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Canada is the second-largest country in the world in land mass with a wide variety of industries, cultures, and places to make your home. Each of Canada's 13 provinces has its specific features and needs. The question is: what is the best province in Canada to live in? Gain a better understanding of which province or territory in Canada is the best to settle in by examining each province’s provincial nominee program.
What is a Provincial Nominee Program?
A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a Canadian immigration program that allows provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut, to nominate individuals interested in immigrating to a specific province or territory for permanent residence. PNPs offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals who have skills or work experience that can help the province or territory meet its economic development needs.
Find out more about Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs.
Which Province in Canada Has The Best PNP?
If you're looking to move to Canada using a provincial nomination, choosing where to live in Canada can often be based on how likely you are to get a provincial nomination. Each province or territory has different nomination programs, with specific requirements based on its economic and labor demands.
Manitoba
Manitoba, one of three Canadian prairie provinces, has immigration visa pathways that cater to various immigrants, including international students and prospective skilled workers. These immigration streams include:
| Program Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Manitoba Career Employment Pathway | This program is designed for students looking for long-term employment in Manitoba. The best way to get a provincial nomination from Manitoba is to work in one of the in-demand occupations. |
| Manitoba Graduate Internship Pathway | The Manitoba Graduate Internship Pathway route puts students doing their master's or doctorate training in Manitoba on the fast-track pathway to permanent residency during their internship. |
| Manitoba International Student Entrepreneur Pilot | This program is designed to give international students who have completed their studies in Manitoba the opportunity to start their own business in Manitoba rather than pursue employment. |
Find out more about the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Saskatchewan
Bordering the United States, Saskatchewan, situated centrally in Canada’s fertile prairie region, has four primary PNPs.
| Program Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker Category | This category specifically caters to international candidates under three streams, namely the: Employment Offer, Occupation in Demand, and Saskatchewan Express Entry streams. |
| Saskatchewan Work Experience Category | This is for candidates living and working in Saskatchewan with a valid work permit. This caters primarily to health, hospitality, and trucking jobs, students, and other skilled workers. |
| Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Category | This category is specifically for those planning on starting a new business in Saskatchewan. |
| Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator Category | This is for candidates who plan on buying and running a farm in Saskatchewan. |
Learn more about the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
New Brunswick
As an Atlantic Canadian province, New Brunswick has the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) to assist eligible immigrants to settle permanently in Atlantic Canada. Besides the AIP, New Brunswick also boasts the:
| Program Name | Description |
|---|---|
| New Brunswick Express Entry Stream | This system is for those who have applied to the Express Entry program and submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to live in New Brunswick. |
| New Brunswick Skilled Workers Stream | This is for candidates who already live in New Brunswick, have a full-time job offer, and have sufficient skills, education, and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick's economy. |
| New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream | For experienced business people looking to start or own a business within the province. |
Find out more about the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Another one of Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador has many PNP categories with New Brunswick. This includes several streams for immigration, each targeting specific groups of prospective immigrants. The main streams are:
| Program Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador Skilled Worker Category | This stream is for foreign nationals with a job offer from a Newfoundland and Labrador employer. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker Category | This stream is linked with the federal Express Entry system and is an expedited pathway for skilled workers. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate Category | This stream is for graduates from eligible post-secondary institutions who choose to remain in Canada. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador International Entrepreneur Category | This category is designed for foreign nationals with experience owning and managing businesses who want to establish a business in Newfoundland and Labrador. |
| Priority Skills NL | This stream is for highly educated and skilled individuals with experience in the province’s in-demand sectors. |
Learn more about the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program.
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) offers several immigration streams to attract and retain skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs who want to settle in Prince Edward Island permanently.
| Program Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island Skilled Worker Stream | This stream is for individuals who have been hired or will get hired by a PEI employer. |
| Prince Edward Island Critical Worker Stream | This stream is for workers in either a semi-skilled or unskilled profession. The individual must either be currently working for a PEI employer or have a job offer from a PEI employer. |
| Prince Edward Island International Graduate Stream | This stream is for recent graduates from recognized accredited Prince Edward Island universities and colleges. |
| PEI PNP Express Entry | The PEI PNP Express Entry is for candidates with a valid Express Entry profile who want to live and work in Prince Edward Island and have skills that match current identified labor market needs in the province. |
| Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category | This category is for individuals who wish to invest in a PEI business or establish a new one. |
Find out more about the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia offers several immigration streams to attract and retain skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs. The following are some of the major streams under the NSNP.
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry | This stream targets highly skilled individuals with work experience in Nova Scotia's in-demand occupations. |
| Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry | This stream targets highly skilled individuals with work experience in Nova Scotia's in-demand occupations. |
| Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities | This stream allows the province to prioritize specific occupations to meet its labor market needs. |
| Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream | This stream enables Nova Scotia employers to recruit foreign workers. If a skilled worker receives a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, they may be able to apply this stream. |
Furthermore, Nova Scotia boasts PNP streams for business and health worker immigrants. This includes the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream, Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, and Nova Scotia Physician Stream.
Learn more about the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program.
Northwest Territories
If you're wondering where to live in Canada and have an affinity for natural beauty, the Northwest Territories could be your place. The Northwest Territories have four primary PNP streams. This includes:
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream | This stream is designed to help employers hire critically needed and skilled workers. It targets qualified foreign nationals who can successfully assist with skilled worker shortages in the region. |
| Northwest Territories Business Stream | This stream is geared towards foreign nationals who can start, acquire, or invest in an existing Northwest Territories business. |
| Northwest Territories Francophone Stream | This stream targets French-speaking immigrants who wish to settle in the Northwest Territories. |
| Northwest Territories Express Entry Stream | This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system and targets skilled workers who have a job offer from an eligible Northwest Territories employer. |
Find out more about the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program.
Yukon
Next to the Northwest Territories is the Yukon, perfect for those who like large, unspoiled wilderness. Yukon caters to immigrants who are eligible for the following streams:
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Yukon Critical Impact Worker | This stream is for qualified workers with semi-skilled work experience |
| Yukon Skilled Worker Stream | Under this stream, Yukon employers may nominate foreign nationals working in skilled occupations for Canadian permanent residence. |
| Yukon Express Entry System | This program is aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration system, enabling successful applicants to receive expedited processing on their immigration applications. |
| Yukon Community Program | This program includes a Critical Impact Worker and Skilled Worker stream and is designed to address the specific economic and labor market needs of the Yukon. |
Learn more about the Yukon Provincial Nominee Program.
British Columbia
When immigrants consider where to live in Canada, British Columbia is always high on people's list as it has one of Canada's biggest cities - Vancouver. British Columbia has primarily three PNP categories. This includes:
British Columbia Skills Immigration Stream
This stream is for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates, post-graduates, and entry-level and semi-skilled workers. It’s divided into categories such as the Skilled Worker, Healthcare Professional, International Graduate, and International Postgraduate streams. Under the skilled worker umbrella, the British Columbia Tech Pilot is perfect for tech worker immigrants.
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Express Entry British Columbia Stream | This stream is for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates, and post-graduates. |
| British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Stream | This stream is for entrepreneurs who want to establish themselves in British Columbia. It’s divided into the Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Category and the Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot. |
Find out more about the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
Alberta
Alberta is one of Canada's most densely populated provinces, host to Edmonton and Calgary. The Alberta Advantage Nominee Program (AAIP) categories include:
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Alberta Opportunity Stream | This stream targets foreign nationals already working in Alberta and have an official job offer in the province. |
| Alberta Express Entry Stream | The Alberta Express Entry Stream stream allows the province to offer provincial nominations to select candidates with active profiles in the federal Express Entry system. |
| Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | The Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start a business in Alberta. |
| Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for foreign nationals who graduated from outside Canada and want to start a business in Alberta. |
Additionally, If you work in the agricultural industry, you can immigrate to Alberta using the Rural Renewal Stream, Farm Stream, and Alberta General Express Entry Stream. Lastly, if you have experience working in the tech industry, you can streamline your path to Alberta with the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway.
Learn more about the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program.
FAQs
What Are The Main Benefits of Applying For Permanent Residence Through a PNP?
The main benefits of applying for Canadian permanent residency via PNPs include having an alternate pathway to permanent residence, streamlined processing, economic opportunities, and access to healthcare, education, and social services.
What Can I Do If I Am Not Nominated by a Province or Territory?
If you are not nominated by a province or territory, you can consider applying through other immigration streams, such as the Express Entry system or the Family Class Sponsorship program. Furthermore, you can continue to research and prepare for future PNP application opportunities by improving your qualifications, and language proficiency, and networking with professionals in your field.
