The primary benefit is that the Express Entry program candidates may not have a high enough CRS score to get an ITA from the Federal Government. Despite that, they can boost their score by applying to an ‘enhanced’ PNP program.
Moreover, a candidate in the Express Entry program can state that they would like to work or settle in a particular province or territory while filling out their application. The provincial government will review the application and determine whether the candidate would be a good match.
If they are, the provincial government will send a notification of interest to the applicant, which means that the candidate can apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Based on the CRS, provincial nomination results in an Express Entry candidate obtaining an extra 600 points, which is essentially a guarantee they will receive an ITA.
Where Do You Settle Under Each Program?
The Canadian Constitution specifically states that Canadian citizens and permanent residents have “Mobility Rights.”
What that means is that they can freely move around the country and settle in any province or territory to live and work there.
When you apply for permanent residency in Canada under a provincial nomination, it means you want to settle in that particular province or territory. However, you are still legally permitted to move to another province or territory, according to your Mobility Rights.
The provincial governments strongly recommend that you are honest about your residency intentions when submitting your PNP application. You are also encouraged to settle in the province that gave you residence before moving to another province or territory.
The Express Entry program is more flexible about where you settle when you immigrate to Canada. If you gain permanent residence through Express Entry without being a provincial nominee, you can settle in any province other than for Quebec, which runs its own immigration system.
