What happens after I receive a provincial nomination certificate?
Receiving a provincial nomination certificate is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the process. Immigration in Canada is federal, so the province's role ends when it issues the nomination — you then apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
If your nomination is linked to Express Entry (enhanced stream), you use the certificate to add 600 CRS points to your profile, which will trigger an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw. You then submit a complete federal application through the online portal within the 60-day window after receiving the ITA.
If your nomination is through a base (paper-based) stream, you apply to IRCC directly and outside of Express Entry. You submit the nomination certificate along with supporting documents covering identity, language, work history, education, and the results of medical and criminal background checks.
In either case, IRCC reviews the application for federal admissibility and completeness. If everything is in order, you receive confirmation of permanent residence. The total time from nomination to PR depends on the stream type, the completeness of your application, and IRCC's current processing volumes.
Key takeaways
- A nomination certificate is provincial; the permanent residence decision is federal (IRCC).
- Enhanced nominees receive 600 CRS points and must apply within 60 days of their ITA.
- Base stream nominees apply directly to IRCC outside of Express Entry.
- Medical and criminal background checks are required at the federal stage.