Navigating the process of accepting a Provincial Nomination is essential if you qualify for Express Entry category-based selection.
Most Canadian provinces have established Provincial Nominee Programs to expedite immigration processing based on provincial requirements. PNP has turned out to be a leading program for immigrants and promises to welcome at least 117,500 new immigrants each year toward the end of 2025. Most PNP admissions will also incorporate express entry candidates.
Express Entry Category-based selection draws
This year itself, Canada commenced the Express Entry category-based selection draws. However, Express Entry selected candidates applying for the economic-class programs for many years using the CRS scores. These programs include the Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and FSWP. The newly launched category draws of Express Entry started selecting candidates with work experience in specific sectors and French language skills. The scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System took a backseat. Canada’s government executed this new system to combat the prevalent labor shortages in specific sectors and preserve the French community.
The new categories introduced by the Canadian government for Express Entry are as follows:
- Excellent proficiency in French language skills
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Transport
- Trades including Carpenters, Contractors, and Plumbers
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
What is the purpose of the Express Entry new categories?
Earlier, the draws under Express Entry chose candidates depending on their skills or semi-skills. However, the current new Express Entry selection system focuses on candidates with work experience in specific occupations. The new categories under Express Entry are a way to deal with the existing labor shortages in the country. Most Canadian employers face this labor shortage due to the unavailability of adequate professionals in the fields. This is also because becoming a Canadian professional requires them to gain the necessary skills, which takes time. On the other hand, the demand for such workers is rising. The sub-categories of Express Entry help appropriate workers to enter the labor market pool.
Lastly, the number of youngsters moving to other places to adapt to English-speaking communities has increased. However, Canada believes in protecting its Francophone culture through the French-speaking category.
Navigating the Work Process of a Provincial Nomination Program
The Provincial Nominee Program under Canadian immigration comprises two chief options for those who seek to apply for permanent residence. They’re as follows:
- Directly applying to a province or territory;
- The other process is linked to Express Entry.
Applying directly to the province or territory
This direct application method will require you to submit a paper application through mail or courier. Also, this approach could be time-consuming as it might take up to 15 to 19 months to understand whether your application was successful or not. This process is generally known as the “Base Nomination”.
Express Entry aligned process
The Express Entry aligned path comprises two paths:
- Applying via the Provincial Nominee Express Entry Stream – All Canadian provinces possess an Express Entry stream and an official list of in-demand occupations. It provides a much more expedited processing (six to eight months on average). It also offers greater chances of receiving an ITA.
- Expression of Interest – After creating a profile of Express Entry, send an expression of interest to specific provinces or territories. This will permit the province to accept your profile directly from the Express Entry pool. It will further send you a provincial nomination. However, you must ensure you meet their skill and experience needs. Nominations sent to candidates in the Express Entry pool are the Enhanced Nominations. They add 600 points to the CRS.
Similarity between Express Entry new categories and PNP
Specific PNP streams are similar to the Express Entry category-based draws. Take the example of British Columbia, which sends nominations to candidates each week. These are candidates working in healthcare professions, and the province also holds draws for workers in tech occupations. Some provinces in Canada also possess dedicated streams, typically focusing on candidates with work experience. They also target those working in professions with a higher demand in the provincial labor force.
Navigating the process of accepting a Provincial Nomination if you qualify for category-based selection
A PNP nomination proves beneficial even if you exist in the Express Entry pool and work in professions under one of the newly introduced categories.
According to IRCC, it doesn’t plan to stop organizing either all-program or program-specific draws for the following:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program;
- The Canadian Experience Class;
- The FSTP; and
- PNP candidates with Express Entry profiles
The Category draws have mostly witnessed candidates get invitations under the all-program draws. The CRS score attribute is the deciding factor in an all-program draw. Hence, the overall CRS score of the candidate must be higher.
When talking about the Category-based selection draws, the CRS score is still relevant. However, it might be lower than an all-program draw’s CRS score. Despite this, the candidate’s ability to surpass the minimum CRS score is beneficial.
Navigating the process of not accepting a Provincial Nomination
The above details cater to the advantages of accepting a provincial nomination. However, there might be a few disadvantages, and not accepting a provincial nomination might be the right thing to do. The following scenarios might dictate you to not accept a provincial nomination:
- Most candidates who already have a higher CRS score might not accept a provincial nomination. Even if a candidate has received an Enhanced Nomination, the Express Entry and PNP process is different.
- If a candidate obtains an invitation to apply through the non-PNP Express Entry aligned process, they must pay a single application fee. Also, they will need to submit only one PR application.
- Enhanced nominations increase your immigration time because you will need to wait for the application’s decision. This is precisely because you will have to submit two applications. After receiving an enhanced nomination, you will need to submit one application and fee to the province directly. We’re talking about the province that nominates you. However, after approval, you will again have to submit your PR application and its fee to IRCC. A few provinces don’t ask for any fee, while some of them do.
PNP application fee structures
Ontario is globally recognized for being a popular destination among new immigrants. However, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program does have an application fee. The fee will depend on what program you choose. PhD Graduate, Master’s Graduate, International Student Streams, and Employer Job Offer demand a fee of $1,500.
The application charge for the Employer Job Offer (Foreign Worker and In-Demand streams, the application fees is as follows:
- $1,500 – Employment offer outside the GTA.
- $2,000 – Job offer within the GTA.
The British Columbia application fees differ for each program. The fee is $1,475 for Skills Immigration application and goes up to $3,500 for streams such as entrepreneur or strategic project. Alberta offers an application fee of $500 for digital applications. Nova Scotia doesn’t seek any fee from applicants for its PNP. The Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians focuses on applicants who have prior work experience in any of the in-demand professions in the healthcare sector. The province generally targets individuals with experience in specific in-demand occupations.
