Express Entry is an immigration system, which selects skilled workers to Canada under Economic programs. Applicants submit an online profile to the Express Entry Pool. Provincial governments across Canada select the best candidates, without a sponsor employer, who are thereafter invited by the Federal government to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Every province has implemented its own provincial immigration program PNP (Provincial Nominee Programs), each with its own criteria, in order to promote immigration policies suited to a province’s particular needs.
Provincial Nomination Programs are widely viewed as a fast-track option for many foreign nationals to gain Canadian permanent residency.
Under Express Entry the role of the provinces will become significant. In addition to the existing Provincial Nomination Programs available through Canadian provinces and territories, currently Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia have launched express entry immigration programs that complement the Canada Express Entry Immigration system. A sponsor employer is often not required.
To be selected under a provincial express entry immigration program, prospective applicants must first meet the minimum criteria for one of the three federal programs available under the express entry system (the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trade Program and the Canadian Experience Class). They must also complete a federal express entry assessment profile.
From the federal express entry pool a participating province can select between 500 to 1,000 applicants for nomination to their province each year.
Express Entry applicants nominated by the province will receive an additional 600 points in their Express Entry assessment. This will increase the chances to receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Applicants who are invited to apply could have their applications for Canadian permanent residency processed by CIC in six months or less.
