Express Entry Vs. PNP: What Should You Choose?

People often wonder about what migration option they should choose for permanent residency in Canada. So, the question arises, Express Entry Vs. PNP: What should you choose? Well, it depends on a lot of factors. First, we need to know about both migration pathways before making a comparison.

Express Entry System

It is the primary immigration system set up by the Canadian Federal Government. There are 3 different migration programs to provide permanent residence for skilled foreign immigrants.These programs are:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 

How does Express Entry System Function?

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a point-based system used for assessing each candidate and to figure out whether they are eligible or not. Various factors like work experience, age, adaptability, education, and arranged employment influence the CRS score of a candidate. People eligible to apply through any one of the Express Entry programs mentioned above are added to the special candidates’ pool.

The draw is conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the minimum points threshold is determined. Candidates having CRS score above the cut-off may then receive Invitation to Apply (ITA). After receiving ITA, all the candidates will need to gather relevant documents and pay fees for the completion of their permanent residence application. This entire process takes around six months to complete.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

A set of immigration programs created and operated by various provinces and territories of Canada is known as Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system. Currently, there are 80 provincial nominee programs. Immigration agreements have been made between provinces and Federal Government to help attract foreign nationals who can join their workforce. These programs are specifically designed to bring foreign nationals who can meet province and territory requirements and solve the problem of labour shortage.

How does PNP System Function?

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are divided into those that work with the Express Entry system and those that work independently. Both systems take more or less, the same factors into consideration like work experience, language skills, and education. These programs may also need a valid job offer or specific minimum net worth to be eligible. It is important to know about these functions before thinking about “Express Entry Vs. PNP: What should you choose?”

How to Apply for PNP without Express Entry?

A paper-based process is used by the candidates who wish to apply for PNP without Express Entry. They first require to ask the province or territory for a nomination via an application. Province or territory may notify them about their nomination if they meet the program’s minimum eligibility requirements. These candidates may then receive Canadian permanent resident status after submitting their applications. Candidates will need to provide any additional documents requested by the province or territory.

How to Apply for PNP with Express Entry?

You need a little more clarity before asking yourself “Express Entry Vs. PNP: What should you choose?” If you want to use PNP with the Express Entry System, you can use one of the following two rules:

1.      Express Entry PNP Route 1

PNP applicants should contact the province or territory they desire to move to and express their interest in obtaining an Express Entry nomination. If the province agrees to nominate the candidate, they will be required to make an online Express Entry profile and provide proof that they were nominated.

2.      Express Entry PNP Route 2

Candidates must create an active Express Entry profile and inform various provinces and territories that they are interested in immigrating. Provinces or territories provide “notification of interest” in response to the request. This notification will be added to the Express Entry profile of the applicant. The candidate can then contact directly to the province or territory for PR through the Express Entry system. Candidates will receive their nomination of permanent residency via their account.

Comparison between Express Entry and PNP

Express Entry Vs. PNP: What should you choose? Several factors are needed to determine this:

• There is a total of 3 available programs in Express Entry run by the Federal Government whereas more than 80 programs are available in PNP which are run by the Provincial and Territorial Governments.
• Eligibility Points Grid is the point system used by PNP and the CRS point system is used by Express Entry.
• You may require a valid job offer for applying through PNP with the exceptions of a few programs but you don’t need one for Express Entry.
• You can live anywhere in Canada if you’re an Express Entry applicant but if you’re applying through PNP, you have to reside in the designated province to keep your PR status intact.
• The Express Entry applications are usually processed in 4 to 6 months and PNP applications are processed in 15 to 19 months without Express Entry, they also take 4 to 6 months with Express Entry.
• Total application fee for Express Entry is CAD $ 1,365 and for PNP, it can vary anywhere from CAD $ 250 to 3,500 depending upon which program you choose.

Express Entry: Advantages and Disadvantages

If you have the right skills and background, you have a higher chance of selection. A valid job offer is not required to be eligible. Application is processed very fast, within 4 to 6 months. You can live anywhere in Canada after your application is processed. The only disadvantage is that there is a limited number of programs for which thousands of people apply every year which makes your chances of immigrating through the Express Entry system relatively less.

PNP: Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a large number of programs and more ways to apply, hence higher chances of selection. Disadvantages are that applications take much longer time to process, you need to give potentially more fees and you will be bound to live in one province.Now you can decide better that Express Entry Vs. PNP: What should you choose?