How to apply to the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program Simultaneously?

When one is planning to embark on a journey to Canada, then immigration system opens doors to new possibilities for you and your family. The Canadian government has offered a lot of diverse routes for Permanent Residency (PR), including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). 

As someone who is enthusiastically keen on getting to Canada as soon as possible, one can choose to apply through two different pathways: Express Entry and provincial nominee program at the same time. Applying to both simultaneously can notably enhance your prospects of obtaining PR, provided you satisfy the PR eligibility criteria for each.

What is the Canada Express Entry program?

Express Entry stands as the quickest and most popular choice for immigrants seeking a Canada PR visa. It's a points-based mechanism evaluating candidates' profiles on age, language skills, work experience, education, and adaptability. There are three main program to which Express Entry caters to three primary economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) In Express Entry, you must create an online profile, accruing points for eligibility factors. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score influences your pool ranking and PR chances.

 
What is the Provincial Nominee Program for Canada Immigration?

Provincial Nominee Programs offer another pathway for Canadian PR Visa. Each Canadian province sets its criteria focusing on work experience, education, and commitment to settling in that province. These programs include:

• OINP – Ontario’s PNP
• MPNP - Manitoba’s PNP
• AINP – Alberta’s PNP
• BC PNP – British Columbia’s PNP
• PEI – Prince Edward Island’s PNP
• NBPNP – New Brunswick’s PNP, among others.

What are the key considerations for applying to the Canada Express Entry program and  provincial nominee program simultaneously?

The key considerations for the Simultaneous Applications for Express Entry and PNP are –

Eligibility: Each PNP has unique criteria, sometimes necessitating a local job offer or specific occupational skills. For Express Entry, eligibility for one of the three federal programs (FSWP, FSTP, CEC) is required.

• Express Entry Profile: Creating a profile is essential for both processes. A provincial nomination through PNP adds 600 CRS points in the Express Entry system, almost ensuring an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• ITA and PR Application: After receiving your ITA, you submit your PR application and documents to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada). Final approval grants you the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), enabling you to live and work in the nominating province.

Meeting both Express Entry and PNP eligibility significantly raises your chances of settling in Canada. Getting selected in PNP will provide a better chance of being selected for the express entry with the additional 600 bonus point score added to the profile. Transparency is the key when one is making an impactful decision, like applying through both the programs. One should always notify the authorities that you have another application filed as well. A good immigration consultancy can help you through the process effectively and improve your chances of selection as well.