Provincial Nominations Programs

Most of Canada's Provincial governments have entered into agreements with the Federal Immigration Department that allows them to select some of their own Immigrants. These are called Provincial Nomination Program's (PNP's). When a Province selects an immigrant they do so, they issue a Selection Certificate. The applicant can then apply to the Canadian Federal Visa Office for an Immigrant Visa without having to pass the Federal qualifications for the selection (the "Points System "). They only have to pass the medical and security checks. PNP applications can be much faster than normal processing times for Permanent Resident Applications.

Quebec has had a PNP since 1979 and even has its own Visa Offices overseas. The other Provinces have only been active in this field in the last five years.

Each Province has its own PNP and no two are the same. For example, Quebec and Manitoba have a Point system for worker immigrants similar to the Federal Point System but structured in a way that makes it easier to pass. For example Quebec gives high marks for French language ability, while Manitoba gives priority to people who are working or studying in Manitoba.

Each Province may have a separate program for Workers and for Business People.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP)

New Brunswick, the largest of Canada 's three Maritime Provinces, is located under Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula and beside the State of Maine. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is now the second-largest sector in the province with more than 700 innovative new economy companies employing over 30,000 people and generating revenues of over $2.1 billion annually. New Brunswick is the only constitutionally bilingual province (French and English). The provincial capital is Fredericton.

• New Brunswick Government
• Service New Brunswick

Quebec Investor Program

Quebec is the largest Canadian province in area and the second largest in population after Ontario. Quebec has a population of 700,000. Quebec is a mainly French-speaking society. However, there are some areas in Quebec that speaks only English. Cost of life and education is lower than Ontario. Each year, Québec welcomes an average of some 45,000 immigrants from over 100 countries who actively participate in its economic, social and cultural development. Free language classes provided by MICC (Ministry of Immigration and Community Cultural) are available for everyone in this province. You will be assisted by a financial assistance by the government of Quebec for attending the full time French courses. Your children will also be taken care of while attending these classes.

As a Quebec Investor applicant you must:

* Have net assets of at least CAD $1.6 million obtained legally (including your wife or husband)

* Have experience in management (at least two years in the five years preceding the date of application)

* Invest CAD $800,000 with the government of Quebec.

• Quebec Immigration

Manitoba

The secret of Manitoba’s low business costs is a cost of living that allows Manitobans to live better for less. Living costs here are some of the most affordable in Canada, with house prices, auto insurance, electricity, university or college tuition and more all available at some of the lowest costs in Canada. High quality public health care is available free to residents.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Immigration Program for Business

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

* Minimum personal net worth: CAD $350,000

* Minimum amount of equity investment in Manitoba: CAD $150,000

* Demonstrated business experience or a minimum of three years experience in a senior management role of a successful company.

* Conducted an exploratory visit to Manitoba to investigate business opportunities and Manitoba’s quality of life for a minimum of seven days.

Following approval of your application you will be required to make a CAD$75,000 cash deposit to the government of Manitoba, guaranteeing the establishment or purchase of a business in Manitoba. The cash deposit will be refunded to you when the investment is made and the intended business is undertaken as outlined in your application.

• Immigration Manitoba

British Columbia

British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province and is set between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the magnificent Rocky Mountains in the east.

Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, BC is home to a geographical diversity that lends itself to a vast array of activities and adventures. There are mountains to climb, rivers to run, beaches to comb, forests to hike, parks to stroll and warm summer lakes to laze about on.

The province generally enjoys a temperate climate but where there are mountains, there is snow. Renowned for the steep and the deep of its world-class ski terrain, BC is bustling with energy and opportunity as it prepares for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Program Components

1: Strategic Occupations

The Strategic Occupations component of the Provincial Nominee Program supports B.C. employers who need to recruit or retain qualified foreign workers to help meet their current and future skill needs, and whose activities contribute to the Province’s economic development objectives. The employer and the prospective employee (nominee candidate) submit a joint application to the program. Read more >>

Foreign workers who do not have a job offer from a B.C. employer can not apply directly to the program. If you are a potential immigrant looking for employment opportunities in B.C., you may want to check these online sources.

2: Business Immigrants

This component of the program considers applications from experienced entrepreneurs who plan to invest in and actively manage a business in BC. Read more >>

• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program