Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Easiest Province to Get PR in Canada
Depending on your profile, provinces’ nominee programs can be the easiest way to secure PR in Canada. So which provinces make it easiest to get PR for candidates with no connections to Canada? Here it is our Top 5.
There are countless nominee programs, each with its own unique eligibility requirements. PNPs let provinces respond to their own unique immigration needs. Generally, PNPs are designed to fill gaps in the labour force, so they will target candidates with experience in high-demand occupations.
We are often asked which Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the easiest to immigrate to for overseas candidates. While many PNPs require a connection to their province – such as a job offer, work experience, or an educational credential – to apply for nomination, there are some programs that invite candidates solely based on their ability to fill labour or demographic gaps.
These are the four provinces that are considered the easiest for overseas applicants to get PR in Canada in 2023:
#1 – Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry
Located in Canada’s prairie region, the province of Saskatchewan has become a popular destination for immigrants due to its strong economic growth and job opportunities.
The Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry streams of Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker PNP are designed to recruit workers with experience in the province’s in-demand occupations. These International Skilled Worker streams hand-select candidates using an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
To submit an EOI, applicants must have at least one year of experience in an occupation not on SINP’s Excluded Occupations List. Interested candidates must have also completed a post-secondary educational credential of at least one year and speak English or French. Any candidate that meets Saskatchewan’s minimum eligibility criteria, including scoring a minimum of 60 points on their Points Assessment Grid, may submit an EOI profile. Submitted profiles are then considered in one of SINP’s EOI draws. Only candidates with the most competitive SINP score and in-demand occupations are invited in SINP EOI draws.
Candidates eligible for Express Entry can apply under the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream for expedited processing of their permanent residence application. However, the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand stream is also available to those that don’t qualify to submit an Express Entry profile.
#2 – Alberta’s Express Entry Stream
Canada’s western province of Alberta is home to some of Canada’s thriving cities, such as Calgary and Edmonton. With a growing job market and great education system, Alberta is a noteworthy province for prospective newcomers.
The Alberta Express Entry stream selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for provincial nomination. One major benefit of this stream is that they consider Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300, which means more candidates in the pool will have a chance at receiving a Notification of Interest from the province.
It is worth noting that a CRS score above 300 does not guarantee an invitation from Alberta’s Express Entry stream. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program releases the CRS score of the lowest-ranking candidate from each round of invitations but does not release the additional targeted criteria. The following factors may increase a candidate’s chances:
- A qualifying relative that is a permanent resident or citizen living in Alberta;
- A job offer or work experience in Alberta; and
- A completed credential from a Canadian post-secondary institution
Alberta’s Express Entry stream operates through the federal Express Entry system. That means that receiving a provincial nomination will increase an applicant’s CRS score by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR in the next Express Entry draw.
Due to Alberta’s low CRS requirement, they are often considered one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada.
Curious about your CRS score? Use Canadim’s CRS Score Calculator and find out today.
Calculate Your CRS Score
#3 – Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream
Ontario is Canada’s most popular destination for immigrants with many newcomers drawn to the bustling city of Toronto and its growing tech-jobs sector. As such, the province has a large quota for helping newcomers immigrate through PNP streams.
Despite having one of the highest quotas among all provinces, Ontario wants to recruit even more newcomers. Ontario’s Labour Minister Monte McNaughton recently requested to double the number of immigrants allowed under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) from 9,000 to 18,000 to help tackle the province’s labour shortage.
For those living outside of Canada, Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream is a great option. This stream prioritizes skilled workers who will be able to fill skilled employment positions in the province.
The Human Capital Priorities also operates through the federal Express Entry system. Prospective candidates must have an active Express Entry profile with a CRS score of 400 points or higher. Ontario scans through all Express Entry profiles and invites certain profiles to apply to the PNP, typically inviting candidates based on a group of NOC codes and a certain CRS range.
In 2021, Ontario nominated a total of 3,513 candidates under their Human Capital Priorities stream. Of these nominees, about half were invited under OINP’s targeted tech draw.
Ontario also offers a PNP stream for French-Speaking Skilled Workers who have profiles in the Express Entry pool. If you have intermediate to advanced proficiency in French, this program may be a great option for you!
Due to Ontario’s high immigration quotas, the province holds frequent draws, making it one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada for qualifying candidates.
#4 – Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream
The province of Nova Scotia is located on Canada’s east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The province’s proximity to the ocean, low cost of living, and laid-back lifestyle make it a dream destination for many prospective newcomers.
Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities also selects candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. Since this stream often invites profiles without a connection to the province, it is considered one of the easiest PNPs for overseas applicants to obtain PR.
Nova Scotia does not publish the occupations or criteria that they will be targeting ahead of their intake rounds, but regularly invite candidates with no connections to the province. Prospective nominees must have an active Express Entry profile and indicate their interest in Nova Scotia.
Candidates that receive an invitation from Nova Scotia may apply for the chance to secure a provincial nomination. As the stream also operates through the Express Entry system, successful nominees receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a federal Express Entry draw.
#5 – Prince Edward Island Express Entry
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) offers ones of the easiest pathways to Canadian permanent residency through PEI Express Entry. This nomination can enhance the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply from the Federal Government.
To be eligible for PEI Express Entry, candidates must:
- Meet the criteria of one of the Federal Economic Immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class).
- Create a Federal Express Entry Profile and be part of the candidate pool.
- Demonstrate nine months of full-time work experience with a supporting PEI employer and have at least four months remaining on their work permit only if they hold a PGWP permit or a Spousal Open Work Permit.
Note: PEI will prioritize invitations for those working and living in the province with an eligible PEI employer.
To apply, applicants should read the Workforce Application Guide and create a profile in the Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest system, which remains active for six months. It is essential to keep profile information accurate and up-to-date. An Expression of Interest expresses interest but is not an application. Certain eligibility criteria exist, such as being in Canada legally.
There is no fee to create an Expression of Interest profile. But if you are invited to apply, a non-refundable fee of $300 CAD is required when submitting the Workforce Application Form. Employers must complete the PEI Workforce Job Offer Form, and applicants must complete relevant provincial forms.
Then if you are nominated, you must accept it through your MyCIC account and submit a permanent residency application with supporting documentation and fees. IRCC is responsible for permanent residency decisions. It’s crucial to notify authorities of any changes in circumstances. Candidates must maintain employment with one employer until receiving Permanent Residency status and report changes promptly.
Applying through the PEI Express Entry pathway emerges as a notably accessible option for those seeking to immigrate to Canada, particularly individuals who may have limited work experience and language proficiency. In contrast to other programs such as Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP), where eligibility often hinges on accumulating up to two years of work experience and demonstrating a high level of proficiency in both English and French languages, to obtain higher points, the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) presents a more accommodating alternative.
Which PNP is Right for You?
With more than 80 PNPs to choose from, we know that it can be difficult to narrow down which immigration program may be best for you. Since the easiest province to get PR in Canada will typically depend on your own unique profile, it can be hard to know where to start. If you would like to learn more about Canada’s PNPs or other ways to immigrate to Canada, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information!
Do you want to know if you qualify for any PNPs? Fill out our free assessment form today!
Start my Free online assessmentDiscover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!