Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for the PNP is different based on whether you apply through the paper-based (non-Express Entry streams) or Express Entry (Express Entry streams) process.

If you are applying through the paper-based process

• You must meet the minimum requirements of one of the province or territory’s non-Express Entry streams.
• You must be nominated under that stream.

If you are applying through Express Entry

• You must meet the minimum requirements of a province or territory’s Express Entry PNP stream.
• You must be nominated under that stream.
• You must create an Express Entry profile and show that you meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including the requirements of one of the immigration programs it covers.
• Use our online tool, Come to Canada, to see if you may be eligible.

Note: We are updating the Express Entry system:

• you can now earn additional points if you studied in Canada
• a valid job offer now only needs to be for one year, and some job offers no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
• the amount of points you get for a job offer has changed
• if you are invited to apply, you now have 90 days instead of 60.

Find out more about these changes and how they may affect you.

Contact the province or territory

To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:

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