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Canada Express Entry vs Provincial Nominee Program for Skilled Workers Canada
The two popular pathways for skilled workers for immigrating to Canada are the Express Entry Program and Provincial Nominee Program. Both pathways have different eligibility patterns with certain requirements overlapping with each other. However, people are always confused about which program to choose. In this post, we are answering all your queries about express entry and provincial nominee programs by stating the common differences between the two.
What is the Canada Express Entry Program?
The Federal Express Entry Program is a pathway to obtaining a Canadian Permanent Resident on the basis of your skills, education and adaptability factors. It is the easiest process to achieve Canada PR and takes much less time than other programs. The express entry system is points-based where the candidate is awarded certain points based on various factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency etc.
A candidate needs to check their eligibility for the program and calculate their CRS or Comprehensive Ranking System scores. If they are eligible, they need to prepare the documentation and create an Express Entry Profile. The express entry system holds regular draws and the express entry profiles who have a CRS score above the cut-off score receive an Invitation to Apply or ITA.
Once a candidate receives the invitation to apply, they have 60 days to file their application for Canada Permanent Residence to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada). Then, the IRCC assesses their application and issues Permanent Residence to the candidate (and to their family members, if they are also included in the application).
What is a Provincial Nominee Program?
Canada has 13 provinces out of which 11 participate in the Provincial Nominee Program or PNP. In this program, candidates who are interested to live and work in a certain province, submit an expression of interest to that province for immigration. Each province has its own eligibility criteria and occupations in demand. Interested candidates must meet these requirements before they submit an expression of interest or EOI.
Once their EOI is submitted, the provinces evaluate their application and send them a nomination. Based on this nomination, the candidates can proceed with their application to permanent residence. However, the candidate must note that they need to stay in that province for a certain time and must have a valid job offer from an employer of that province.
There are two ways to apply for Canada PR through PNP:
#1 Non-Express Entry Method: Some provinces manage the immigration process on their own. This means they will send an invite to the candidate and the candidate would apply for PR to that province.
#2 Express Entry Method: This method is for candidates who have submitted an express entry profile. When a candidate receives a nomination from the province, they need to wait for an invite from the CIC after which they can apply for Canada PR through IRCC.
Note:
- You get an additional 600 CRS points once you receive a nomination from a province. This increases your chances to receive an ITA.
- There are more than 80 Provincial Nomination Programs.
- Some of the most popular Provincial Nomination Programs are Ontario Human Capital Priorities, Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), Nova Scotia
- Nominee Program (NSNP) and Manitoba Skilled Worker Overseas Program.
Differences Between The Express Entry System and The Provincial Nominee Program |
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Criteria |
The Express Entry System |
The Provincial Nominee Program |
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Application Requirements |
Minimum CRS score of 67 out of 100 possible points based on the following:
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No Minimum CRS score but a job offer is required unless their occupation appears on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list of in-demand jobs |
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Application Process |
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Nomination |
You just need an ITA or Invitation to Apply for Canada PR through IRCC |
You need a nomination from the concerned province before you receive an invite to apply for Canada PR through IRCC |
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Application Selection Process |
It is based on the CRS score |
It is based on the CRS score and labour market needs of the province or territory |
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Processing Time |
4-6 months after ITA |
Non-Express Entry Method: 15-19 months Express Entry Method: 4-6 months after ITA |
Choosing the best immigration program for Canada PR
There are certain pros and cons to weigh while choosing the best immigration program for yourself. Let us take a look at them.
#1 One of the main factors is the cost of the visa. PNP applications include an additional processing fee which varies for every province in addition to the federal immigration fees that successful provincial nominees pay to apply for permanent residence. Given below is a table for PNP Application Fee for major PNPs.
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Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
Application Fee in CAD |
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Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) |
$0 |
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British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) |
$1,150 |
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Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) |
$500 |
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New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) |
$250 |
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Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) |
$250 |
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Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) |
$0 |
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Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) |
$0 |
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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) |
$1,500-2,000 |
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Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) |
$300 |
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Quebec |
$812 |
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Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) |
$350 |
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Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) |
$0 |
The federal fee for a single candidate is $1,325. The federal fee for a dependent child is $225. In addition, the applicant has to pay a biometric fee of $85 for a single person or $170 for a family.
#2 PNPs offer a pathway to immigrate to Canada to those candidates who do not qualify for the express entry system but have certain skills that can be favourable for the Canadian economy and potential labour needs.
#3 When it comes to processing times, it is seen that the express entry pathway takes 4-6 months once you receive the ITA. So PNP candidates who are applying for Canada PR through express entry can expect a waiting time of 4-6 months. But those candidates who are applying through the non-express entry pathways, need to wait for at least 19 months for the process to get completed.
#4 Applying for Canada PR through PNP and then through express entry could be a quick way to immigrate to Canada as once you receive a nomination, you get an additional 600 points which increases your chances of receiving an ITA. Otherwise, a candidate might have to wait for an indefinite time until the cut-off scores match their CRS scores.
Which Pathway to Choose: Express Entry or Provincial Nomination?
The right answer to this question depends on your profile and financial resources. If you have the resources you can apply for a PNP and also create your express entry profile to enhance your chances of getting the PR. If you do not want to invest much money, express entry is much more affordable. It costs nothing to create your express entry profile and you do not have to pay any extra fee to a province apart from the federal fee.
Find out which pathway suits you the best! Consult V2I experts for Canada express entry and provincial nomination visa pathways. Our immigration experts have studied the pros and cons of both these pathways and can suggest to you what would be the option for you. You can seek guidance in completing your documentation for Canada PR and support every step of the application process. Contact us today and get your profile assessment done for Canadian immigration.
