Provincial Nominee Programs

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has entered into a series of bilateral agreements with interested provinces to permit the admission of a limited number of provincial nominees under provisions that exist in the current Immigration Legislation. To date, agreements have been entered into with Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. The Provincial Nominee Program facilitate the selection of persons who, in the estimation of the provincial government, will contribute to the industrial and economic development of that province and therefore permits greater involvement of provincial authorities in the selection of immigrants destined to their province.

The program recognizes that provincial governments are best positioned to identify their unique economic needs that can be effectively addressed by immigration. Each province establishes its own standards and processes by which it chooses its nominees. All provinces undertake to nominate candidates who demonstrate a strong likelihood of integrating and settling effectively into that province.

Procedures for application and issuance of provincial nominations vary from province to province. The criteria usually include age, education, intended occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador (see "Important Terms"), guaranteed employment in Newfoundland and Labrador, work experience, language and adaptability.

However, Citizenship and Immigration Canada retains, as it is the case even with CSQ holders in the Quebec Immigration Program, the authority to make the final decision on an independent application using existing selection and admissibility criteria, including security, criminal, and medical components for candidates who hold Provincial Nominee Certificates.

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

The Provincial Nominee Program is an immigration program aimed at fulfilling specific economic and industrial development goals within the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The program identifies and recruits immigrants who have specialized skills which will be of benefit to the Province in further developing our economy. The program allows the Province to recruit persons with occupational and entrepreneurial skills. The criteria used for selection include age, education, intended occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador guaranteed employment in Newfoundland and Labrador, work experience, language and adaptability. A minimum score of 40 points on a selection grid is required in order to be considered for the program

NEW BRUNSWICK

New Brunswick has also signed a Provincial Nominee Agreement with the federal government, which allows the Province to play a more active role in immigration by selecting a number of immigrants to fulfill specific economic needs. Under the Provincial Nominee Program, the Province seeks immigrants who will fill labour market shortages or create and expand employment and business opportunities.

To qualify for the Provincial Nominee Program, applicants must have a guaranteed job offer in their intended occupation or have had a business plan approved by an economic department of the Province of New Brunswick. Applicants must score a minimum of 50 points in order to be considered for the program.

MANITOBA

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MB PNP) seeks potential immigrants who are good candidates for Manitoba but who otherwise may not qualify under Canada's immigration criteria. There are two categories of immigrants under the Provincial Nominee program: skilled worker and business immigrants.

Under the MB PNP, for skilled workers, Manitoba recruits, screens and nominates prospective immigrants with a combination of education, training and experience that will allow them to fill specific Manitoba labour market requirements. Applicants who have the best chance of being nominated are the ones that have:

-training and work experience in demand in Manitoba; -a guaranteed job offer consistent with their training and experience; and -settlement supports in Manitoba to assist them upon arrival in Manitoba.

Applicants must also score a minimum of 55 points in a selection grid to be considered for the Manitoba program.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program that allows the Province of B.C. to choose a limited number of immigrants to meet provincial economic needs. For these individuals and businesses, the BC PNP will significantly speed up the immigration process.

The BC PNP accepts applications from:

B.C. employers in sectors (public or private) facing critical skill shortages. Business people from outside Canada who can demonstrate that their immigration will bring significant economic benefits to B.C.

Applications will be accepted in three categories:

Strategic Occupations: for skilled individuals who have a guaranteed job offer and are qualified to work in selected occupations with a persistent shortage of qualified workers in B.C.

To immigrate to Canada in the Strategic Occupations category, you must have a guaranteed job offer from an employer in British Columbia.

Business Skills: (Currently under development) for individuals with specific business projects who have proven abilities and financial resources to establish a business in B.C.

Projects: (Currently under development) for individuals such as key managers, employees or business owners who are essential to the success of identified economic projects

For more information regarding the Provincial Nominee Programs, please communicate with the following provincial contacts:

Newfoundland

Industry Trade and Technology Confederation Building West Block, 4th Floor P.O. Box 8700 St. John's, Newfoundland Canada A1B 4J6 or look up www.success.nfld.net on the Internet

New Brunswick

Provincial Nominee Program Department of Training and Employment Development P.O. Box 6000 Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada E3B 5H1 or look up (immigration@gnb.ca) or refer to www.gnb.ca/immigration/ english/immigrate/nb.htm on the Internet

Manitoba

Immigration Promotion and Recruitment Branch Citizenship and Multiculturalism Division 5th Floor - 213 Notre Dame Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3B 1N3 or look up www.gov.mb.ca/chc/immsettl on the Internet

Saskatchewan

Business Immigration Program 5th Floor - 1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4P 3V7 or look up www.gov.sk.ca/econdev on the Internet

British Columbia

Kerry Pridmore, PNP Project Manager Ministry of Multiculturalism and Immigration or look up www.pnp.mi.gov.bc.ca on the Internet