Express Entry vs Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
How the federal Express Entry system and provincial nomination fit together — and where they differ.
Last reviewed 2026-11-07 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
Express Entry is IRCC's online system for three federal programs (CEC, FSW, FST); IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates. The PNP lets a province or territory nominate you, and it has two routes: through Express Entry, where a nomination adds 600 CRS points, or outside Express Entry, through IRCC's PR Portal. IRCC's current estimates are about 6 months (CEC), about 7 months (PNP through Express Entry) and about 13 months (PNP outside Express Entry).
Side by side
| Express Entry (federal programs) | PNP through Express Entry | PNP outside Express Entry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who selects you | IRCC, by CRS rank in rounds of invitations | The province nominates you; IRCC then invites you | The province nominates you; you apply to IRCC directly |
| Must you qualify for a federal program? | Yes — CEC, FSW or FST | Yes — CEC, FSW or FST | No — only the provincial stream's criteria |
| Effect on CRS | Your score decides whether you're invited | +600 points once you accept the nomination | Not ranked by CRS |
| Deadlines | 60 days to apply after an invitation | 30 days to accept a nomination; 60 days to apply after an invitation | Set by the province, then apply online in the PR Portal |
| IRCC service standard | 180 days for 80% of complete applications | 180 days (not counting the province's processing) | 11 months (not counting the province's processing) |
| IRCC estimate if you apply today (October 9, 2026) | CEC About 6 months · FSW About 7 months | About 7 months | About 13 months |
| Government fees (principal adult) | $1,590 incl. right of PR fee | $1,590 to IRCC, plus any provincial fee | $1,590 to IRCC, plus any provincial fee |
This table describes each program's published rules. It doesn't say which one suits you — that depends on your full situation.
How the routes connect
Most PNP streams that run through Express Entry need you to have an Express Entry profile. You can be nominated by applying to a province directly, or a province can contact you through your profile with a "notification of interest" — which IRCC stresses is not a nomination. Quebec and Nunavut don't have PNPs.
Provinces set their own criteria and selection systems, and many publish their own draws: see all provincial programs and IRCC's Express Entry PNP rounds. Check your federal eligibility with the FSW 67-point calculator and your ranking with the CRS calculator.
Fees in detail
IRCC charges the same economic-class fees for both: $1,590 per adult (processing fee plus the $600 right of permanent residence fee, which is refunded if you withdraw or are refused), $270 per dependent child, and $85 biometrics per person ($170 per family). Provinces may charge their own application fees.
Official sources
| What we checked | Official page |
|---|---|
| Two PNP routes, 600 points | IRCC — How the PNP works (canada.ca) |
| Must qualify for an EE program; Quebec and Nunavut | IRCC — PNP through Express Entry: eligibility (canada.ca) |
| 30 days to accept, notification of interest | IRCC — Get and confirm a nomination (canada.ca) |
| 60 days to apply | IRCC — PNP: apply for permanent residence (canada.ca) |
| PR Portal for non-Express Entry | IRCC — PNP outside Express Entry: apply (canada.ca) |
| 180-day and 11-month service standards | IRCC — Service standards (canada.ca) |
| Current processing estimates | IRCC — Check processing times (canada.ca) |
| $1,590, $600, $270, $85 fees | IRCC fee list (ircc.canada.ca) |
Sources last checked 2026-11-07. Rules and fees change; the official page always wins.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PNP faster than Express Entry?+
It depends on the route. IRCC's service standard is 180 days for PNP applications through Express Entry and 11 months for those outside it, not counting the province's own processing. IRCC's current estimates are about 7 months and about 13 months respectively.
How many CRS points is a provincial nomination?+
600. IRCC says that's the maximum for additional points, and it's added once you accept the nomination in your profile.
Can I apply to a PNP without Express Entry?+
Yes, through a province's non-Express Entry streams. You don't need to qualify for a federal Express Entry program, but you apply to IRCC through the PR Portal after you're nominated.
Is a notification of interest a nomination?+
No. IRCC says a notification of interest from a province isn't a nomination and doesn't guarantee one.
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