Business Immigration Guide

What Happens After You Get a PNP Nomination Certificate?

After receiving a PNP nomination certificate, you submit a permanent residence application to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). The process includes a medical examination, police certificates, biometrics (if not already on file), and a complete document package. IRCC reviews the application and, if approved, issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). You then complete a landing interview at a port of entry to become a permanent resident.

A provincial nomination certificate is a major milestone. It means a province or territory has confirmed that you have met the conditions of your Business Performance Agreement and is recommending you for permanent residence. But the nomination itself does not make you a permanent resident. The final decision belongs to the federal government. This guide explains each step from nomination to landing.

Last updated: May 2026 | By Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319

Step-by-Step: From Nomination to Permanent Residence

Receive Your Provincial Nomination Certificate

The province sends you a nomination certificate, typically by email and sometimes by mail. The certificate confirms that the province is nominating you for PR and includes an identification number you will use in your IRCC application. The certificate has a validity period, usually 6 months, by which you must submit your IRCC application.

Determine Your Application Route (Express Entry vs. Non-Express Entry PNP)

There are two routes. If your province nominated you through the Express Entry-linked PNP stream, IRCC will issue you a 600-point boost in Express Entry, which should result in an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR within a few days. You then have 60 days to submit a complete e-APR (Electronic Application for Permanent Residence). Most entrepreneur nominees, however, use the non-Express Entry (paper-based or online) PNP stream. In this case, you submit a paper application directly to IRCC without going through Express Entry.

Gather Your PR Application Documents

Whether online or paper-based, your application package requires a complete and accurate set of documents. Incomplete applications are returned or delayed. The core documents include:

IMM 0008 Generic Application Form for Canada (and applicable schedules)
Provincial nomination certificate and IRCC letter confirming the nomination
Valid passport (and copies of all used pages)
Digital photos meeting IRCC specifications
Police certificates from every country where you have lived for 6 or more months since age 18
Medical examination results from a Designated Immigration Medical Physician (DIMP)
Proof of funds (if required by your category)
Language test results (if applicable to your category)
Biometrics (enrolled within the last 10 years)
Complete travel history for the past 10 years

Complete Your Immigration Medical Examination

You must be examined by a Designated Immigration Medical Physician approved by IRCC. The medical results are sent directly to IRCC by the physician; you do not submit them yourself. Medical examinations are valid for 12 months. If IRCC does not finalize your file within that window, you may need a second examination. Do not complete the medical before you are ready to submit, as wasting the validity period adds risk.

Obtain Police Certificates

You need a police certificate from the RCMP (Canada) and from every country where you have lived for 6 or more months since age 18. Some countries issue these quickly; others take 3 to 6 months. Start the police certificate requests as early as possible, since they are often the longest item to obtain and some expire if IRCC processing takes too long.

Submit Your Application and Pay the Processing Fee

The PR processing fee includes the right of permanent residence fee ($515 per adult, as of 2026) and the processing fee (approximately $490 per adult). Dependent children have separate fees. These must be paid at the time of application. Keep your receipt and application confirmation number.

Respond to Any IRCC Requests

After submission, IRCC may request additional documents, updated police certificates, a second medical, or an interview. Respond within the timeframe stated in any procedural fairness letter. Missing a deadline can result in your application being abandoned without a refund.

Receive Your COPR and Visa (if Applicable)

When IRCC approves your application, they issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document and, if you are outside Canada, a Permanent Resident Visa. Both documents are required to complete your landing. The COPR has an expiry date that typically matches your passport expiry or is set to 12 months from the date of medical examination. You must complete your landing before the COPR expires.

Complete Your Landing at a Port of Entry

When you arrive at a Canadian port of entry (airport or land border), a CBSA officer will review your COPR and passport, confirm your identity, and formally grant you permanent resident status. You will sign your COPR at this point. The officer may ask questions about your background, your address in Canada, and your plans. This is typically brief. Shortly after, your Permanent Resident (PR) Card will be mailed to your Canadian address.

Important: If you are already in Canada when your PR is approved, you do not need to leave and re-enter to “land.” You complete a soft landing with CBSA at a local IRCC office or at a port of entry. Speak with your RCIC about the most appropriate procedure for your situation.

After Landing: Your First Steps as a Permanent Resident

Becoming a PR opens a set of immediate responsibilities and rights. You will receive your PR Card within a few weeks at your registered address. Keep this card. You need it to re-enter Canada from abroad as a PR. You are now entitled to most social benefits available to Canadian citizens, including provincial health coverage (subject to waiting periods that vary by province), access to provincial services, and the right to live and work anywhere in Canada.

You will also begin accumulating PR residency obligations. To maintain your PR status, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days out of every 5-year period. Travel outside Canada is permitted, but track your days carefully, especially during the first few years when business trips abroad may be frequent.

How Long After Nomination Until You Become a PR?

As discussed in more detail in the entrepreneur immigration timeline guide, IRCC processing for non-Express Entry PNP applications currently takes approximately 12 to 18 months. Express Entry-linked nominations are processed in approximately 6 months. For the complete path from initial provincial application to PR, see the Canadian PNP Entrepreneur Immigration overview.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a PNP nomination certificate valid?

Most PNP nomination certificates are valid for 6 months. You must submit your IRCC permanent residence application before this date. If you cannot file in time, contact the nominating province. Some provinces will issue an extension under specific circumstances, but this is not guaranteed.

Do I need to stay in the nominating province after receiving my PR?

As a permanent resident, you have the right to live in any province or territory in Canada. The provincial nomination was a pathway to PR, but it does not legally require you to stay in that province permanently. However, if you move immediately after landing, it may raise questions in future citizenship applications about genuine ties to the nominating province.

What if IRCC refuses my PR application after a PNP nomination?

A PNP nomination is a strong positive factor, but it does not guarantee approval. IRCC can refuse a PR application on grounds of medical inadmissibility, criminal inadmissibility, or misrepresentation. If refused, you have the right to appeal or to apply for judicial review. Speak with an RCIC immediately if you receive a refusal.

Can my family members be included in my PR application?

Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included as accompanying dependants on your PR application. They will receive PR status at the same time as you. You must declare all family members in your application, even those who will not accompany you initially.

What is the difference between an e-APR and a paper PR application?

An e-APR (Electronic Application for Permanent Residence) is submitted through IRCC’s online portal and is used by Express Entry-linked PNP nominees. A paper application is submitted by mail and is used by non-Express Entry PNP nominees. E-APR processing is generally faster. Most entrepreneur nominees use the paper-based or online non-Express Entry stream.

What documents do I need at the port of entry for my landing?

You need your original Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), your valid passport, and your PR Visa if applicable (issued to applicants outside Canada). A CBSA officer will review these, confirm your identity, and formally grant you PR status. Bring the originals, not copies.

This article provides general information about the PNP permanent residence application process as of May 2026. IRCC forms, fees, and processing times change regularly. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your application, contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319, is a licensed member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).