Provincial nominees: How to apply

Making an application to immigrate to Canada is straightforward. Follow the steps described below.

There are eight steps to apply to immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee.

1. Obtain a certificate of provincial nomination.
2. Obtain and print the Citizenship and Immigration Canada application package.
3. Complete your application.
4. Determine where you must submit your application.
5. Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you will submit your application.
6. Calculate your fees.
7. Check your application.
8. Submit your application.

1. Obtain a certificate of provincial nomination.

If you want to come to Canada as a provincial nominee, you must first be nominated by a province or territory. Each province or territory has its own nomination procedures. To learn more, select Eligibility for provincial nomination in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Once you have been successfully nominated by a province, you will receive a certificate of provincial nomination. Please note that a copy of this certificate will be sent directly to the visa office by the province or territory. For this reason, it is not required for you to submit a copy of your certificate with your application.

2. Obtain and print the application package.

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

3. Complete your application.

• Fill out and sign the forms. Most forms can be completed on your computer. Print the forms after you complete them, because you cannot save them on your computer.
• If you do not want to complete the forms on your computer, you can complete them by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
• Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
• You must complete all the forms:
  • Application for Permanent Residence in Canada
  • Schedule 1: Background/Declaration
  • Schedule 4: Economic Classes: Provincial Nominees
  • Additional Family Information
  • Use of a Representative. You must complete this form if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice. Find out more about using immigration representatives.

4. Determine where you must submit your application.

You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You must submit your application to the visa office that serves your country of nationality or the country where you have been legally admitted for at least one year.

You can find a list of countries and corresponding visa offices in the I Need To… section of this page. Select your country of residence or citizenship and you will be directed to the visa office responsible for your application. You must check the website of the visa office where you will submit your application, since application procedures may vary slightly from one visa office to another.

5. Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you will submit your application.

You can find the visa office instructions you need in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Print the forms and instructions required for that specific visa office. The instructions include information on medical examinations and the criminal and security checks that you and your dependants will have to undergo. More information on both of these topics is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

6. Calculate your fees.

You will have to pay the following fees:

• The processing fee for you and your dependants must be paid when you apply. It is not refundable, even if your application is not approved.
• Wait until your application is processed to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee for you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration Canada issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application, if your application is not approved, or if you do not use your visa.

You will also have to pay fees to third parties for:

• your medical examination
• a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check, and
• language testing, as required.

Information on how to pay your processing fee and your Right of Permanent Residence fee is included in the instructions for the visa office where you submit your application.

More information on fees is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

7. Check your application.

Make sure your application is completed correctly, and that you include all the necessary supporting documentation. Use the checklist that is included in the guide (Appendix A) to make sure you have not forgotten anything.

The visa office cannot process your application if supporting documentation or processing fees are missing, or if your forms are not completed and signed. This will delay your application.

8. Submit your application.

Mail your application and your fees to the appropriate Canadian visa office.

---

Related Links

• Eligibility for provincial nomination
• Provincial Nominee Application Kit
• Visa office instructions