Express Entry Vs Canada PNP | Which One is Better to Get PR Visa in Canada?
Express Entry Vs Canada PNP: Putting up a question as to which program is better among the two can bring a lot of confusion! The reason being, a better or an easy immigration pathway largely depends on how well you as an applicant understand the Canadian PR process and protocol and how well you meet the selection criteria.
Moreover, a parameter to judge a better Canada PR pathway also includes a lot of factors like available visa options, number of allocated places, processing times, eligibility requirements, and so on.
To bring forward a clear picture, we’ll discuss the key difference between Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program in this blog.
Visa Application mode
For Express Entry, you are required to create an online profile, meet the key criteria, and enter the pool. Once you are in the pool, the IRCC ranks your profile against other candidates. The highest-ranking candidates are then issued an invitation to apply for Canadian PR through regular Express Entry draws.
While, in case of PNP, you have a choice either to directly apply for provincial nomination under your preferred PNP stream or apply under Express Entry by showing that you are interested in all provinces and territories. If a province finds you eligible, then you get a notification of interest which allows you to apply for a provincial nomination under Express Entry aligned PNP Stream.
Selection Process
Under Express Entry, you are selected on the basis of your CRS score, while, under PNP, you get an NOI as per your CRS score and labour market need of a particular Canadian province.
But, due to a large number of profiles and higher CRS cut-offs in the Express Entry, the chances of selection is comparatively lower than that of PNPs. The reason is obvious, most of the PNPs, like Alberta Express Entry Stream, Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream, Saskatchewan Express Entry and Occupation in-demand streams, etc. invite candidates from the pool even with a CRS score ranging between 300-400 points.
Processing Time
The processing time for both the program varies. For express entry, the processing time is the record low, i.e. 4-6 months, while, for PNP, its takes 4 to 6 months for Express Entry Aligned stream, but, for a Non-Express Entry Stream, the processing time is approximately 15 to 19 months.
Application Notification
Under the Express Entry system, once the IRCC accepts an application, you will get your nomination letter from a selected province, while, in the case of PNP, you get a provincial nomination along with 600 additional points that are eventually added to your overall CRS score. This eventually guarantees you an ITA from the IRCC for Canada PR visa in the upcoming draw.
Application process
| Steps to apply in Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker Program | Step to apply in PNP via Express Entry |
| Gather required documents (language test results, ECA report, proof of funds etc.) | Meet minimum eligibility criteria |
| Check whether you meet the FSW minimum score requirement, i.e. 67 points | Create and submit an Express Entry profile |
| Create and submit an Express Entry profile | Meet the Express Entry criteria and requirements for one of the three federal immigration programs |
| Enter the pool of candidates where you’ll be ranked using a points-based system, i.e. CRS | Select the province of your choice, or select option of ‘All provinces and territories’ |
| Receive an invitation and apply for permanent residence | If province finds you eligible, you’ll get a “notification of interest” letter |
| Submit your application for permanent residence along with documents and fees within 60 days | Apply to the relevant PNP- Express Entry stream |
| Wait till the IRCC process application, i.e. within 4-6 months time | Get a Provincial Nomination in your Express Entry account |
| Upon application approval, get Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa via mail | Accept the nomination within 30 calendar days |
| You will get 600 additional points for nomination and subsequently, the ITA | |
| Get an invitation to apply for Canada permanent residence upon accepting the nomination | |
| Submit application and documents within 60 days | |
| Get COPR once your application and documents are verified and processed |