Temporary residents in Canada may enhance their immigration opportunities by relocating to another province and applying through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
While most PNP streams have residency prerequisites, some provincial pathways are accessible to candidates not currently residing in that province. This means that if you obtain PR through these pathways, you would only need to move after receiving your new resident status.
This article will outline the PNP streams available for newcomers in Canada to apply to, even if they are not currently living in that province, which are active and continue to issue invitations to candidates.
Note: All PNPs mandate an intent to reside from eligible candidates. Before being nominated by a province, candidates must declare their intent to relocate to that province for living and working purposes. PNP candidates who receive PR are required to move and settle in the nominating province.
Many of the streams discussed in this article are Express Entry-aligned or enhanced, allowing provinces to invite candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for nomination if they meet a PNP’s immigration priorities.
The following table provides details on provinces and streams available to candidates from outside the province, along with those that have conducted draws in the last two months, indicating active streams:
| Province | PNP Stream |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Alberta Express Entry Stream |
| British Columbia | Skilled Worker Stream |
| Entrepreneur Stream (Base and Regional) | |
| Manitoba | Skilled Worker Overseas |
| Ontario | Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student stream | |
| Prince Edward Island | Skilled Worker Outside PEI |
Alberta Express Entry Stream
Who it’s for
The Alberta Express Entry stream is designed for skilled foreign nationals within or outside Alberta with an active Express Entry profile and experience in Alberta’s priority sectors like tech, healthcare, construction, agriculture, aviation, or law enforcement.
The stream conducts general draws and includes specific pathways for law enforcement, healthcare, and tech workers.
Eligibility highlights
To be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry stream, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile, meet the stream’s minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and demonstrate work experience in Alberta’s priority sectors.