Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Which one is Better?

Immigrants to Canada might think, “Which is better, PNP or Express Entry?”. The guide will sum up everything about the two in detail.

What is Express Entry System?

Express Entry immigration program in Canada is the fastest and most popular option for newcomers. The system is managed by the Canadian Federal Government. The three leading Canadian immigration programs for individuals immigrating to Canada are:

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the most popular and successful pathways for immigrants living and working in Canada.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled Worker Program is an immigration route for applicants who have never worked or studied in Canada.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The program opens a pathway for skilled trades workers to get the status of permanent residency in Canada.

How does the Express Entry System Works?

The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate the profiles of the candidates based on age, work experience, education, and adjustability. Candidates who applied under express entry programs are added to a pool. High-scoring candidates shall receive ITA. Applicants are requested to be ready with valid documents and payment of the fees.

What is Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a popular pathway for skilled professionals to immigrate to Canada and get permanent resident status. There are more than 80 provincial immigration streams that are aimed to attract workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs. Each program is designed to fulfill the labor force requirements. However, many different nominee programs have varying eligibility criteria for Canada’s ten provinces, except Quebec and Nunavut.

How does the PNP system work?

The PNP programs are divided into application processes without express entry and with express entry.

PNP Without the Express Entry

Internationals who wish to apply for PNP without Express Entry can do so by a paper-based process and may ask the province for a nomination using an application. Assuming they meet the program’s eligibility criteria, the province or territory might notify them about their selection. These candidates may then present their applications and get Canadian PR status.

PNP with the Express Entry

Applicants who intend to use the PNP with the Express Entry System can use one of two pathways:

Pathway #1
The PNP candidates if wish to move to Canada should contact the province to get an Express Entry Nomination. Assuming the province chooses the candidate, an Express Entry profile is created.

Pathway #2
The PNP candidate should begin by creating an Express Entry Profile and should tell the different Canadian provinces and domains about their interest in moving to Canada. Provinces that answer this request will communicate a “notification of interest”. The applicant may then contact the province or territory directly and apply for PR through the Express Section System.

PNP vs Express Entry: Which one is Better?

Let’s examine PNP vs. Express Entry in several different ways

Point of Difference	PNP System	Express Entry System
Programs governed by	Provincial or Territory Government	Federal Government
Programs	More than 80	3
Evaluation System	Point Grid (Varies by Province)	CRS system
Application	2 (With or without Express Entry)	1
Flexibility	Cannot live anywhere in Canada	Can live anywhere in Canada
Processing	4 to 6 Months for PNPs with Express Entry	4 to 6 Months
Fee	CAD $250 to 3,500	CAD &1,365

Article Tags: Canada Immigration Guide