Canada's Provincial Nominee Program

Explained

Applying For Permanent Canadian Citizenship Through The Provincial Nominee Program

• Canada has a constant need to fill different types of job positions across of variety of industries. These positions often have very specific requirements that are not always available in the local labor pool. This is one of the reasons that the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was first established.

• The program provides a clear path to Canadian citizenship for foreign individuals who are currently needed by the businesses in a particular area. The PNP allows one of the provinces or territories to support an individual for permanent citizenship that is granted through the federal government.

Applying For Permanent Canadian Citizenship Through The Provincial Nominee Program

Qualifications

• Individuals must have several basic qualifications in order to be considered for the PNP. The applicant must have professional skills or education in an area that currently requires employees in the province. This normally means that a person must have a sponsoring business or a current job offer. Some international graduates with specific skills are also considered.

Qualifications

• The applicant must be able to pass a criminal background check. Some crimes or open investigations might disqualify a person from receiving citizenship. Each province is allowed to change the rules and guidelines for the program to meet local needs. This means that the requirements for Ontario are different from the PNP requirements in Nova Scotia.

Applying For Provincial Nomination

• The application process starts at the provincial level. Most provinces require some type of printed verification from a local employer that there is a position waiting for the applicant. All of the required paperwork and forms must be filled out accurately and submitted to the correct offices. Even minor mistakes or omissions could delay the entire process.

Applying For Provincial Nomination

• The process is not simple especially for people who have not been living in Canada for many years. This is one reason why immigration consultants are frequently used to help prepare paperwork, to assist in filling out forms and to deal with unexpected problems.

Permanent Citizenship

• If a province nominates an individual for the PNP, then the next step is to file for permanent Canadian citizenship with a separate application. This second application allows Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to use the economic data and other information that has been provided to assess whether an individual meets all of the requirements to become a citizen.

Permanent Citizenship

• The average processing time from the receipt of the application to the final granting of citizenship is between one and two years depending on the country of origin. If the applicant is approved, then a Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa will be issued.

Issues To Consider

• Several additional issues need to be resolved in the months immediately before citizenship is granted. The applicant will have to pass a language test proving the ability to communicate effectively in English or French. A medical examination will need to be performed in order to check for communicable or chronic diseases that could cause problems within the province or the health care system.

Issues To Consider

• The final step is a citizenship test. This examination helps to determine whether an applicant understands the history, rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen.

Further Reading…

• For further information regarding the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program, or any Canadian immigration laws, consult Toronto’s best immigration lawyers, Bellissimo Law Group. Visit us today at http://www.bellissimolawgroup.com/ to learn more.