5 Easiest Provinces to Get PR in Canada

Canada has ten provinces and three northern territories. The participating provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories make up the three territories.

The way they are governed distinguishes a province from a territory. The territories are governed by the federal government and have delegated powers under the control of the Canadian Parliament. On the other side, the provinces can use their constitutional rights.

One of the most significant ways Canadian provinces govern themselves is by choosing who they let into the region to immigrate through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Different provinces have different needs, and the way in which they encourage foreign workers to move to their particular province, depends on what those needs are.

What Makes a Province ‘Easy to Get PR?’

Provinces use Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to find suitable candidates for their region. The PNPs have incredible benefits to both provinces that need to fill labour gaps - candidates who wish to settle in a particular province must have an in-demand skill set that the province falls short of.

According to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), David Allon, who assists clients in making their move to Canada, "The provinces have discussions all the time with the central government about the needs for human capital in their province, mainly in order to boost their economy, and according to that, they reach agreements with the central government on their PNP programs."

Additionally, 'easy' and 'hard' provinces may be subjective based on individual skills and provincial requirements, but there are various reasons why these five provinces are considered 'easy' to get Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) status.

With regard to the level of difficulty of getting PR, David says, "There are differences in conditions between province to province according to the specific needs of the different provinces. You can not state in an objective way what is an easy immigration program and what is hard. This depends on the profile of the candidate. One program can be very easy to one candidate but very hard to the other, and vice versa."

What is a PNP?

Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) are a key part of Canada’s immigration policy. Out of the thirteen provinces and territories, eleven of them have PNPs, which allowed the region to invite skilled foreign workers to settle in a specific province. Between 2021 and 2023, over 250,000 people are expected to immigrate to Canada through a provincial nomination program. While there are only 11 PNPs, there are over 80 different programs and streams available to foreigners.

While many PNPs need a link to the province, such as a job offer, employment history, or educational qualification, there are certain programs that just invite people based on their capacity to meet demographic or labour shortfalls.

Generally speaking, this list covers programs that have fewer requirements, better benefits that are easily accessible or have a large quota for inviting candidates, meaning your odds increase. However, it's always helpful to find out if you're eligible from the get-go.

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Here are the 5 Easiest Provinces to Get PR in Canada

1. Saskatchewan

Nestled between Alberta and Manitoba, and in the center of the prairies is the province of Saskatchewan. The majority of people in Saskatchewan reside in the southern half of the province, particularly in Saskatoon and Regina. Agriculture is the main economic sector of the province, followed by mining, oil, and natural gas extraction.

Regina, the capital of the province, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert are the principal cities. The most popular outdoor activities in Saskatchewan include fishing, hunting, and other sports. One of the most beautiful campuses in Canada is the University of Saskatchewan's historic Saskatoon campus.

About Saskatchewan’s PNP

Saskatchewan's strong economic development and employment prospects have made it a popular place for foreigners to settle. Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)has two important streams: The International Skilled Worker PNP under and Express Entry streams. They are intended to attract candidates with experience in the in-demand professions in the province. These International Skilled Worker streams use a Canadian Expression of Interest (EOI) system to manually select applicants.

Candidates who qualify for Express Entry can submit an application through the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream to have their application for Canadian permanent residency - Express Entry applications can be processed more quickly. However, people who are unable to submit an Express Entry profile can still apply through the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand stream.

What to expect from Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry streams

• Candidates must have at least one year of experience in a field that is not on the SINP's Excluded Occupations List in order to submit an EOI.
• English or French language proficiency is required, as well as having successfully completed at least one year of post-secondary study.
• Any applicant who satisfies Saskatchewan's minimum eligibility requirements, which include earning at least 60 points on their Points Assessment Grid, is eligible to submit an EOI profile.
• Submitted profiles are taken into account in an EOI draw run by SINP. In SINP EOI drawings, only applicants with the most competitive SINP scores and in-demand professions are invited.

Did you know? While other provinces only take into consideration direct relatives living in the province (parents, siblings and children), Saskatchewan counts cousins and other relatives as having family in the province, and therefore proving ties to the region.

2. Alberta

Alberta, which is in Western Canada, is home to some of the most well-liked natural attractions in the nation. The province of Alberta is well-known for its abundant natural gas and oil reserves, cattle ranching, Rocky Mountains, and Dinosaur Provincial Park.

The fourth and fifth most popular cities in Canada among immigrants are Calgary and Edmonton, respectively. Find out how the cost of living in Alberta compares to the Cost of Living in Canada here.

By population, Calgary is the biggest city in Alberta. Calgary is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts since it is situated in the foothills of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. The renowned Calgary Stampede & Exhibition, one of the biggest outdoor rodeos in the world, is also held in Calgary.

About Alberta’s PNP

Alberta is a significant province for potential immigrants because of its strong employment market and excellent educational system.

From the federal Express Entry pool, applicants are chosen by the Alberta Express Entry stream to submit applications for provincial nomination. The fact that this stream accepts Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300, implies that more applicants will have an opportunity to hear from the province and get a Notification of Interest.

This might improve a candidate's chances:

• An eligible relative who resides in Alberta and is a citizen or permanent resident;
• a job offer or employment history in Alberta;
• and a degree or certificate earned from a post-secondary school in Canada.

The federal Express Entry program serves as the foundation for Alberta's Express Entry stream. A candidate's CRS score will rise by 600 points as a result of winning a provincial nomination, thereby ensuring that they will be offered a PR Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the upcoming Express Entry lottery.

Alberta is frequently regarded as one of the simplest jurisdictions in Canada to obtain PR due to its low CRS requirement.

Additionally, there is no precise list of jobs or occupations in Alberta. For immigrants who have recently graduated from college or have little work experience, it works effectively.

3. Ontario

One of the Easiest Provinces to Get PR in Canada is Ontario. Immigrants looking for work from around the world frequently choose to settle in Ontario because of its robust economy. Ontario, which is home to the well-known city of Toronto, features several corporate buildings and a vibrant way of life. Ontario gives priority to talented people who match the roles that are open for employment in the province.

About Ontario’s PNP

The Canadian province of Ontario has consistently demonstrated an interest in individuals who are technically qualified. The recommended candidates are those who work in developing industries like data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Their priorities for human capital are compatible with the government Express Entry program.

Ontario wants to bring in even more immigrants despite having one of the highest immigrant quotas among all the provinces. To aid the province's labor deficit, Ontario's Labour Minister Monte McNaughton has proposed to quadruple the number of immigrants permitted under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) from 9,000 to 18,000 people.

The Ontario Human Capital Priorities stream is a wonderful choice for people who reside outside of Canada. This stream gives priority to qualified candidates who can fill skilled job vacancies in the province.

A total of 3,513 applicants were nominated by Ontario in 2021 for their Human Capital Priorities stream - about half of these nominees received invitations through OINP's targeted tech draw.

Since Ontario has large immigration quotas and frequently organizes draws, it is one of the simplest provinces in Canada for qualified applicants to get Canadian permanent residency.

4. Nova Scotia

Despite being the second-smallest province in the nation, Nova Scotia has the second-highest population density. It is a member of Atlantic Canada and one of the three maritime provinces.

The provincial capital of Halifax, as well as Sydney, Wolfville, and Peggy's Cove, are the major cities you can find in the oldest province Canada.

The Stronghold of Louisbourg, a National Historic Site and home of a partial restoration of an 18th-century French fortress, as well as seafood like fresh lobster feasts, are among Nova Scotia's most well-known attractions.

There are several financial institutions, companies, and agencies in the province of Nova Scotia. Candidates with the necessary qualifications in financial studies might find excellent work prospects in these stable financial companies. Working here almost assures immigrants and their families of a secure future. People who work or study in the finance industry are often advised to apply for Canadian citizenship through Nova Scotia.

The province is a dream location for many potential newcomers due to its proximity to the seaside, affordable cost of living, and laid-back lifestyle.

About Nova Scotia’s PNP

The Express Entry pool is also used to choose candidates directly under Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities.This stream is regarded as one of the simpler PNPs for international candidates to receive PR since it frequently attracts profiles without a link to the province.

Prior to its admission rounds, Nova Scotia does not disclose the industries or selection criteria it would be using - although it frequently invites applicants without any ties to the province. Candidates must express interest in Nova Scotia and have a current Express Entry profile.

5. Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is another one of the three Maritime provinces and is made up of a number of islands (232, including the main island), the biggest of which has the same name.

By both population and land area, it is Canada's smallest province. Prince Edward Island is most known for the novel Anne of Green Gables, which is set there, and the delectable mussels found in the nearby seas. Its largest city is Charlottetown, the provincial capital.

About Prince Edward Island’s PNP

Candidates in the federal Express Entry pool must submit a Canadian Expression of Interest to get an Interest Letter from PEI. After receiving a Letter of Interest, candidates can submit an application for provincial nomination.

Notably, Candidates do not need to have a job offer from a PEI employer to submit a Canadian expression of interest. Rather, candidates who satisfy the province's existing labour needs in terms of skills and knowledge will be taken into consideration for the Express Entry PNP.

Get PR More Easily

Now that you know the Easiest Provinces to Get PR in Canada, you can take the next step in your journey to Canada. If you’d like to find out more about the requirements for these PNPs and whether you meet them, contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant like David Allon. The RCICs that work with us have a wealth of knowledge and are available to assist you.

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FAQS

What PNP Should I apply for?

The PNP you apply for depends on your skills, career, age, experience and general eligibility. Your contributions need to match the needs of the province. You’ll need to check your eligibility through a reliable source to find out which PNP you should go for. However, a good recommendation would be the Program for Immigrant Nominees in Alberta (AINP)

The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program is one of the simplest in Canada for obtaining a nomination for Canada PR and subsequently the PR itself. The AINP's Express Entry-aligned Stream extends invitations to candidates with CRS scores as low as 300.

How Long Does My PNP last?

If a province, for example, Ontario accepts your application, OINP will send you an email through your online account alerting you of your nomination. To accept Ontario's nomination in the Express Entry system, you have 30 days.

You will gain 600 more CRS points for being nominated by Ontario, and Refugees, Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite you to apply for permanent residency. You will then have 60 days from the time IRCC extends an invitation to apply to submit a permanent residency application.

Am I guaranteed PR through a PNP?

If a province has nominated you to immigrate to Canada and reside in a particular province, it’s safe to say that barring complications, you should receive Permanent Residency status. While nothing is guaranteed, you can increase your chances of getting PR status by gaining an additional 600 points if you do get a PNP, which will increase your base Comprehensive Ranking System CRS score and your chances of being landed in Canada significantly