Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) vs Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is faster: 8 months vs 15 months for Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
- ›Faster to citizenship: Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) at ~3 years, vs 4 for Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).
Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) Australia · skilled worker | Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Canada · skilled worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Canada |
| Category | Skilled Worker | Skilled Worker |
| Application Fee | $3,000 | $1,000 |
| Minimum Income | — | — |
| Minimum Investment | — | — |
| Processing Time | 8 months | 15 months |
| Family Included | Spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included; all members must meet health and character requirements; each adult dependant adds to the visa application charge. | Spouse/common-law partner and dependent children are included on the application and receive PR simultaneously |
| Path to PR | Yes — 0 years | Yes — 0 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 4 years | Yes — 3 years |
| Physical Presence | Must be physically present in Australia when granted (or arrive within the entry validity period). State nomination carries a commitment to live and work in the nominating state or territory for at least 2 years, and permanent residents must generally reside in Australia for 2 out of every 5 years to maintain unrestricted travel rights. | Nominees are generally expected to settle in the nominating province; PR holders must reside 730 days in 5 years nationally |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Permanent residents are treated as Australian tax residents and taxed on worldwide income from the date of entry, the same as Subclass 189. | Permanent residents are subject to Canadian worldwide income tax from landing date |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | — | — |
About Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers who receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory government, in addition to meeting the points test (minimum 65, with a mandatory 5 bonus points awarded for the nomination itself). Unlike the employer- and state-independent Subclass 189, applicants must first apply to and be nominated by a specific state or territory, whose own occupation list, criteria, and commitment requirements must be satisfied — nomination is often more accessible than a 189 invitation for occupations that are oversubscribed nationally but in demand in a particular state. Successful applicants receive permanent residence immediately upon grant, with a visa-conditioned commitment to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years.
Full Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) profile →About Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) lets Canadian provinces and territories nominate skilled workers, entrepreneurs and graduates who meet local labour-market needs and intend to settle in the nominating province. Each of the 80+ streams sets its own criteria — many require a job offer, language proficiency and relevant credentials, and some require settlement funds or a minimum net worth. The process has two stages: provincial nomination, then a federal permanent-residency application through IRCC. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to an Express Entry CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. Applications are slow, around 15 months (60–130 weeks), with costs of $10,000–$22,000. A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children are included and receive PR at the same time. Because it leads directly to permanent residency, there is no separate PR waiting period; citizenship is then available after three years, with dual citizenship allowed. PRs are taxed on worldwide income from landing and must reside 730 days in every five years. Note that 2024 federal cuts reduced per-province nomination allocations.
Full Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- ⚠Each state/territory has its own occupation list, criteria, and application process — an occupation ineligible for 189 may still qualify for 190 nomination in a specific state
- ⚠The 2-year state-residency commitment (condition 8558) is a formal visa condition; enforcement has historically been inconsistent, but states have tightened monitoring and non-compliance can complicate future nominations or a Resident Return Visa application
- ⚠Some states require evidence of genuine ties or prior residence before nominating you — a 'fly-in' nomination application with no connection to the state is often refused
- ⚠State nomination programs can pause or close mid-year once their allocation ceiling is reached — timing matters
- ⚠Points cut-offs and state priorities shift with each program year's occupation-list refresh
Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- ⚠Provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — effectively guarantees Express Entry ITA
- ⚠Strong "intent to settle in province" requirement for many streams — moving out early risks future sponsorship barriers
- ⚠Each of 11 provinces has distinct rules — 80+ total PNP streams
- ⚠2024 PNP allocations reduced in federal plan; fewer nominations per province
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.