By admin

13 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for Canada PR Without a Job Offer

While many Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways require candidates to secure a valid job offer, 13 provincial immigration streams currently allow eligible applicants to pursue permanent residence (PR) without employment arranged in advance.

For candidates seeking nomination through a PNP but lacking a job offer, the following provinces offer viable options.

Alberta

Under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), one stream allows candidates to apply without a job offer:

Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors Pathway

Applicants must:

  • Maintain an active federal Express Entry profile
  • Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300
  • Work in an in-demand sector such as construction, agriculture, aviation, or manufacturing

Manitoba

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) offers two pathways without a job offer requirement:

Skilled Worker Overseas – Skilled Worker Overseas Pathway

Candidates must:

  • Achieve at least 60 points on Manitoba’s assessment grid
  • Demonstrate a connection to Manitoba through family/friend support, previous education or work experience in the province, or invitation via a Strategic Recruitment Initiative

International Education Stream – Graduate Internship Pathway

Eligibility requires:

  • A master’s or doctoral degree obtained in Manitoba within the last three years
  • Language proficiency of CLB/NCLC 7
  • Completion of a Mitacs Elevate or Accelerate internship in an eligible sector
  • Residency in Manitoba at the time of application

New Brunswick

Although most streams under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) require employment, two pathways do not:

NB Express Entry – NB Interests Pathway

Applicants must:

  • Hold a valid Express Entry profile
  • Receive a Letter of Interest from New Brunswick
  • Score at least 67 points on the provincial selection grid

NB Strategic Initiative – Francophone Priorities Pathway

Requirements include:

  • Minimum 67 points on the selection grid
  • French proficiency at NCLC 5
  • High school diploma
  • Letter of Interest or in-province study/work eligibility

Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) offers one primary option:

Nova Scotia Express Entry Stream

Candidates must:

  • Maintain a valid Express Entry profile
  • Possess at least one year of TEER 0–3 work experience
  • Meet language requirements (CLB 7 for TEER 0–1; CLB 5 for TEER 2–3)
  • Hold a minimum high school diploma

Graduates claiming PGWP-based work experience must have studied in Nova Scotia.

Ontario

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) provides four streams without a job offer:

Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream

  • Valid Express Entry profile
  • CLB/NCLC 7
  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree

Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

  • Express Entry profile
  • CLB 6 in English
  • NCLC 7 in French
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher

Certain regulated professionals such as registered nurses and early childhood educators may qualify for education exemptions.

Master’s Graduate Stream

  • CLB/NCLC 7
  • Master’s degree from eligible Ontario university
  • One year of Ontario residency in past two years

PhD Graduate Stream

  • PhD from eligible Ontario institution
  • Two years of study completed in Ontario
  • Application submitted within two years of graduation

Notably, Ontario has not conducted draws under the graduate streams since September 2024. A two-phase program overhaul is proposed for 2026, potentially replacing existing streams with new pathways targeting healthcare workers, exceptional talent, and entrepreneurs.

Prince Edward Island

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) offers:

PEI Express Entry Stream – Non-Job Offer Pathway

Candidates must:

  • Hold a valid Express Entry profile
  • Meet federal eligibility criteria

Priority is generally given to individuals residing and working in PEI.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) provides two no-job-offer streams:

International Skilled Worker – Occupation in Demand

  • Minimum 60 points on SINP grid
  • CLB/NCLC 4
  • One year of skilled work experience
  • Relevant post-secondary credential

International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry

  • Active Express Entry profile
  • 60 SINP points
  • Education and experience aligned with occupation

How the PNP Process Works

Obtaining permanent residence through a PNP generally involves two steps:

  1. Secure a provincial nomination
  2. Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence

Enhanced (Express Entry-aligned) nominations grant 600 additional CRS points, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Base stream nominees may apply directly to the federal government with their nomination certificate.

All PNP applicants must demonstrate intent to reside in the nominating province.

Provinces That Currently Require a Job Offer

As of this writing, the following jurisdictions do not offer worker or student nomination pathways without a job offer:

  • British Columbia
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Yukon

Quebec and Nunavut do not operate PNP systems. Candidates interested in Quebec must apply through its separate immigration programs, while Nunavut relies solely on federal pathways such as Express Entry.

Contact us

Categories

Recent Posts