Get to Know the 10 Canadian Provinces (+Pros and Cons)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs)
If you wish to immigrate to a particular Canadian province or territory, you may use Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) as a pathway towards permanent residency in Canada. According to their particular economic and demographic circumstances, each province and territory has its own PNP.
10 Canadian Provinces (+ Immigration Programs)
Canada is divided into 10 provinces, each of which has unique economic and geographic requirements. For the Provincial Nominee Programs, you need to demonstrate that you can fulfill the specific needs of your province or territory while also contributing to the economy. We’ve given information about each province to assist you in making your decision, including the advantages and disadvantages of moving there.
Table of Contents
1. The Province of Alberta | Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
An economic immigration program in Alberta, known as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), selects individuals for long-term residency. Candidates should be able to address employment gaps in Alberta, or have plans to purchase or establish a company there. Furthermore, they must be able to support themselves and their loved ones financially.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Alberta
- Jobs with higher salaries
- Less taxes
- Low cost of living
- Plenty of recreational attractions
- Higher crime rates than other provinces
- Does not have very good roads and highways
2. The Province of British Columbia | British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
The economic development of British Columbia is dependent on the availability of highly skilled and qualified workers to fulfill the demands of the labour market. The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides a pathway to permanent residence in British Columbia for in-demand foreign employees and experienced entrepreneurs.
Pros and Cons of Moving to British Columbia
- Great transportation, such as the SkyTrain
- Enjoyable weather
- Beautiful scenery
- Highest-ranking education system
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Limited activities to try and discover
3. The Province of Manitoba | Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Recent graduates, skilled employees, and business owners may be eligible to apply for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Applicants must intend to settle and establish themselves in Manitoba as long-term citizens.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Manitoba
- High quality of life
- Multicultural environment
- Clean surroundings
- In-expensive cost of living
- Plenty of job opportunities
- Extreme weather
- Outdated public transportation
4. Newfoundland and Labrador Province | Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
Recent graduates, skilled employees, and business owners may be eligible to apply for The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP). Applicants must intend to settle and establish themselves in Manitoba as long-term citizens.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Newfoundland and Labrador Province
- Low crime rate
- Magnificent natural scenery
- Low cost of living
- Immigrant-friendly
- Various amusement attractions
- Extreme weather
- Undeveloped public transportation
- Less job opportunities
5. New Brunswick Province | New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) is for foreign nationals who have the education, training, and job experience necessary to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy significantly. In addition, the candidate must satisfy basic qualifying criteria, have a genuine job offer from a New Brunswick employer, and want to live and work permanently in the province.
Pros and Cons of Moving to New Brunswick
- Low daily living expenses
- Natural attractions
- Affordable housing
- Friendly locals
- High unemployment rates
- Harsh weather
6. The Province of Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is the province’s nominee program. A Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate may be issued to potential immigrants who meet the province’s requirements for skills and experience in certain industries.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Nova Scotia
- Plenty of greenery
- Friendly to immigrants
- Near the ocean
- Not suitable for young couples or young workers (dull environment)
- Takes hours to get to less boring areas
7. The Province of Ontario | Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Ontario’s PNP is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). For those who have the qualifications, such as foreign workers and students, the OINP accepts nominations from these groups. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) identifies and recommends individuals for permanent residence whose talents and expertise are in high demand in Ontario’s economy.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Ontario
- High income
- Various job opportunities/high employment rate
- A good mix of city and suburban living
- High cost of living
- Extreme winters
- Heavy traffic
8. Prince Edward Island Province | Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
With Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), qualified applicants may be nominated by the province for permanent residence in Canada via one out of the three categories from the province’s various immigration streams: PEI Express Entry, PEI Labour Impact, and PEI Business.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Price Edward Island
- Low cost of living
- Affordable housing
- Great for families
- Plenty of year round cultural festivals
- Near the ocean
- Low employment
- Colder summers
- Traffic and lack of public transportation
9. The Province of Quebec | Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) was created by the province to allow highly educated and skilled workers to immigrate to Quebec.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Quebec
- Rich in cultural heritage
- Various natural attractions
- Great opportunities for French speaking immigrants
- Less English speaking locals
- High unemployment rates
10. Saskatchewan Province | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) allows foreigners to become permanent residents of Canada. The PNP is deliberately intended to recruit immigrants in areas that would benefit the province: skilled workers, foreign workers with job offers, and entrepreneurs.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Saskatchewan
- Less taxes
- Plenty of space
- Rich cultural history
- Various natural attractions
- High crime rates
- Extreme weather
- Lack of entertainment
How to Apply for PNP?
However, although the immigration procedure, in general, may be difficult to understand, the PNP does not have to be so. There are several easy steps that you can do to begin applying for a PNP, regardless of the province you want to go for.
You may check your eligibility through a Canada immigration expert, such as CanadaCIS! We provide you with an eligibility assessment to determine whether or not your skills and work experience is valid for a specific PNP.
Once you’ve determined your eligibility to move to Canada, you may then start your application process. Our top-rated experts can help you through every part of the process, such as gathering all requirements needed to apply and even submitting the application on your behalf.
There’s no exact amount of time to process your application. Each application is different and will ultimately depend on how eligible you are to immigrate to Canada.
For a better idea of how long it may take to process your application, you may check the government of Canada’s official website, where they can provide you with an estimate based on your application type.
Once you’ve gathered all necessary documents, it’s time to submit them to the IRCC. You may do this on your own or with the help of our immigration experts.
This is it! You’ve come to the final step of your application, moving to Canada! If you were not able to receive a nomination from your chosen province, you can always revise your applications and submit again.
How to Move from One Canadian Province to Another?
Any PNP nominated immigrant who is having trouble getting accustomed to life in a specific province is free to relocate elsewhere. But before moving to another Canadian province, your actions within that time period up until your moving date must be documented. Here are some requirements you will need to gather:
- Evidence of your employment search, including resumes and letters of rejection.
- Proof that you’ve used up all of the province’s job opportunities.
- Proof of residence in the province (lease, etc) as well as your electricity and/or gas bills.
- Proof that you have or have requested the provincial healthcare card.
- Any other document that can prove your initial intent to stay in the province.
Important Relocation Tip
If you've been employed in one province for some time and wish to relocate, you'll need a convincing reason to do so. One possibility is that you've landed a higher-paying position. Other possible explanations include getting married and having to move with your spouse outside of the province, among others.
Tips in Selecting the Right the Canadian Province for You!
Finding a PNP that meets your requirements may be difficult, but with the proper resources, it can be a quick and painless process. In order to find the “perfect match,” you must consider your personal circumstances, as well as the talents and expertise you have to give and a province’s labor market requirements.
To learn more about each Canadian province, check out our immigration guide on how to choose the best province for you!
