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Posted on December 06 2024

What are the differences between Canada Express Entry and Canada PNP?

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By  Editor
Updated December 06 2024

The Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are Canada's most popular PR pathways. Express Entry is a federal immigration system that manages three other economic immigration pathways for skilled foreign workers, while PNP allows the Canadian provinces to target candidates based on provincial requirements. The immigration programs conduct regular Canada PR draws to invite eligible candidates to the country. Around 97,818 Invitations were issued through the 51 Express Entry Draws held in 2024, whereas 79,969 candidates were invited to apply for Canada PR through the Canada PNP draws. The Express Entry and Canada PNP offer PR pathways; however, each program's eligibility criteria, requirements, and process vary.

 

*Want to check your eligibility to Canada? Avail of the FREE Y-Axis Canada Immigration points Calculator to get an instant score.

 

Canada Express Entry vs. Canada PNP

You can refer to the below table to learn more about the Canada Express Entry and the Canada PNP programs:

Factors

Canada Express Entry

Canada PNP

Overview of the program

The Express Entry system is an immigration program that manages PR applications from skilled workers under federal economic programs.

Canadian provinces and territories nominate and invite candidates to apply for PR based on their provincial economic needs.        

Who manages the program?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Individual Canadian provinces

Flexibility

Candidates selected through the Express Entry program can live anywhere in Canada.

Candidates selected through the Canada PNP can only live in the selected province.

What does the program focus on?

Express Entry invites skilled workers to meet the country's labor market requirements.

PNP invites candidates to meet the labor market requirements in specific Canadian provinces or territories.

Streams under the program

Federal skilled worker program (FSWP), Federal skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Varies based on provinces

How are the invitations issued?

Regular Express Entry draws

Regular Canada PNP draws

Selection criteria

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

Varies based on the province or Canadian territory

Minimum points required to qualify for the program

67 points out of 100

If the candidates have a provincial nomination, 600 points will be added to their overall CRS score. This increases their chances of getting an ITA from the Express Entry program, which conducts PNP-aligned Express Entry Draws.    

Eligibility Criteria

Must score 67 points in six factors (Age, Language proficiency, education, work experience, job offer in Canada, adaptability) on the CRS points calculator.  

The eligibility criterion varies for each province and territory. However, documents, including a job offer, educational qualifications, work experience, etc., are required.

Application process

Step 1: Complete your ECA

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Step 2: Check your eligibility

Step 2: Go through the PNP selection criteria

Step 3: Create an Express Entry profile

Step 3: Arrange the requirements

Step 4: Calculate your CRS score

Step 4: Apply for the Canada PNP program of your choice

Step 5: Receive an ITA for Canada PR

Step 5: Fly to Canada

Processing Time

6 months or less

Varies depending on the type of province and the immigration stream

Processing Fee

CAD 1,525 (CAD950 Processing fee + CAD575 permanent residence fee)

CAD 1,525 (CAD950 Processing fee + CAD575 permanent residence fee)

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canada Immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!

Tags:

Canada Express Entry

Canada PNP

Canada Express Entry

permanent residence in Canada

Canada PR

Canada PNP

Canada Immigration

Canada PR visa

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Express Entry Draws

Canada PNP Draws

Canada PR Draws

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