Canada's Provinces are Changing Permanent Residency Selection Process- Here is Everything You Need To Know

In the past few months, many provinces and territories have changed their permanent residency selection system. The traditional PNP system was quite typical in its process of selecting for permanent residency. The prior system had streams—requiring job offers—for which eligible foreign nationals could apply directly to the PNP, and if successful, would receive a provincial nomination.

As time passed, changes in the PNP system were made. Most PNPs no longer have streams to which you can apply directly for nomination. First, you need to create a profile in the PNP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system and then be invited from a category of qualified applicants, which they can take from when needed.

Read further and find out:

• What is the EOI system and its process
• New Provinces Introduced to EOI Systems
• Provinces and Territories that Have and Have Not Undertaken EOI Systems So Far
• Reasons Behind Provinces and Territories Turning to EOI Systems

Understand the Expression of Interest System

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is an application management system developed for immigration.

People who are interested in immigrating to the province or territory need to first submit an expression of interest as a form of proof of their skills, work experience, education, and other factors.

What is the EOI Process

Here’s how the process of EOI works:

Step 1: Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province or territory.

Step 2: Analyse based on their EOI; applicants are ranked according to their skills and human capital factors and put in a category with other qualified applicants.

Step 3: The province or territory hosts invitation rounds or draws.

Step 4: Among all the applicants, get invited to apply for provincial nomination; and

Step 5: Candidates are given a window of fixed amount of time to complete an application along with documents proving their qualifications.

What are the New Provinces Introduced to EOI Systems?

The first territory to adopt this new P.R. selection process is Yukon. Now, foreign nationals can no longer apply to the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). The employers must know to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be eligible for the YNP.

New Brunswick shifted to an EOI model for two pathways under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) in March 2025.

Newfoundland and Labrador have also announced that they would be adapting an EOI system for its PNP and its part of the Atlantic Immigration Program in February 2025.

In September 2024, Alberta launched an EOI system for its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) pathways.

Provinces and Territories that have Undertaken EOI Systems So Far

These are the provinces and territories that have undertaken EOI systems so far:

• Alberta.
• British Columbia.
• Manitoba.
• New Brunswick.
• Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Ontario.
• Prince Edward Island.
• Quebec.
• Saskatchewan.
• Yukon.

Provinces and Territories that have Not Undertaken EOI Systems

Here are the provinces and territories that have not undertaken EOI systems so far:

• The Northwest Territories.
• Nova Scotia.

Reasons Behind Provinces and Territories Turning to EOI Systems

According to Canadian statistics in 2022/23, every region or country has seen a massive increase in international population since 1971. In the new year, many provinces and territories in Canada have experienced record-high immigration levels.

As the demand for immigration in the country is growing naturally, the provinces and territories might face some challenges because and province or territory is allotted a fixed number of nominations they can issue through PNP. The allocation quota is approved by the federal government.

According to the latest Immigration Level Plans, the federal government cut the target for PNPs by 50% in 2025.

As a result of this immigration level plan, many provinces and territories are dealing with a sudden decrease in the allocation. Some provinces, like Newfoundland and Labrador, are negotiating for an increase in allocations by committing to an increased intake of humanitarian immigrants.

By keeping all the pointers in mind and managing regional labour market needs, recently, many provinces and territories have shifted to Express of Interest (EOI) systems.

As opposed to the traditional first-come, first-serve models, the EOI system works by:

• Making a category of qualified applicants which they can take from when needed.
• Choosing applicants according to the needs of the Labour Market.
• An organised process by focusing on applicants with in-demand skills
• Provide a chance to eligible candidates to be considered throughout the year.

As PNPs would operate under a "first-come, first served" model. The EOI system provides ease to provinces and territories and uses a fair selection process.