The federal government has announced 91,500 permanent resident (PR) admissions through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2026, up from 55,000 last year — a major increase that opens new pathways for immigration candidates across Canada.
Each year, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan sets targets for permanent residence admissions over a three-year period, giving provinces and territories flexibility to design and adjust their local immigration streams.
A Major Rebound for Provincial Nominee Programs
Just two years ago, the federal government cut PNP targets by 50%. The 2026 target reverses that trend — nearly doubling the number of new provincial nominations, with a 66% increase for 2026 and a further 67% rise projected for 2027.
This shift reflects growing recognition that provincial immigration programs play a key role in addressing Canada’s regional labour market shortages and helping newcomers settle beyond major cities.
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
Most PNP streams target individuals who have studied, worked, or lived in a specific province. That means temporary residents — such as international students and work permit holders — are likely to benefit most from these expanded allocations.
For those struggling with low CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) scores under Express Entry, the PNP offers a more accessible path to PR.
PGWP Holders May Benefit Most
Graduates on Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) often qualify for provincial nomination streams. Once nominated, they can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) — allowing them to keep working in Canada while waiting for a PR decision.
Find out if you qualify for a PNP nomination
Who Benefits the Most from the PNP Expansion
The Provincial Nominee Program is ideal for candidates who:
- Have lower CRS scores than Express Entry cut-offs
- Don’t meet Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requirements
- Work in lower-skilled or semi-skilled occupations (NOC TEER 4 or 5)
- Want to immigrate through provincial entrepreneur or business programs
- Are outside Canada but have relevant work experience
- Are international graduates who studied in their province of nomination
Employers also gain from expanded allocations. With arranged employment points being removed from Express Entry in 2025, the PNP is now a vital tool for retaining skilled foreign workers in industries facing shortages.
How PNP Targets Are Set
PNP admission targets represent how many new permanent residents Canada plans to welcome, not how many invitations or nominations are issued.
Each province receives an annual nomination allocation from IRCC, determining how many candidates it can nominate in a given year. Processing delays mean some admissions are deferred, but larger allocations still allow provinces to hold more draws and invite more candidates.
PNP Changes in 2025: The Lead-Up to Expansion
The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan initially slashed PNP targets by half, which forced provinces to reduce or pause certain nomination streams:
|
Year |
2025–2027 Plan |
2024–2026 Plan |
|
2025 |
55,000 |
120,000 |
|
2026 |
55,000 |
120,000 |
|
2027 |
55,000 |
— |
This resulted in various adjustments:
- British Columbia: Suspended new graduate streams; wait-listed International Post-Graduate applicants after Sept 1, 2024.
- Nova Scotia: Prioritized healthcare, social assistance, and construction workers with expiring 2025 permits.
- Prince Edward Island: Focused on healthcare, trades, childcare, and key industries.
- New Brunswick: Paused new EOIs for the Strategic Initiative stream; prioritized education and construction trades.
- Saskatchewan: Limited overseas recruitment and imposed nomination caps in some sectors.
By early 2025, most provinces — except Ontario and PEI — had negotiated increased allocations with the federal government to better meet their local labour demands.
About the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program, launched in 1998, was created to spread the economic benefits of immigration beyond Canada’s major cities. It is now the second-largest pathway for skilled workers after Express Entry.
There are two main types of PNP streams:
- Base Streams: Operate outside Express Entry. Candidates apply directly to a province and later submit a separate PR application to IRCC.
- Enhanced Streams: Linked to Express Entry. Provinces select candidates from the federal pool and award 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation in the next draw.
All candidates must still meet federal admissibility and provincial eligibility criteria.
Start Your Path to Permanent Residency
With PNP targets rising to record highs, 2026 presents a major opportunity for candidates seeking permanent residence through Canada’s provincial streams.
Assess your eligibility today and let our licensed immigration professionals guide you toward the right pathway to PR.
