Although obtaining a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) nomination can be highly beneficial for prospective immigrants to Canada, it is also important to note that provinces can cancel or withdraw an applicant’s nomination for various reasons.

Operated by the country’s 11 provincial/territorial governments, excluding Quebec and Nunavut, PNPs are consistently one of the top two immigration routes to Canada. In fact, PNPs were the largest immigration program in the country (by number of admitted applicants) both this year and last year.

Comment: Although Express Entry is projected to regain the top spot in 2024, the PNP is also expected to reclaim its position as Canada’s top immigration route for both 2025 and 2026. This is according to the admission targets recently set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan.

What is the value of PNP enrollment?

Obtaining a nomination through one of Canada’s PNPs can make a significant difference in a candidate’s chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.

Know if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

This is because, in itself, a PNP nomination can provide a prospective immigrant with a path to enter Canada through one of the many streams made available by each government under their particular program. In addition, a provincial nomination provides the nominee with 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points If they are already an Express Entry candidate, a process called advanced enrollment,

These points will almost guarantee that a candidate who is in the Express Entry pool will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR) in Canada.

Can a province cancel or withdraw my PNP nomination?

Generally, each participating province makes it clear that if candidates do not meet the conditions of their nomination, their PNP nomination can be cancelled. This can happen at any time after the applicant is approved for Canadian PR.

Comment: The terms repealed, revoked and withdrawn will be used interchangeably in the rest of the article

For example, some of the conditions may include retaining the offer of employment that initially allowed the candidate to become eligible for PNP nomination, or maintaining a certain level of funds required to migrate to a certain province (depending on the PNP stream’s eligibility criteria).

Another common reason for nomination withdrawal is misrepresentation, which is defined by the Canadian government as “the direct or indirect misrepresentation or concealment of facts relating to a relevant matter.” This can include anything related to your immigration, including not reporting changes in your situation during the application process (birth of a child, loss of a job, etc.).

Specifically, the following will outline additional reasons given by each province as to why the local government may cancel or withdraw a candidate’s PNP nomination:

British Columbia (BC)

PNP candidates in BC may have their nominations withdrawn if, among other reasons, they fail to apply for PR to the IRCTC before the nomination closing date.

More: This dedicated webpage provides more information about the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Ontario

In Ontario, to avoid having your nomination cancelled, the government says a candidate must “continue to demonstrate on a reasonable basis an intention to reside in Ontario” until they receive a PR.

Visit this link to learn more about the Ontario Immigrant Nomination Program (OINP).

Manitoba

The Manitoba government may cancel a provincial nomination if a candidate is deemed “not to intend to live, work and/or start a business in Manitoba.”

Click here to learn more about the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

Saskatchewan

Candidates in Saskatchewan may have their PNP nomination cancelled if any of the following circumstances apply:

• The nominee or his representative, if applicable, has voluntarily requested to withdraw the nomination
• The nominee has been approved for PR through an immigration program other than Saskatchewan’s PNP

To learn more about the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nomination Program (SINP), visit this dedicated webpage.

Nova Scotia

According to the Nova Scotia government, an additional reason a candidate may withdraw their nomination is if “IRCC becomes aware that [the principal applicant, their] The spouse or common-law partner, or dependent is not permitted to immigrate to Canada.”

Click here to learn more about the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).

new Brunswick

The New Brunswick government states that they may withdraw a candidate’s PNP nomination if:

• The candidate fails to submit a written request to amend the nomination before the expiry date of the current certificate
• It has been proven that the candidate does not have a genuine intention to reside in New Brunswick

Click here to learn more about the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)

NL’s Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism says a candidate’s PNP nomination may be withdrawn if he or she does not promptly disclose changes in his or her status [that occur] throughout the application phase.”

This may include the following:

• Change in marital status
• Childbirth
• Changes in employment: reduction in hours, loss of jobs
• Getting a decision on work permit/PR application

More: This dedicated webpage provides more information about the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

Northwest Territories

In the Northwest Territories, a provincial nomination can also be cancelled if the candidate does not apply for PR in Canada within six months of receiving their nomination approval letter.

This page can provide more details for candidates seeking to immigrate to Canada through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP).

Alberta, Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Yukon

Neither the provinces of P.E.I. or Alberta nor the Yukon (Canada’s westernmost territory) provide any specifics as to why local governments in these territories may cancel or withdraw a provincial/territorial nomination.

It is best for candidates wishing to migrate to these areas to contact the appropriate authorities and understand these policies before applying for the PNP.

Click here to learn more about the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) and visit this link to learn more about the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).

More: This dedicated webpage provides more information about the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (formerly known as AINP).

Know if you are eligible for Canadian immigration