This section contains policy, procedures and guidance that the staff of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) typically refer to. The authorities have placed this on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as a courtesy to stakeholders.
This section specifies how the officers would be able to process electronic applications for permanent residence (e-APR) submitted by Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants, whom the authorities invited to apply through Express Entry i.e. “enhanced nominations”.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) electronic applications for permanent residence (e-APRs) are subject to the Express Entry six-month processing standard i.e. 80 percent of applications in six months or less. The six month period typically begins when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) confirms that a candidate has submitted a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) through the MyCIC account. The processing period concludes when the authorities render a final decision.
As of January 01, 2015, provinces have the ability to nominate candidates through the Express Entry process or via paper-based applications.
Canada has entered into bilateral agreements with provinces and territories. These bilateral agreements enable provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residence. Provinces and territories typically carry out such nominations based on their assessment of the nominees’ ability to contribute to the economic growth and development of those particular provinces. However, it is worth mentioning that Canada has entered into these bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories except Quebec and Nunavut.
The authorities have provided provinces and territories with the authority and responsibility for establishing their own criteria for nomination. But, provinces and territories would need to ensure that their nomination criteria are not incompatible with the provisions specified within the:
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
- National Immigration Policy and,
- Federal – Provincial / Territorial bilateral agreements
Moreover, with reference to the enhanced nominations, the authorities have authorised Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to:
- Assess the applicant’s eligibility for the Provincial Nominee class
- Assess that the applicant meets the program requirements of at least one of the federal economic immigration programs
- Assess the applicant’s admissibility under the provisions specified in the:
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and,
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
- Assess the factors specified in section 11.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and,
- Make a final decision on the applicants’ application for permanent residence
