PNP by Province Comparison Table 2026 — Side-by-Side Guide
Canada has 11 Provincial Nominee Programs across provinces + territories (Quebec uses separate selection, not PNP). Each has distinct streams + eligibility + processing. This page compares them side-by-side to help you identify the right PNP for your profile.
All PNPs at a glance
| Province | Annual Volume | Key Streams | Fee (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario OINP | ~9,000 nominations | HCP, Employer Job Offer, Master's Grad, PhD Grad, Skilled Trades, Tech Draws | $1,500-$2,000 |
| BC PNP | ~8,000 nominations | Skills, Tech, Healthcare, International Graduate, Entrepreneur | $1,150-$3,500 |
| AAIP Alberta | ~6,500 nominations | Alberta Opportunity Stream, EE Stream, Foreign Graduate, Rural Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur | $500-$3,500 |
| SINP Saskatchewan | ~7,000 nominations | EE, Occupations In-Demand (no job offer), Employment Offer, SK Experience, Entrepreneur, Farm Owner | $350 |
| MPNP Manitoba | ~7,000 nominations | Skilled Worker in MB, Skilled Worker Overseas, International Education, Business Investor | $500 |
| NSNP Nova Scotia | ~5,000 nominations | Labour Market Priorities, Physician, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, Critical Construction Worker | $300 |
| NB PNP | ~5,000 nominations | EE Labour Market, Skilled Worker with Employer Support, AIP, Strategic Initiative Francophone, Entrepreneur | $250-$2,000 |
| PEI PNP | ~1,500 nominations | EE, Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, International Graduate, Business Impact | $400 |
| NLPNP | ~2,000 nominations | EE Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker, International Graduate, International Entrepreneur, Priority Skills NL | $250 |
| YNP Yukon | ~430 nominations | Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker, EE, Business Nominee | $200-$3,000 |
| NTNP NWT | ~150 nominations | Skilled Worker, Express Entry, Business | $300 |
Quick decision guide
Best PNP if you have high CRS + Express Entry profile
Ontario OINP HCP — invites EE candidates with strong CRS + Ontario settlement intent. Some draws below 500 CRS. Then federal PR via EE.
Best PNP without job offer
SINP Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand — no job offer needed if your NOC is in-demand + 60+ EOI score. Rare among PNPs.
Best PNP for tech workers
BC PNP Tech — weekly draws, 35+ eligible tech NOCs, Vancouver tech corridor. Ontario OINP Tech Draws for Toronto/GTA. AAIP EE Stream for Calgary/Edmonton.
Best PNP for healthcare
Multiple options. NSNP Labour Market Priorities Healthcare, BC PNP Healthcare, OINP Healthcare-aligned HCP, MPNP Healthcare, SINP Health Professional Experience all active.
Best PNP for rural settlement
Atlantic Provinces (NB, NS, PEI, NL) for Atlantic settlement. RCIP communities (Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, etc.) for designated rural cities. SINP, MPNP, AAIP Rural for prairie rural.
Best PNP for entrepreneurs
Most PNPs have entrepreneur streams. SINP Entrepreneur (low net worth threshold), BC PNP Entrepreneur (multiple categories), MPNP Business, AAIP Entrepreneur, Ontario OINP Entrepreneur.
Atlantic provinces strategy (AIP + PNP combination)
Atlantic provinces (NB, NS, PEI, NL) have BOTH PNP + AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program — federal). Many applicants compare both:
- AIP: Federal program; requires designated Atlantic employer + provincial endorsement
- Atlantic PNP: Provincial selection; some streams don't require employer offer
Quebec (separate from PNP system)
Quebec uses its own selection system — QSWP, PEQ Diplômés, PEQ Travailleurs — independent from federal PNP framework. See Federal vs Quebec.
Common PNP comparison mistakes
- Applying to PNP without genuine intent to settle in that province (misrepresentation)
- Not exploring SINP Occupations In-Demand (rare no-job-offer pathway)
- Underestimating Atlantic PNPs (more accessible nomination but real settlement commitment)
- Pursuing multiple PNPs simultaneously without realistic intent to settle anywhere they nominate
FAQ
Which PNP is easiest?
Depends entirely on your profile. For Express Entry-aligned applicants with high CRS: OINP HCP, AAIP EE Stream, BC PNP Tech often most accessible. For Occupations In-Demand without job offer: SINP Occupations In-Demand stream. For rural settlement: RCIP communities (Sudbury, North Bay, etc.). For entrepreneurs: SINP, MPNP, AAIP all have entrepreneur streams.
Can I apply to multiple PNPs?
Yes — you can submit Expressions of Interest to multiple PNPs simultaneously. However, once nominated by one province + accepting nomination, you typically commit to that province's settlement. PNP shopping with intent to relocate after PR may attract misrepresentation review.
Do PNP nominations guarantee PR?
Provincial nomination + Express Entry: nomination adds 600 CRS = virtually guaranteed federal ITA. Then federal PR processing (still subject to medical, security, criminal admissibility). Paper-based (non-EE) PNP: federal processing similar but slower (12-18 months).
What's the cheapest PNP?
Most provincial PNPs charge CAD $1,000-$3,500 application fee. SINP among lower (~$350). OINP higher ($1,500-$2,000). BC PNP higher for some streams ($1,150-$3,500). Compare total cost vs accessibility for your profile.
Do all PNPs require ECA?
Most do, especially for Express Entry-aligned streams. Some non-EE streams accept other proof of education. Verify per stream.
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Free PNP Strategy →Related: PNP overview · EE vs PNP · AIP