published on 7 May 2026 @ 1:19 pm · COMMENT

Provinces Gain Greater Control Over Skilled Immigration Decisions

As of March 30, 2026, Canada has shifted two core eligibility assessments under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) from the federal government to provinces and territories. Provinces will now exclusively determine whether applicants intend to reside in the nominating jurisdiction and whether they can become economically established in Canada.

The change applies to all applications not yet past the eligibility stage, including those submitted before the rule change. A valid nomination certificate will now serve as conclusive evidence that these criteria have been met, limiting IRCC’s ability to reassess them at the federal stage.

While IRCC will continue to oversee identity verification, admissibility checks, and certain program-specific requirements, its role in evaluating core PNP selection factors has been narrowed. For enhanced (Express Entry-linked) streams, federal eligibility requirements still apply alongside the provincial nomination.

If concerns arise, IRCC must consult the nominating province or territory, which then has 60 to 90 days to confirm or withdraw the nomination. For applicants, the shift places greater emphasis on meeting provincial selection expectations upfront, as the nomination stage now carries more decisive weight in the overall process.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE