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How H-1B Visa Holders Can Move to Canada as a Provincial Nominee

Blog posted on by Evelyn Ackah in How To Move To Canada, Tech Immigration, Permanent Residence and Provincial Nominee Programs

How H-1B Visa Holders Can Move to Canada as a Provincial Nominee

Do you have an H-1B Visa to work in the U.S.?
Do you want to move to Canada as a Provincial Nominee?

In November 2017, Canada announced an immigration target of 1,000,000 new immigrants for 2018-2020, a nearly 20% increase in the number of candidates granted permanent residence. Many H-1B Visa workers in the United States are considering their options to move to other countries if their work permit is not renewed. Canadian employers are searching for high-skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in Canada, and help grow our economy.

Canada Provincial Nominee Program

Provinces and territories in Canada can nominate immigrants to move to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These immigrants must have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of that province or territory, and must want to live there. If you want to immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you must be nominated by that Canadian province or territory.

To qualify, you must have the skills, education and work experience you will need to settle in Canada and support yourself and your family.

You must apply directly to the PNP in the province or territory where you want to immigrate to. That province will determine if you meet their local economic and labour market needs and Canada's national economic needs. Local economic needs are continuously evolving and changing, and you will be evaluated under current labour needs.

After the province or territory approves your application, your next step is to apply for permanent residence in the time period they specify, and whether you should apply through the Express Entry system or through the regular application process:

  • Nomination under an Express Entry PNP stream:
    If you are not already in the Express Entry pool, you will need to complete an Express Entry profile and be accepted into the pool. You can begin the process by using IRCC's Come to Canada tool.
  • Nomination under a non-Express Entry PNP stream:
    Permanent resident applicants who were nominated under a non-Express Entry PNP stream should apply for permanent residence using the regular application process

Each province has their own selection process and conditions to get a Provincial Nominee Certificate. Check their websites to find out what you need to do before you apply.


Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

Founder/Managing Lawyer

Ms. Ackah is passionate about immigration law because it focuses on people and relationships, which are at the core of her personal values. Starting her legal career as a corporate/commercial ...

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