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First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Choose the province you want to live in

Provincial Nominee ProgramsChoose a provinceStep 1 of 8

Not started11 run a program · RequiredYou are here

1. Choose the province you want to live in

Eleven provinces and territories run a nominee program: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step 1 of 8 · RequiredClose

Choose the province you want to live in

Not startedRequired

The authority on this stepImmigrate as a provincial nomineecanada.ca · Government of Canada

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

Why it's required: A nomination ties you to the province that issued it, and you're expected to intend to live there. Everything after this step depends on which one you pick.

Programs11 provincesQuebec runs its own selection system instead; Nunavut has none.

Annual limitsSet per provinceEach decides how many people it can nominate in a year.

Intent to live thereExpectedThe nomination is for that province's economy, not a general visa.

Documents you'll need

Where your work experience is actually in demand
Any family, job offer or study ties to a particular province
The provincial program website for each province you're considering

Finishing this unlocks: Find a stream you fit