How Canadian Provinces Are Changing the Way They Select PR Nominees: What You Should Know
In recent months, several Canadian provinces and territories have revamped their approach to selecting candidates for permanent residency (PR) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Traditionally, many PNP streams allowed eligible foreign nationals—often those with job offers—to apply directly to a specific stream. Successful applicants would then receive a nomination, which could be used to apply for Canadian PR. However, that process is evolving.
The Shift to Expression of Interest (EOI) Systems
As of now, most PNPs no longer operate under the direct application model. Instead, prospective immigrants are required to submit a profile in the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Only those selected through provincial draws are invited to apply for nomination.
Once a candidate receives an invitation, they must submit a complete application with all required documents to be considered for nomination.
This Article Covers:
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What an Expression of Interest (EOI) system is
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Provinces and territories that have adopted the EOI model
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Tips to improve your chances under EOI systems
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Reasons behind the shift to EOI across Canada
What Is an Expression of Interest (EOI)?
An EOI is an online profile submitted by immigration candidates to express their interest in settling in a specific province or territory. The system helps provinces manage immigration applications more strategically.
How It Works:
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Candidates submit an EOI, outlining their work experience, education, language skills, and other personal information.
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Each profile is ranked and placed into a pool of candidates.
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Periodic draws are held by provinces to select the highest-ranking candidates.
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Selected candidates receive an invitation to apply for nomination.
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Upon nomination, applicants can proceed to apply for permanent residency with the federal government.
Provinces may also conduct targeted draws for candidates with specific attributes, such as post-secondary education within the province or job offers in high-demand sectors.
Provinces Recently Adopting EOI Systems
Several provinces and territories have recently transitioned to the EOI system:
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Yukon: Now requires employers to submit EOIs on behalf of foreign workers under the Yukon Nominee Program.
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New Brunswick: As of March 2025, two pathways under the NBPNP use an EOI-based system.
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Newfoundland and Labrador: Introduced an EOI process for its PNP and Atlantic Immigration Program in February 2025.
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Alberta: Launched EOI selection for several pathways within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) in September 2024.
Current EOI-Adopting Provinces and Territories
The following regions have integrated EOI systems into at least one of their immigration pathways:
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Alberta
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British Columbia
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Manitoba
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New Brunswick
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Newfoundland and Labrador
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Ontario
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Prince Edward Island
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Quebec
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Saskatchewan
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Yukon
Provinces Without EOI-Based PNPs
These provinces and territories still rely on traditional application methods:
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Northwest Territories
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Nova Scotia
Tips to Improve Your Success in an EOI System
With a limited number of invitations and increasing competition, here are steps to enhance your chances:
1. Boost Language and Educational Scores
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Take or retake language tests to increase your score.
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Obtain Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for foreign qualifications.
2. Secure a Valid Job Offer
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Some streams prioritize or require job offers, which can significantly increase your ranking.
3. Choose the Right Stream
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Evaluate all available streams and apply where competition is lower.
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Research recent draw scores and tailor your application accordingly.
4. Submit EOIs to Multiple Provinces (if eligible)
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While you can’t apply to multiple PNPs simultaneously, you can submit EOIs to more than one province to increase your exposure.
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Be mindful: applying for nomination from more than one province at the same time may be considered misrepresentation.
5. Gather Documents in Advance
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Documents like police clearance certificates and ECAs can take time. Start the process early to avoid delays once you receive an invitation.
Why More Provinces Are Adopting EOI Systems
Canada has seen unprecedented growth in immigration in recent years. According to Statistics Canada, 2022/23 saw record-setting levels of immigration across all regions.
Despite growing interest, provinces are constrained by federally set nomination quotas under the PNP. In fact, the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan reduced PNP nomination targets by 50%.
Faced with these limitations, many provinces are adopting EOIs to:
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Build applicant pools tailored to local labour needs
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Improve the quality of selected candidates
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Prioritize skilled individuals with in-demand expertise
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Manage application volumes more efficiently
Without EOIs, most PNPs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, often hitting caps quickly and leaving potential candidates waiting for the next intake window.
A Quick Recap on How PNPs Work with EOIs
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
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Submit an EOI to the province/territory of your choice.
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Receive an invitation to apply based on your profile score and draw outcomes.
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Apply for nomination, and if approved, move forward with your federal PR application.