They are not either-or
Express Entry is the federal system for three programs. Provincial programs nominate people the province wants. The two connect through enhanced streams: a province selects someone with an Express Entry profile, and the nomination adds 600 CRS points.
| Enhanced (EE-aligned) | Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs an Express Entry profile | Yes | No |
| CRS points from nomination | +600 | Not applicable |
| Federal processing | Express Entry (6-month standard) | Paper or online PR application, usually longer |
| Typical candidates | People who meet FSW/CEC/FST | People who do not qualify for Express Entry, including some TEER 4–5 workers |
How to decide
- If your CRS is close to recent CEC or category cutoffs, focus on raising it directly.
- If your CRS is far below and you have a job offer, local work or study in a province, a provincial stream is often more realistic.
- If you do not meet any Express Entry program, base streams and federal pilots are the main options.
Run the pathway finder to see both kinds side by side.
Common questions
Can I apply to more than one province?
You can be in several provincial pools, but you can only accept one nomination, and you must intend to live in that province.
Does a nomination guarantee permanent residence?
No. IRCC still assesses admissibility, documents and your intent to live in the province.