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Canada is one of the most popular countries to migrate to. It is a country that has a high standard of living, low crime rates and good quality of life. For those who are interested in migrating to Canada, there are some requirements that need to be met. If you’ve done any research on Canadian immigration, you would have heard about the most popular ways to move to Canada: Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Express Entry System is an online application system for permanent residents in Canada. This system was created as a result of the growing number of applicants who wanted to move to Canada and was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). On the other hand, the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) is a Canadian immigration program that enables provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada.
Express Entry vs PNP
Canada’s Express Entry and Provincial Nomination Programs are two different immigration programs. When considering immigration to Canada, understanding the disparities between the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) is crucial. Here are the top three differences that can impact your immigration strategy:
- Selection Process:
- Express Entry: Operates on a federal level, using a points-based system that assesses factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
- PNP: Involves provincial or territorial governments nominating candidates based on their specific economic and labor market needs.
- Application Control:
- Express Entry: Applicants have more control as they directly submit their profiles to the federal system and are invited to apply for permanent residence based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- PNP: Provinces or territories have more control over the selection process, targeting candidates who meet their specific criteria and addressing regional economic needs.
- Processing Time:
- Express Entry: Generally has a faster processing time, providing a streamlined and efficient route to permanent residence.
- PNP: Processing times can vary and may depend on the specific province or territory, potentially resulting in longer wait times.
What are the requirements for the Express Entry system?
Canada's Express Entry System is a point-based system that determines which applicants will be invited to apply for permanent residence. There are three streams under this system:
The eligibility criteria for Express Entry Skilled Worker Program include:
- Age: 18 years of age or older
- Education: A recognized Canadian educational credential, or a completed foreign educational credential equivalent to a Canadian credential at the post-secondary level, or a certificate of completion of an academic program at the post-secondary level
- Language Skills: At least one of Canada’s two official languages (English and French)
- Work Experience: One year (3,900 hours) within the last five years in one occupation listed under National Occupational Classification 0, A or B.
- A qualifying job offer from an employer in Canada can also satisfy this requirement.
It is vital to ensure that you are eligible before applying. The best way to do this is to check your eligibility.
Which provinces participate in the PNP?
There are ten provinces in Canada and three territories. Only 11 provinces have their own provincial nominee program. These are:
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP)
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
Although there are specific requirements for each PNP depending on what you intend to do in Canada, the "intention to settle" is the key criterion for eligibility. For instance, you must provide evidence of your connections to a specific province, such as family or employment, when you apply for a provincial Nomination program. As the region has nominated you to live and work in Canada while you contribute to that region, you must also intend to stay in the province once your permanent residency has been granted.
How do Express Entry & PNP Function together?
Express Entry & PNP function together to make sure that only the most qualified people are granted permanent residency in Canada.
You’ll have to create an Express Entry profile which contains all your information. You can then apply for a PNP. Your profile can be used by a province to nominate them for an economic immigration program. That will create a notification of interest in settling and working in a particular province in your account.
If you accept the provincial nomination, the system will determine if you match the PNP's standards, and you'll receive a note informing you of the nomination on your account. You will receive 600 more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points after your profile is added to the Express Entry pool, which will increase your chances of receiving an application invitation radically.
You can receive a nomination to apply for a particular stream in a province or territory if you are currently in the Express Entry pool and want to be considered for the PNP in two ways
- A direct application to the province or territory
- Through your account when a province or territory approaches you after finding your profile.
The Focus On Regional Immigration
Although these two immigration programs work simultaneously, it’s believed that the Canadian government will increase the number of newcomers welcome to the Great White North through the PNPs.
PNPs offer a better chance of improving industries and the economy by targeting specific skills needed by different regions.
Over the next three years, Canada intends to increase immigration through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). On November 1, the Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025 was unveiled, claiming that PNPs would receive more visas than the Federal High Skilled category.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated in the government's press release that the purpose of the increase was to emphasize regional immigration in the 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan.
The PNP targets were not broken down by whether applicants used Express Entry or a base PNP stream.
A shift in immigration targets
In the past, Express Entry has struggled to draw immigrants from areas outside of major urban centers. This is due to the fact that some Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, do not always require applicants to have prior Canadian work experience. The Federal Skilled Worker Program was the main source of new immigrants from the Express Entry system before the pandemic.
When IRCC begins inviting Express Entry candidates based on criteria other than the Comprehensive Ranking System in early 2023, that may change (CRS). In addition to other economic factors like occupation and French language proficiency outside of Quebec, the IRCC will have the ability to invite candidates based on regional standards.
In Canada, the federal government is primarily in charge of immigration, although the provinces are also given a voice. The provinces can support immigration applications by developing their own PNP programs or, in the case of Quebec, by setting up their own immigration ministries. The federal government, through IRCC, has the final word on who receives permanent status.
The federal government has been urged to boost its allocation of immigrants by Canadian provinces.
Express Entry vs. PNP - Pros and Cons
| Express Entry | PNP | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
Faster processing time Streamlined application process Direct control for applicants Nationwide application scope Consistent federal standards |
Targeted selection based on regional needs Opportunities for candidates with lower CRS scores Increased chances for specific occupations in demand Flexibility in eligibility criteria Provincial control over immigration policies |
| Cons |
Less control for provinces May not address specific regional needs Higher CRS score requirements May limit options for specific occupations |
Longer processing times Dependent on specific provincial policies May have limited quotas for nominations Potentially complex eligibility criteria |
How We Can Help You
To move to Canada as quickly and efficiently as possible, get someone on your side. At canadianvisa.org, we work with specialized Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants who are experts in Canadian immigration (RCICs)
FAQs
Can I have Express Entry and PNP at the same time?
Yes, you may submit a joint Express Entry and PNP application for Canadian permanent residence. You must first submit your application through Express Entry, for which you must meet the 67-point requirement.
Which Province has the most immigration authority?
Quebec has the most immigration authority. The province determines its own immigration policies, and if a federal immigration program is established. Quebec must choose to participate instead of being included by default. It's also the reason Quebec isn't included in PNPs and Express Entry.
Which PNP is easiest?
Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities. This stream is regarded as one of the simpler PNPs for international candidates to receive PR because it frequently attracts profiles without a link to the province.
