or Nova Scotia, will invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool to fill specific demographic or labour market gaps. That means, just by having an Express Entry profile in the pool of candidates, you have the opportunity to be invited to settle permanently in a Canadian province.

So if you want to immigrate to Canada and do not yet have a valid job offer, don’t panic! There are many options available to become a permanent resident do not include a job offer requirement.

What is a Permanent Resident?

A Canadian permanent resident is a citizen of another country who has been granted permission to live in Canada as a permanent resident. Once a person has permanent resident status, they have the right to live and work anywhere in the country. Permanent residents receive a significant number of benefits in Canada, including access to healthcare and social services, the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, and protection under Canadian law. As well, after being a permanent resident for a certain amount of time, permanent residents are eligible to apply to become Canadian citizens! Notably, Canadian permanent residents do not have the right to vote in Canadian elections.

What is a Citizen?

Canadian citizens have many rights and privileges in Canada. Citizens have access to healthcare, social services, support under the law. A citizen can live, work, and study, anywhere in Canada, and has the right to vote in Canadian elections. As well, citizenship cannot be revoked or removed. All people born in Canada automatically qualify for Canadian citizenship. As well, foreign nationals can become naturalized Canadian citizens by going through the proper application process with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Can I Work Anywhere in Canada?

Once a person has Canadian permanent resident status, they have the authorization to live and work anywhere in Canada. If a foreign national does not have Canadian permanent resident status, then they must have the proper authorization to work in Canada. Usually, this authorization comes in the form of a Canadian work permit.

Can I Bring My Family to Canada?

Certain immigration programs allow foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada with their family members. However, the family members able to accompany a foreign national varies depending on the immigration program. For example, those immigrating through Canada’s Express Entry system are eligible to include their spouse and dependent children on the application, but not their parents. However, Canada has family sponsorship programs enabling Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and parents/grandparents. In order to determine whether or not your family members may join you, first you must determine which immigration pathway you choose to pursue!

Why is Canada Looking for Immigrants?

Canadian cities and rural areas depend on newcomers to keep their populations growing and to support their labour markets. Canada also has an aging population, and without a robust system of immigration, Canada would be on a similar trajectory to that of Japan in the 1990s. But unlike Japan, Canada embraced immigration and that has allowed us to maintain a large proportion of the population in prime working age, between 25 and 54. This would not be possible without mass immigration to Canada.

It is not an easy thing to do. Pack up your life into a couple suitcases and move to another country. This can be even more difficult if the country is far away, across continents and oceans, with different weather, cultures, laws, and languages than what you’re used to.

In order to ensure you adjust well to life in Canada, there are a few questions you might be asking yourself: How will you immigrate? What kind of job will you get? Where will you live? When you need to see a doctor, what should you do?

Moving to Canada From the US

If you’re living in the United States and you want to move to Canada, you’ll face a unique set of questions and concerns. Thankfully, we’ve put together a guide which takes you through all the steps involved with moving to Canada from the US.

How to Move to Canada?

The first step to moving to Canada from another country is determining which immigration pathway is best for you. This entirely depends on what your intentions are in Canada. Are you planning on moving to Canada permanently? Or are you coming to work temporarily, study, or visit family or friends? If you’d like to move to Canada permanently, you’ll want to pursue an immigration pathway to permanent residence. If you’d like to move to Canada for work, study, or visiting purposes, you’ll want to pursue an immigration pathway to temporary residence.

Permanent Residence Pathways

Permanent resident status gives its holders the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. The status is permanent, as long as a few conditions are met, and after a few years, permanent residents becoming eligible for Canadian citizenship. How does a person become a permanent resident? There are a few different immigration pathways for permanent residents:

  • Economic Class Immigration
  • Family Class Immigration
  • Business Class Immigration
  • Refugee and Humanitarian Immigration

Temporary Residence Pathways

Temporary resident status grants its holder the right to be in Canada for a temporary period of time for the pursuit of certain activities, as indicated on their immigration documents. Generally, temporary residents are authorized entry to Canada for the purposes of working, studying, and/or visiting. There are separate immigration pathways for each of these temporary residents:

  • Work in Canada
  • Study in Canada
  • Visit Canada

Working in Canada

Once you’ve arrived in Canada, you may be seeking employment in order to generate some income to support yourself and your family members. There are a few things to consider when looking for a job in Canada:

  • Authorization to Work in Canada: In order to work in Canada, you must ensure that you have the proper authorization. If you are a Canadian permanent resident, you automatically have authorization to work in Canada. Otherwise, you must ensure that you have a valid permit authorizing your work.
  • Job Bank Resources: There are a range of resources in Canada designed to help those people who are looking for employment. The government of Canada operates the Federal Job Bank, with many employment opportunities posted daily. As well, there are many other employment offer websites and networking services.
  • Certification and Licensing: Many professions in Canada are regulated. This means that a worker must have a certificate or license to practice in that profession. Before moving to Canada, it is beneficial to check if your profession is regulated and understand the process of obtaining a certificate or license, if necessary.

Studying in Canada

Canada is home to some of the world’s top rated educational institutions! There are many options for studying in Canada. Permanent residents are eligible to study at any institution in Canada provided they gain acceptance to that institution. Temporary residents must obtain the proper authorization to study in Canada, this is in the form of a study permit.

When to move to Canada

You don’t have to move to Canada right away once your application for Canadian Permanent Residence is approved. However, you must land in Canada before the expiry of your CoPR visa. After you have landed and confirmed your permanent residence status, you can take your time with the moving process.

 

Crossing the Border

If you are crossing the border as a temporary resident, you must ensure you have the proper documentation required for your entry. Many countries require a visa to enter Canada, while some countries are visa-exempt. As well, ensure you have the necessary identification documents. When crossing the border to become a permanent resident, there are certain protocols you must follow. Ensure you have the following essential documents:

  • Canadian immigrant visa (unless coming from a visa-exempt country)
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member travelling
  • Valid passport or other travel document for each family member travelling
  • Two Copies of:
    • A detailed list of all the personal or household items you’re bring with you
    • A list of items that are arriving later and their money value.

Do not pack these documents. Keep them with you and your family members at all times. When entering Canada to become a permanent resident, you must disclose funds if you’re carrying more than $10,000 CAD.

Accommodations/Housing

When you arrive in Canada, you will need to have a place to live. Some newcomers choose to find accommodations before arriving in Canada. However, we do advise caution when arranging accommodations in advance as there does exist some fraud on the rental and housing market. Many newcomers choose to stay temporarily in a hotel or with friends or relatives when they first arrive. This gives them time to search, in-person, for accommodations. Once you’ve decided where you’d like to live, be sure to check with Newcomers Canada to see if they have resources with which they can support you.

Healthcare and Social Services

All Canadian citizens and permanent residents have access to Canada’s healthcare system and social services. Consult with Newcomers Canada to learn more about how to access these services. Temporary residents, including workers, students, and visitors, should ensure they have access to health insurance during their stay in Canada.

Newcomer Services

The Canadian government believes that the integration of newcomers is essential to their success in Canada. For this reason, Canada offers a wide range of services to assist those who are new to Canada. These services can provide guidance regarding housing, schooling, employment, language training, transportation, and many other areas. To learn more about these services, simply check the Newcomer Services section of the Canadian government website.

In recent months, the number of Americans looking to make the move to Canada has skyrocketed. In response to this, we have created this step-by-step guide to moving to Canada from the US. Read on to learn more about your Canadian immigration options as a US citizen, and the best pathways to Canadian permanent residence.

Considering making the move across the border from the U.S. to Canada? You’re not alone. In 2019, more than 10,000 U.S. residents made the move to Canada.

Moving to Canada can provide a wealth of opportunities for you and your family in regards to jobs, health, and education.

Before heading to the great white north to visit, study, or work you’ll need to know your options to enter and stay in Canada legally.

How can I move to Canada from the US as a permanent resident?

One of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada from the US is through Canada’s Express Entry system. 

Express Entry is used to process the majority of Canadian immigration applications for three of the country’s economic immigration programs. If you qualify for one of the following programs, you may be eligible Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry.

80% of applications for permanent residency submitted through Express Entry are processed within 6 months, making it one of the fastest immigration systems in the world. 

There are three federal economic immigration streams:

  1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
    If you have at least one year of skilled work experience, meet minimum language requirements in French or English, and score at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSW selection grid, you may be eligible to the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
  2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
    If you have two years of experience in a skilled trade, meet minimum language requirements in French or English, and have either a Canadian certificate of qualification to practice your trade in Canada or a job offer in your skilled trade in Canada, you may be eligible to the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
  3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
    If you meet minimum language requirements in French or English and have worked in a skilled position (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) for at least one year in Canada on a valid work permit, you may be eligible to apply to the Canadian Experience Class.

These programs are competitive and score based. Keep in mind that meeting the criteria for any of these programs is not enough. Candidates are assigned a score and ranked against other candidates, and only the highest-ranking candidates will be able to apply to immigrate to Canada.

Curious what your CRS score might be? Canadim’s CRS score calculator helps you estimate your CRS score for Express Entry immigration to Canada.

Can a US permanent resident work in Canada?

If you are moving from the US to Canada to work, there are different types of work permits that may be available to you, depending on your circumstances:

  1. CUSMA Work Permits
    The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is an economic agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico that facilitates trade between the three countries by, among other things, allowing selected categories of temporary workers into each other’s markets.CUSMA work permits can be issued through the International Mobility Program to American citizens with an eligible job offer from a Canadian employer to come and work in Canada temporarily without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
    They also allow American companies with Canadian branches to transfer American employees in managerial or executive roles quickly and easily.
  2. Employer Specific Work Permit
    If you have a valid job offer from a specific employer, you may be eligible to enter Canada on an employer-specific work permit. An employer-specific work permit usually requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a document that proves the employer tried to find a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident to fill the role, before it was offered to a foreign national.
    Anyone wishing to switch jobs after entering Canada on an employer specific work permit will be required to apply for a new work permit.
  3. Spousal Open Work Permit
    If your spouse or common-law partner is a temporary foreign worker or international student in Canada, or if you are undergoing the inland sponsorship process you may be eligible for a spousal open work permit. This type of permit is not employer specific so if you change jobs you will not need to get a new work permit as long as your current permit is valid.

If you want specific information about how American Citizens can work and emmigrate to Canada, red our full article: Can US Citizens Work in Canada?

Can I move to Canada from the US as an international student?

There are several perks to studying in Canada compared to the US, including lower tuition rates, shorter visa processing times, and the ability to start work immediately. A Canadian study permit allows the student the ability to work 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks and holidays.

In the US, international students with F-1 visas may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Even after their first year, international students in the US can be limited to the jobs they can hold making their stay more financially difficult.

While the ability to work is great, the ability to purchase more with fewer dollars is even better. Fortunately, accomodation and food for students are cheaper in Canada than the U.S. You also won’t have to spend as much time and money on your studies in Canada compared to the US.

Canadian Universities offer 2-year Associate degrees as well as 3 year Bachelor degrees. Moving to Canada from the US through a study program can also benefit your long-term immigration plans. In Canada, you can obtain a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) following most programs of study. Your PGWP can be valid for the same duration as your study permit, up to three years.

Canadian work experience, in addition to a degree from a Canadian institution, drastically increases your chances of successfully applying for Canadian permanent residence. In the US, however, you may need to find a sponsor company to continue your stay through work.

Canadim’s International Student Program

The number of international students in Canada continues to grow every year. Many of them are able to stay in Canada after finishing their studies.

Canadim’s International Student Program can help to guide you through the process. From getting your study permit to permanent residency, we’ll be there every step of the way. With our help, you can transform a Canadian education into Canadian permanent residence.

Every one of our International Student Program clients is paired with an Educational Counsellor who has been trained in the landscape of Canadian higher education and immigration in Canada. With their help, you will submit the strongest possible application.

How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada from the US?

Government processing fees must be submitted along with most visa applications. These fees are the same regardless of your nationality or country of origin. Processing fees vary depending on which immigration program you are eligible for. 

It costs $155 to apply for a Canadian work permit, and $150 to apply for a Canadian study permit. 

When applying for permanent residence, there is a $490 Right of Permanent Residence fee (RPFR), which must be paid once an application for permanent residence has been approved. 

Visiting Canada

If you are coming to Canada with a valid US passport you do not need a Canadian visa or an electronic travel visa (eTA). You will need a visitor visa to enter Canada if you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or from a visa-exempt country, such as the US. If you are a US Green Card holder, you do not require a Canadian visa to enter Canada. However, if you’re flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport, you will need an eTA.

With a visitor visa, you can legally stay in Canada for up to 6 months to travel, search for work, and even participate in certain short-term study programs. You cannot, however, work or even apply for a work or study permit from within Canada.

Inadmissibility

In addition to meeting the requirements to move to Canada from the USA, you also need to be admissible to Canada. Inadmissibility refers to people who otherwise be eligible for immigration, but who are not admissible. There are two major categories of inadmissibility: medical inadmissibility and criminal inadmissibility.

If you have a medical condition that may expose Canadians to danger, or impose an excessive demand on Canada’s publicly funded health and social services, you may be medically inadmissible. If you have a criminal record, you may be criminally inadmissible to Canada. Even small crimes that don’t result in jail time can result in major problems when you try to move to, or even visit, Canada from the USA.

If you believe you may be inadmissible to Canada for medical or criminal reasons, there are steps to overcome inadmissibility. Contact us to discuss what your options are to come to Canada from the USA.

Settling in Canada

Once you know you’re coming to Canada from the US, you’ll need a plan to get settled in: find a place to live, find schools and/or work, and arrange your finances and healthcare. Luckily Canada has some of the best newcomer services in the world and free of charge!

Employment

One major difference in employment when making the move from the US to Canada is at-will employment. At-will means an employee can be terminated for any reason, at any time, without warning and is the common practice in the US. Once terminated, the employer is not obligated to provide severance to the employee. In Canada, however, employees must receive two weeks notice of their termination or two weeks regular salary or severance, contingent on the number of years worked.

Another major difference between the US and Canada are the rights of workers to take maternity or paternity leave.

Although eligible American employees may be able to take up to 12 weeks maternity leave, this time off is unpaid. Across the border from the US in Canada, the laws are much different. Both parents can participate in taking a standard paid leave of 35 weeks or an extended leave of 61 weeks. During this leave, a portion of the employee’s salary is paid and their job is held for when they will return.

Taxation

Immigrating to Canada from the US won’t permit you to stop filing or even paying US taxes. The US and Canada have treaties in place to prevent both fiscal evasion and double taxation. While filing taxes in both countries may seem similar – comparable tax structure and lots of paperwork – there are some key differences. The biggest difference: if you’re working in Canada, you’ll most likely pay more taxes. Though this may make the US look better on the surface, you need to keep in mind where these tax dollars are going. In Canada, those tax dollars go towards a number of social services including universal healthcare and education, whereas a relatively higher proportion of US tax revenue goes towards funding US defense programs.

If you are married or in a common-law partnership, you will also want to note that there are no joint tax returns. In Canada each individual must file his/her own tax return. This does not mean, however, that you cannot combine yours and your partner’s expenses, such as childcare and charitable donations.

Accommodation

Once you decide to move from the US to Canada, you’ll need to find a place to live. Looking for a property to rent or own is similar in both countries. You can search online, with an agent, or through newspaper ads, request a visit, and then view the property. Once you’ve found a place to live, you’ll need to sign a lease for the amount of time you intend to stay.

Keep in mind that in Canada, as in the US, each province or territory can have different laws when it comes to signing a lease.

Healthcare

One of the biggest differences between the US and Canada is healthcare. In Canada, all Canadian citizens and permanent residents have access to their home province’s health insurance program which covers necessary hospital and physician services. In the US, healthcare is normally provided by the company you work for. However, if your employer is not part of an insurance program, you find yourself without a job, or any number of other reasons you may find yourself unable to afford private insurance in the States.

In 2017 alone, about 11% of the US population was uninsured. Unfortunately, this high percentage isn’t because Americans aren’t sick; it’s because they can’t afford to get medical care.

Canadian Citizenship

To apply for Canadian citizenship you must have permanent resident (PR) status in Canada and have been physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days (approximately three years) during the five years before the date you sign your application. Any time in Canada as a student, visitor, or worker before becoming a permanent resident within the last five years will count as one half day, up to a maximum of 365 full days, towards your physical presence. So, the sooner you start your stay in Canada, the sooner you are on your path to citizenship!