Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Canada: How It Works in 2026

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets Canadian provinces and territories choose immigrants who meet their local labour needs and intend to live there. You first apply to a province or territory for a nomination. You then apply to IRCC for permanent residence, either through Express Entry (an “enhanced” nomination worth 600 CRS points) or through a separate non-Express Entry application (a “base” nomination). For 2026, Canada set a PNP target of 91,500 admissions, up from 55,000 in 2025.

Key points

• 11 provinces and territories run PNPs. Quebec and Nunavut do not (IRCC).
• An enhanced nomination adds 600 CRS points. In 2026, PNP-only Express Entry rounds closed between 697 and 805.
• The 2026 PNP target is 91,500 (range 82,000–105,000), and 92,500 is planned for 2027 and 2028.
• Several provinces redesigned their programs in 2026. Ontario closed its Express Entry-linked streams, and BC moved to Care, Build and Innovate priorities.
• Each province sets its own streams, fees and selection rules. Requirements can change quickly.

Who runs a PNP

Has a PNP	No PNP
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon	Quebec (separate selection system), Nunavut

Base vs enhanced nominations

	Enhanced (Express Entry-linked)	Base (non-Express Entry)
Who it suits	People who also qualify for FSW, CEC or FST	People who qualify for a provincial stream but not a federal Express Entry program
Federal application	Online through Express Entry after an invitation	Separate PR application to IRCC
CRS points	+600	Not applicable
Typical speed	Generally faster	Generally slower; check IRCC processing times

IRCC says the province or territory will tell you which process applies to your stream. Base streams often serve workers in TEER 4–5 jobs or people who do not meet the federal language or experience rules. One example is Ontario’s TEER 4–5 pathway, which requires CLB 4.

What 600 points means in practice

With 600 points added, almost any eligible candidate jumps to the top of the pool. IRCC’s rounds data shows 19 PNP rounds between January 1 and October 1, 2026. They invited 9,270 candidates, with cutoffs from 697 to 805. A nominee with a base score of 205 or more would have cleared every one of those rounds. The real competition is at the provincial stage.

How the PNP process works

Enhanced route

1. Check you qualify for a federal Express Entry program and a provincial Express Entry-linked stream.
2. Create an Express Entry profile. Some provinces search the pool and send a “notification of interest.” Others require you to register an expression of interest (EOI) with the province.
3. Apply to the province if invited and pay any provincial fee.
4. Accept the nomination in your Express Entry account. Your CRS score rises by 600.
5. Get an invitation in a PNP round and submit your PR application within 60 days.

Base route

1. Apply to the province under a non-Express Entry stream. Many use an EOI or registration system.
2. Receive a nomination certificate.
3. Submit a PR application to IRCC within the deadline on your nomination.
4. Complete medicals, police certificates and biometrics, then wait for a decision.

Either way, the province decides on the nomination and IRCC makes the final decision on admissibility, including health, security and criminality.

Why the target rose to 91,500 in 2026

Under the 2025–2027 plan, the PNP target was cut to 55,000 for 2025 (range 20,000–65,000). The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, tabled on November 4, 2025, raised it again:

Year	PNP target	Range	Federal High Skilled (Express Entry)
2025	55,000	20,000–65,000	—
2026	91,500	82,000–105,000	109,000
2027	92,500	82,000–106,000	111,000
2028	92,500	82,000–106,000	111,000

Source: IRCC Levels Plan annex. The 2027 and 2028 figures are notional.

The overall PR target stayed at 380,000 while temporary resident arrivals were cut. A larger share of PR spaces therefore went to programs where provinces pick people, often people already working in the province. IRCC also announced an In-Canada Workers Initiative on May 4, 2026. It aims to move up to 33,000 PNP, Atlantic and pilot applicants who have lived in smaller communities for at least two years to PR in 2026–2027, with no new application needed. See the 33,000-worker initiative.

Provincial allocations

Each province receives a yearly nomination allocation from IRCC. Officially confirmed 2026 changes include:

• British Columbia: 1,000 more nominations announced August 18, 2026, bringing the 2026 total to 6,254 (WelcomeBC).
• Alberta: 200 more nominations on August 10, 2026, for a total of 6,603 (Alberta.ca).

Saskatchewan’s 2026 allocation has been reported as 4,761. Figures for several other provinces are not yet confirmed on official sites. We track them in PNP allocations 2026 by province.

2026 changes in the largest provinces

Ontario (OINP)

Ontario replaced its eight former streams with one Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The regulations took effect June 25, 2026, and the EOI portal opened August 4, 2026. It has pathways for TEER 0–3 jobs (CLB 6, or CLB 5 for some occupations, plus a post-secondary credential), TEER 4–5 jobs (CLB 4 and high school), and self-employed physicians. Ontario’s three Express Entry-linked streams (Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades) are closed. Since October 5, 2026, EOIs earn 10 points for earnings of $80,000 or more in a single year within the past five years (Ontario.ca). Details are in our OINP Workforce Priority guide.

British Columbia (BC PNP)

BC reorganized around three priorities on April 23, 2026. Care covers 36 in-demand occupations in health, education, childcare and veterinary care. Build covers 9 key skilled trades. Innovate continues High Economic Impact invitations. The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream closed, and no new student streams are being launched. The Skills Immigration application fee rose from $1,475 to $1,750 on January 22, 2026.

Alberta (AAIP)

Alberta’s Express Entry stream works through Notifications of Interest sent to candidates in the federal pool. You cannot apply without one. Alberta does not publish detailed draw parameters. Current stream details are on Alberta.ca.

How to choose a province

Provinces want people who will stay, so start with real connections and needs. Do not pick a province just because its program looks easier. Useful questions:

• Where is your job or job offer? Many streams depend on employment in the province.
• Is your occupation a priority there? BC prioritizes care and building trades. Saskatchewan has been reported to prioritize sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and trades. Alberta has named health care, technology and construction among its focuses.
• Do you have ties there? Past study, work or family in a province can matter in some streams.
• Do you speak French? Several provinces have francophone-focused streams or draws.
• Does the stream link to Express Entry? If you qualify for Express Entry, an enhanced stream is usually faster than a base stream.

Common misconceptions

• “A nomination is a PR approval.” It is not. IRCC still assesses eligibility, health, security and criminality.
• “Every province has Express Entry streams.” Not in 2026. Ontario closed its three Express Entry-linked streams.
• “Allocations going up means rules got easier.” Higher allocations mean more nominations overall. Each stream still has its own criteria, and many were tightened or reorganized in 2026.
• “Third parties can get you a nomination.” Provinces make nomination decisions themselves. Be wary of anyone selling a guaranteed nomination or a job offer.

Fees

You pay the province’s fee, if any (for example, BC Skills Immigration is $1,750), plus IRCC’s economic PR fees. As of October 2026, those are $1,590 for the principal applicant (including the $600 right of permanent residence fee), $1,590 for a spouse, $270 per child, and $85 biometrics per person (IRCC fee list).

What to do next

1. Decide which provinces fit your occupation, location and ties. Read each one’s official stream page, not just summaries.
2. If you qualify for Express Entry, create a profile and make sure your NOC code, language results and work history are accurate. Provinces search on these.
3. Register EOIs where a province requires them, and keep them up to date.
4. Read the Express Entry guide for the federal side, and visit the Canada hub for other pathways.

Provincial rules change often, and nomination decisions are made by provincial officials. For advice on a specific stream, consult a licensed RCIC or Canadian immigration lawyer.