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Canada · skilled migration · Leads to settlement

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 7 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Province-led permanent residence streams giving a 600 CRS boost when aligned with Express Entry.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyPermanent residence.
Processing time
Variable: provincial stage 3–12 months, federal stage 6 months post-ITA.
Government fees
Federal IRCC fees: CAD 1,590 principal applicant including RPRF + CAD 85 biometrics; province-specific fees vary. Ontario Express Entry streams publish CAD 1,500; Alberta worker streams publish CAD 1,500 plus a CAD 135 Worker EOI fee.
Typical duration
Permanent residence.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed IRCC ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for Canada has a typical government cost of about CA$3,175. Sources: official Canada government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/canada/pnp#answer

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada?

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an unsponsored Canada route. Indicative government fees are Federal IRCC fees: CAD 1,590 principal applicant including RPRF + CAD 85 biometrics; province-specific fees vary. Ontario Express Entry streams publish CAD 1,500; Alberta worker streams publish CAD 1,500 plus a CAD 135 Worker EOI fee; indicative processing time is Variable: provincial stage 3–12 months, federal stage 6 months post-ITA; typical duration is Permanent residence. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against IRCC on 1 July 2026.

Canada Express Entry money stack

Canada FSW, CEC and PNP cost and proof-of-funds answer

The route guide answers eligibility. This stack keeps the separate money answer beside it: IRCC fees, third-party preparation costs, settlement funds and province fees.

RouteMandatory paid-away baselineProof-of-funds ruleProvince layer
Federal Skilled WorkerCA$2,275-CA$3,055CA$15,263 show-only settlement funds unless the applicant is authorized to work in Canada and has a valid job offer.No province fee in the base FSW route.
Canadian Experience ClassCA$2,075-CA$3,005CEC settlement funds are CA$0 in the model because IRCC says CEC invitees do not need proof of settlement funds.No province fee unless the applicant also uses a PNP stream.
Express Entry PNPCA$3,775-CA$4,555CA$15,263 show-only funds unless the invitation/program basis creates a CEC or valid-job-offer exemption.Province layer included: CA$1,500 Ontario-style nomination fee, with province-specific variation.

Paid fees versus funds

Refundable settlement funds are not fees paid away. They are a cash-flow barrier that must stay separate from IRCC processing fees, the right of permanent residence fee, biometrics, language tests, ECA, medicals, police certificates and province-specific nomination fees.

Source dates: FSW checked 21 July 2026, CEC checked 1 July 2026, PNP checked 1 July 2026. Latest source record in this cluster: 21 July 2026. These figures separate paid-away charges from proof-of-funds requirements so you can compare budgets without treating available funds as a fee.

Overview

PNPs allow provinces and territories to nominate candidates aligned with local labour needs and residence intent. For Express Entry-linked PNP, IRCC says the candidate must qualify for both the provincial stream and one federal Express Entry program; a confirmed nomination adds 600 CRS points, which normally makes the federal invitation the easy part. Costs are split: province-specific nomination fees first, then federal permanent-residence fees, biometrics and any proof-of-funds, language-test, ECA, medical, police-certificate or translation costs.

Recent changes to this route

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Identify relevant stream

    Match profile to specific provincial stream.

  2. Apply provincially

    Use the province portal or notification-of-interest process; pay the province-specific fee if charged.

  3. Accept or update nomination in Express Entry

    A confirmed Express Entry PNP nomination gives 600 additional CRS points.

  4. Apply federally after ITA

    Submit the permanent-residence application with IRCC fees, biometrics, documents, medicals and police certificates.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to CanadaFirst steps after arrivingDestination moving checklist

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Canada. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Find PNP application path ↗

    Applicants use this IRCC page to choose the correct provincial stream before the federal PR stage.

    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · verified

  2. ApplyApplicant
    Apply through Express Entry PNP ↗

    Use this IRCC page after a province or territory nominates you through an Express Entry stream.

    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · verified

Fees and processing time

A typical Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) application runs about CA$3,175 in government fees (single Ontario Express Entry nominee, no dependants). The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I choose any province for PNP?+

Each province runs its own streams with different eligibility (often requiring a genuine connection via work, study, or job offer). Candidates must intend to reside in the nominating province.

How much does Express Entry PNP cost in Canada?+

For a single applicant, the federal IRCC permanent-residence fee is CAD 1,590 including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, plus CAD 85 biometrics. Provincial fees are separate: Ontario Express Entry streams publish CAD 1,500, while Alberta worker streams publish CAD 1,500 plus a CAD 135 Worker EOI fee. Budget separately for language tests, ECA, medicals, police certificates and translations.

Does a PNP nomination guarantee an Express Entry invitation?+

An Express Entry-linked provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points after it is confirmed in the profile. That normally makes an ITA very likely, but the applicant must still qualify for the provincial stream, one federal Express Entry program and the federal permanent-residence admissibility checks.

Do Express Entry PNP applicants need settlement funds?+

Often yes. IRCC says FSW and Federal Skilled Trades applicants need proof of funds unless they are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need proof of settlement funds, but the online checklist may still ask for an explanatory letter.

How long does a Provincial Nominee Program application take end to end?+

Timelines vary: the provincial nomination stage typically runs 3 to 12 months, and the federal stage takes about 6 months after the Invitation to Apply. PNP streams also pause and reopen frequently, which affects when you can apply.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Canada

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: IRCC

Last checked: 1 July 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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