Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program?

When seeking to immigrate to Canada, a skilled worker can opt to submit an Express Entry profile while simultaneously applying for a PNP stream. By joining the Express Entry pool, a candidate can make their profile visible to provinces and territories, who can then review the profile and issue an invitation to apply to their PNP. If an invitation is accepted, the candidate can complete and submit a PNP application to the respective province or territory.

Applying to both programs can have significant advantages for the candidate. It’s possible that the candidate’s initial ranking score under the Express Entry system may not be sufficient to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the federal government. However, they can improve their score by participating in an “enhanced” PNP program.

If an applicant is eligible for an Express Entry program, they can indicate their preference to settle in a specific province. The provincial government can then assess the candidate’s suitability for the province and issue a notification of interest to invite the applicant to apply for a provincial nomination.

Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of the Express Entry system, receiving a provincial nomination translates to an additional 600 points. This effectively guarantees the candidate an ITA. Overall, applying to both the Express Entry and PNP programs can be a strategic move for a skilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada.