Difference between PNP and PGP program

Canada has a great reputation for welcoming people from all across the world. Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residency (PR) but in entirely different ways. Let’s understand how these two programs work and what purpose they serve.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Canadian provinces except for Quebec and Nanavut operate numerous PNP streams. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) helps the provinces to meet their specific economic and demographic needs. PNPs are the fastest pathway to Canadian permanent residency.

Purpose of PNP

The main purpose of PNP is to provide the benefits of immigration across Canada. Before PNP was introduced, most immigrants settled in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. However, Canada has seen even distribution of immigration since the PNP was launched. PNP streams are aligned with the federal express entry immigration selection system. The final decision regarding permanent residency stays with the federal government after provinces nominate their nominees.

Working of PNP

PNP is for workers who possess skills, education, and experience to contribute to the economic growth of a particular province. There are specific streams of each province, and they target certain groups.

Every province has different eligibility criteria and processes. The candidates might need to apply through a paper-based or online process via express entry. They will have to undergo a medical examination and get a police check certificate.

Paper-based process

The paper-based process follows the below-listed steps-

• Apply to your desired province or territory for nomination under a non-express entry system
•  Meet the eligibility requirements of the province
• After getting nominated, submit a paper application for permanent residency to immigration, refugees, and citizenship Canada.
• Pass the medical exam and get a police check certificate.
• Wait for the application processing.

Express entry process

There are two methods to apply under the express entry process.

• Contact the province and apply for a nomination under the express entry stream.
• If the province approves your nomination, create an express entry profile and show your nomination.

Or

• Create an express entry profile and demonstrate your interest to various provinces
• If you receive a notification of interest, contact them.
• Apply to their express entry stream
• Accept the offer electronically if you get the nomination

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a unique immigration program that allows Canadian and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency.

Requisites for permanent residency (PR) under PGP

For sponsoring your parents or grandparents, you must complete the following requirements-

• You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
• You have received an invitation to apply.
• You are of 18 years of age or more
• You live in Canada
• You have enough income to bear the expenses of your parents and grandparents
• You meet other requirements under the immigration and refugee protection act.

Working of Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

PGP opens once a year. It follows the following steps-

• Submit an interest to sponsor form
• Review of the sponsor form
• If invited to apply, submit the application package by the deadline. 

Major differences between PNP and PGP

1. Purpose- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) provides permanent residency (PR) to skilled workers who have the required skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economic growth of the province. Under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to Canada.
2. Eligibility- To apply for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the applicants must meet the minimum requirements of one of the provinces and get nominated under the stream. In the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), you are eligible for sponsoring your parents or grandparents if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered as Indian under the Canadian Indian act.
3. Current Status- Canada is accepting applications for Provincial Nominee Program, while sponsorship of the Parents and Grandparents Program is expected to start inviting applications in the second half of 2022.
4. Processing time- For Provincial Nominee Program, the approximate processing time is four to six months. Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) sponsorship takes an average processing time of 20 to 24 months.

Both PNP and PGP provide a detailed itinerary for getting a permanent residency (PR) in Canada. However, their purpose and process are entirely different from each other.

Why Choose Zee Overseas?

At Zee Overseas, we provide best-in-class immigration consulting services to our clients. On the strong pillars of trust and great service, we are constantly building a reputation for providing efficient and successful immigration solutions. We ensure that your application stands the highest chance by guiding you throughout the process.

Book a consultation with us to know more about Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), or you can give a call at 416-723-3529.