Can moving to another province help me secure Canadian PR?

Temporary residents in Canada may be able to boost their immigration chances by moving to another province and applying through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

While most PNP streams have a prior residency requirement, there are some provincial pathways open to candidates who do not currently reside in that province—meaning that if you were to receive PR through these pathways, you would only have to move upon receiving your new resident status.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams

This article will detail which PNP streams newcomers in Canada can apply to (even if they are not currently residing in that province) that remain active and continue to issue invitations to candidates.

Note: All PNPs require an intent to reside from eligible candidates. This means that before a candidate is nominated by a province, they must declare their intent to move to that province to live and work. PNP candidates who receive PR are expected to move and reside in the province that nominated them.

Many of the streams discussed in this article are Express Entry-aligned, or enhanced, meaning that provinces can invite candidates within the Express Entry pool to apply for nomination if they meet a PNP’s immigration priorities.

The following table details which provinces and streams are available to candidates from outside that province, and which have held draws within the last two months, indicating that these streams remain active:

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Who it’s for

The Alberta Express Entry stream is for skilled foreign nationals in or outside Alberta with an active Express Entry profile and experience in Alberta’s priority sectors such as tech, healthcare, construction, agriculture, aviation, or law enforcement.

The stream does conduct general draws, but also contains dedicated pathways within, for law enforcement, healthcare, and tech workers.

Eligibility highlights

To be eligible, candidates must have:

• An active federal Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP);
• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300;
• A primary occupation that aligns with Alberta’s sectoral priorities or pathway eligibility
• A job offer, depending on the pathway:
• Required for:
  • Accelerated Tech Pathway (unless already working full-time in Alberta)
  • Law Enforcement Pathway (must have an offer from an Alberta police agency)
  • Priority Sector Pathways (construction, agriculture, aviation), if the invitation was based on a job offer
• Not Required for:
  • General Alberta Express Entry draws (based on occupation and CRS score)
  • Priority Sectors Pathway (if invited based on occupation alone)
  • Dedicated Healthcare Pathway (dependent on AAIP selection; job offer not always required)

Most recent draw: November 14

Total Invitations in 2025 so far: 2,155

Express Entry-aligned: Yes

British Columbia Skilled Worker Stream

Who it’s for

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skilled Worker stream is designed for individuals with a full-time, permanent job offer in British Columbia in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) and at least two years of full-time work experience in that occupation.

It targets experienced workers who can fill high-demand roles across B.C.’s diverse labour market and intend to settle in the province permanently.

Eligibility highlights

To be eligible, candidates must have:

• A full-time, indeterminate job offer from a B.C. employer in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0–3 occupation;
• At least two years of directly related full-time work experience;
• Employer support, including a signed Employer Declaration Form;
• The minimum education required for the job;
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French;
• Wages that meet regional median wage thresholds; and
• The skills, license, or certification required for the occupation (if applicable).

Most recent draw: October 2, 2025*

Total invitations in 2025 so far: < 568 invitations

Express Entry-aligned: Yes

*Given its newly restricted nomination allocation in 2025, the BCPNP has taken to inviting candidates in its skilled immigration pathways through general draws across all three streams, wherein the top-scoring candidates are picked based on their occupation, wage, and other factors. More information can be found in our dedicated article.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration (Base and Regional Streams)

Who it’s for

The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration streams are for experienced business owners or senior managers seeking to start or acquire a business in British Columbia.

The Base Stream targets higher net worth individuals establishing a business anywhere in B.C., while the Regional Stream is tailored to entrepreneurs investing in smaller communities aligned with local economic priorities.

Eligibility highlights

To qualify, candidates must meet the following baseline criteria, with specific thresholds depending on the stream:

In both cases, candidates must meet education, licensing, and wage standards, and propose a business that is not on the BC PNP’s list of ineligible business types.

Most recent draw: November 18 (both streams)

Total invitations in 2025 so far: 103 (across both streams)

Express Entry-aligned: No

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams

Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Stream

Who it’s For

This stream is designed for skilled foreign nationals living outside of Canada who have a genuine connection to Manitoba* and the intention and ability to settle in the province permanently.

*The genuine connection criteria can be satisfied if a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through a Manitoba-led strategic recruitment initiative. These are special initiatives that target out-of-province workers who meet labour market and immigration priorities, opening up this stream to those not residing in Manitoba.

This stream may also be ideal for those who have family member(s) who have immigrated to Manitoba.

Eligibility highlights

To qualify, candidates must:

• Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) assessment grid, which includes language proficiency, age, work experience, education, and adaptability.
• Demonstrate a valid connection to Manitoba through one of the following:
  • Manitoba Support: close family or friends who are established residents of Manitoba
  • Manitoba Experience: past full-time work (6+ months) or post-secondary education in Manitoba
  • Manitoba Invitation: an ITA from the MPNP via an exploratory visit or overseas recruitment mission
• Show employability and adaptability in Manitoba, supported by a solid settlement plan.
• Meet language requirements, with CLB 5 or higher (CLB 4 minimum for TEER 4/5 occupations).
• Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds.
• Have no stronger ties to other provinces and not be inadmissible or ineligible under specific conditions.

Most recent Draw: November 20

Total Invitations in 2025: < 1045 invitations

Express Entry aligned: Yes

Ontario Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

Who it’s for

This stream is for foreign nationals—inside or outside Canada—who have a job offer in Ontario in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC). It includes eligible physicians, even those without a current job offer, under specific conditions. Unlike other streams, candidates must have either relevant work experience or mandatory licensing, depending on the occupation.

Eligibility highlights

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have received an invitation to apply after registering an Expression of Interest (EOI);
• Hold a valid job offer* in Ontario that is:
  • Full-time (minimum 30 hours/week, 1,560 hours/year);
  • Permanent (no end date);
  • In a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation; and
  • Paid at or above the median wage level for the region and occupation.
• The job offer must be urgently necessary to the employer’s business and be based primarily in Ontario;
• Have legal status in Canada (if applying from within the country);
• Demonstrate one of the following:
  • At least 2 years of cumulative paid full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) in the same NOC as the job offer, gained within the last 5 years, or
  • Hold a mandatory licence or authorization if the job is regulated in Ontario (no work experience required in this case);
• Show intent to live and work in Ontario post-permanent residence.

*Job offer requirement: Job offers must be from an employer who meets certain eligibility criteria, including business revenue thresholds, number of full-time Canadian/permanent resident employees, and domestic recruitment efforts (unless exempt).

Most Recent Draw: October 9

Total invitations in 2025: 4,128

Express Entry-aligned: No

Ontario Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

Who it’s For

This stream is designed for recent international graduates from eligible Canadian institutions who have received a full-time, permanent job offer in Ontario in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). It allows international students—inside or outside Canada—to apply for permanent residence without needing prior work experience.

Eligibility highlights

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have received an invitation to apply after registering an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP);
• Hold a job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation that meets detailed employer and position eligibility criteria, including:
  • Full-time (minimum 30 hours/week, 1,560 hours/year),
  • Permanent (no end date),
  • Located primarily in Ontario,
  • Urgently necessary to the employer’s business;
• Be offered a wage that meets or exceeds Ontario’s low wage level for the specific occupation and region;
• Have completed one of the following eligible education credentials within the last two years:
  • A full-time undergraduate diploma/degree (minimum two years) from an eligible Canadian institution;
  • A full-time graduate diploma or certificate (minimum one year) from an eligible Canadian or Ontario institution;
• Show that more than half of the program was completed while residing in Canada;
• Hold a valid licence or authorization if the job offer is in a regulated occupation;
• Intend to live and work in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident;
• Have legal status in Canada (if applying from within the country).

Most Recent Draw: October 9

Total Invitations in 2025: 5,540

Express Entry-aligned: Yes

Prince Edward Island Skilled Workers Outside Canada Stream

Who it’s For

This stream is for skilled foreign workers outside Canada who have received a job offer from a PEI employer in a high-skilled occupation. It targets talent recruitment to meet labour shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, trades, and childcare, and requires the employer to be pre-authorized by the PEI Office of Immigration before an Expression of Interest (EOI) is submitted.

Eligibility highlights

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer* from a PEI employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation;
• Ensure the employer has received authorization from the Office of Immigration before submitting the EOI;
• Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience within the past 5 years;
• Have legal status in their current country of residence;
• Hold a post-secondary diploma or degree (minimum two years);
• Be between the ages of 18 and 59;
• Meet the language requirement, either through:
• A valid language test (minimum CLB/NCLC 4) from an IRCC-approved provider, or
  • Employer confirmation of sufficient English/French proficiency on official form (PEIW-02);
  • Possess sufficient financial resources to cover immigration and settlement expenses;
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

*Job Offer Requirement: Job offers must be pre-authorized by PEI’s Office of Immigration and meet conditions of being permanent or at least two years in duration.

Most recent draw: November 20

Total invitations in 2025: > 659 invitations

Express Entry-aligned: No

More options to come?

Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan detailed a rise in next year’s admissions under the PNP by 41,000 spots (as compared to 2025 totals)—indicating a significant shift towards higher provincial immigration in 2026

While it is impossible to predict with certainty, the scheduled increase in PNP allocations next year may mean that candidates who are willing to move to secure a provincial nomination will find more options to do so, as provinces find more leeway in their immigration programs to invite out-of-province candidates; however, this remains to be seen.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams