Express Entry v/s PNP: Which One To Apply For?

Express Entry & PNP are the two biggest pathways for new permanent residents coming to Canada every year. Here’s all about Express Entry v/s PNP. 

In 2024, both Express Entry & PNP will account for 220,770 new immigrants out of 485,000 that the nation will welcome. 

For many seeking to immigrate to Canada, a simple question might emerge, i.e., Express Entry v/s PNP: Which one should I apply for? Well, both pathways have their own advantages. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

Which Is Express Entry? 

The Express Entry management system is one of Canada’s major pathways for economic immigrants. Express Entry manages the intake of three immigration programs, i.e., Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Program, & Federal Skilled Worker Program.

In 2024, Express Entry is expected to be the most prominent pathway for immigrants/ newcomers to the country. Canada plans to welcome 110,770 permanent residents via these programs.   

Before submitting a profile to Express Entry, applicants must meet at least one eligibility requirement for all three programs. Once an individual is eligible and submits their profile under one of the Express Entry programs, they are officially an Express Entry applicant with a profile in the pool. 

Once a profile is submitted to the Express Entry pool, all applicants are assigned a CRS score based on their human capital factors, like age, work experience, education, etc. 

To receive ITA for PR, candidates must wait for an Express Entry draw with a minimum CRS score matching theirs. After one year, Express Entry applicants can resubmit their profile.

After an ITA is obtained, candidates become applicants. In addition, they must submit an application to IRCC for PR within 60 days of being invited. If this application is approved, newcomers are granted PR & might settle as well as reside in Canada. 

Canadian provinces can also invite applicants from the Federal Express Entry pool of eligible applicants. This can occur via special PNP streams known as enhanced streams. These Express Entry-aligned streams differ from standalone or Base PNP streams. 

Lastly, to obtain a nomination under an enhanced stream, individuals must be invited from the Federal Express Entry pool or from the territorial/ provincial pool of eligible applicants to submit an enhanced PNP application to the province/ territory. Applicants who obtain provincial nominations obtain an additional 600 CRS points, thus increasing their chances of obtaining an ITA from the Federal Government. 

What Are Base Provincial Nominee Programs? 

In this Express Entry v/s PNP discussion, let us now discuss Provincial Nominee Programs. 

Base PNPs are streams that are not Express Entry-aligned & are administered by a territorial/ provincial government. These streams must be applied separately & have their own individual eligibility criteria. 

Moreover, Base Provincial Nominee Programs were initially created to help provinces & territories respond more directly to local demographic & labor market challenges by allowing provincial & territorial governments to nominate eligible newcomers to settle & live in their jurisdiction. 

Every province & territory in Canada, except Quebec & Nunavut, runs its own PNPs. Eligibility can differ depending on what program one applies to. However, it often involves having resided, studied, or worked within a province/ territory, working within an in-demand profession, or having human capital factors that a province deems beneficial to the local economy. 

PNPs are Canada’s second largest pathway for newcomers this year & exist to spread the benefits of immigration throughout the nation. Thus, PNPs in 2025 & 2026 are projected to overtake all other immigration pathways.