Immigration Corner | Difference between Express Entry and the PNP

Dear Miss Powell,

I’ve been reading your articles for a while, and I must say they’re very helpful. I’m interested in living in Canada, but I’m a little confused. What’s the difference between Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program? Which one should I apply to?

LB

Dear LB,

Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate hearing from my regular readers. You are not alone in feeling unsure about the difference between the Express Entry System and the Provincial Nominee Programmes which are two of the most popular Canadian immigration pathways.

EXPRESS ENTRY

Express Entry is Canada’s main online system for managing permanent residence applications under the federal immigration programmes. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, the Federal Skilled Trades Programme, and the Canadian Experience Class. If you meet the basic requirements of one of these programmes, you can create an Express Entry profile and be given a score. This score, known as your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, is based on things like your age, education, language ability, and work experience. The higher your score, the better your chances of being selected in one of the regular draws.

PROVINCIAL NOMINATION

On the other hand, the Provincial Nominee Programme, often called the PNP, allows each of Canada’s provinces and territories to select candidates who meet their local labour market needs. Each province sets its own criteria and focuses on specific occupations that are in demand in that region. For example, some provinces may be looking for nurses, teachers, or truck drivers, while others may focus on engineers, carpenters, or health care aides. If you have skills that a province is looking for, or if you’ve studied, worked, or have a family connection in a particular province, you might be a good fit for that province’s PNP.

Some PNP streams are linked to the Express Entry system. If you are selected from the Express Entry pool and nominated by a province, you’ll get an extra 600 points. This is enough to almost guarantee that you’ll receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Some PNP operate outside of the Express Entry System and therefore you need to apply to a province directly. If you are successful in being nominated, then a separate application would need to be submitted to Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada or your permanent residence. You must include the nomination letter from the province.

RIGHT PATHWAY

The right path for you depends on your qualifications, your job experience, your CRS score, and whether you have work experience or ties to any province in Canada. If your score is high and you meet the federal criteria, Express Entry may be your quickest route. However, if your score is lower, have a job offer, or you have a strong connection to a particular province and you don’t have enough points to enter directly into the Express Entry pool, then the PNP might be your best bet.

The two systems go hand in hand. In fact, if you qualify for both systems, it is often wise to apply to both. That way, you increase your odds of being selected, either directly through the federal draw, or by receiving a nomination from a province.

I’d be happy to take a closer look at your credentials and give you more tailored advice. Whatever path you choose, the most important thing is to apply early, stay organised, and keep your documents and profile up to date.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public. Contact her on Facebook, Instagram or call or WhatsApp 613-695-8777.