Provincial nomination certificates have become a popular route for Canadian immigration, offering a significant boost in the Express Entry pool. With dozens of Provincial Nominee Programs available, each with different eligibility criteria, applicants have multiple opportunities to find a program which suits their skills and experience. This blog covers how to get a Canadian provincial nomination for Express Entry. 

So, without further ado, let us begin! 

How To Get A Canadian Provincial Nomination For Express Entry 

Provinces and territories that manage a Provincial Nominee Program can select and nominate applicants from the Express Entry pool; the provinces have access to the pool through a specialized portal, thus enabling them to review and nominate applicants. 

Since every province has its own PNP, each with many different streams, it can be challenging to sort through them all to find which ones you are eligible for. This is even more complicated because provinces often change requirements and open and close streams. The trick to obtaining a provincial nomination is taking the time to research and monitor all programs you might be eligible for. 

Below is how you can get a Canadian provincial nomination for Express Entry. Take a look!

1. Maximizing Opportunities With In-Demand Occupation Experience  

Many provinces have Provincial Nominee Program streams dedicated to attracting international workers with experience in specific professions, helping them address labor shortages. The professions considered ‘in-demand’ vary by province and change over time. 

If you have international work experience, closely monitor the in-demand occupation lists of your preferred provinces. Also, aligning your experience with these in-demand professions can be one of the best ways to get a provincial nomination for Express Entry.

Some of the provinces with these kinds of streams include: 

  • Ontario Human Capital Priorities 
  • Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream 
  • Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand

2. Securing An Employer Job Offer 

If you have an employment offer and your employer is located in a Canadian province with this kind of nominee program, you might be eligible to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. 

Such streams are specifically designed to help employers in the province meet their labor requirements. If an employer cannot fill a position from the local labor market, job offer streams offer them access to the international market. 

The benefit of these job offer streams is that many allow employers to bypass the LMIA process. Many provinces have agreements with the federal government that will enable them to issue ‘letters of support’ to nominees who are successful. These letters are used to apply for a Canadian work permit instead of an LMIA. As a result, this makes it easier for employers to hire international applicants, which can also make it easier to obtain a role in Canada. 

Many employment offers do not require an Express Entry profile to apply. This implies that even if you do not qualify to enter the Express Entry pool, you still might be eligible to secure a nomination certificate. 

3. Opportunities For International Graduate Students 

Many provinces have a provincial nomination stream for foreign students in the province. In fact, international/ foreign student graduates are some of the most sought-after applicants for immigration. In case you have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and are in the Express Entry pool, you might also be eligible for over 30 additional CRS points for your education. 

Also, if you do not have experience as a student in Canada, an international student program can help you find a school and a program in Canada. 

4. Gaining Experience As A Temporary Worker 

Many Canadian provinces have streams dedicated to helping temporary workers transition to permanent residence. So, if you have experience working as a temporary worker, this can help you obtain a provincial nomination to improve Express Entry CRS score.   

Some of these streams require that you must be working in Canada when you apply for the nomination and that your employer offers you a full-time, permanent employment offer. Others only need recent experience as a worker in the province. 

If you are not eligible for Canadian immigration, starting off as a temporary worker can improve your eligibility in several ways. You can improve your language proficiency and grow your professional network to obtain an employment offer. 

5. Navigating Business Stream Options 

In order to get a Canadian provincial nomination for Express Entry, you can navigate your business stream options. 

Some provinces offer provincial nominations for applicants willing to own and operate a business there. Generally, you need to have managerial experience and a minimum personal net worth in order to be eligible for these types of streams. 

Conclusion 

Securing a provincial nomination for Express Entry significantly enhances your chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residency by boosting your CRS score. 

With various Provincial Nominee Programs catering to diverse needs, applicants must research and monitor streams that align with their skills, experience, and goals. Moreover, from leveraging in-demand occupations and securing job offers to exploring opportunities as international graduates or temporary workers, there are multiple pathways to pursue. 

Also, for those with business expertise, entrepreneurial streams present unique options. 

Ultimately, the key is to stay informed, adapt to changing requirements, and strategically align your profile with provincial immigration priorities.

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].