Each year, Canada invites lakhs of skilled professionals either through the Express Entry Program or Provincial Nominee Program, because Canada majorly depends upon immigration to support its economy.
Along with this, Canada publishes an immigration level plan to support this system. Therefore, in 2025, Canada is going to invite around 3,95,000 skilled professionals, and this number attracts the most skilled professionals.
But a question always stays in their mind, which immigration pathway a candidate should choose to start a new life in Canada.
If you are also having this same question in your mind, this article is for you. Here, we will provide information about the best immigration pathway to secure a Canada PR Visa in 2025.
What is the Express Entry Program?
The most advantageous Canadian Federal Immigration Program, Express Entry Program, handles applications for the FSWP, FSTP, and CEC economic immigration programs.
This system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to rank candidates based on different factors, including age, educational qualification, professional qualification, language proficiency, and adaptability factors.
Applicants with the highest CRS score get an invitation to apply (ITA) for the Canada PR Visa, through regular draws released by the IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada).
The three different economic immigration programs include:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This is another famous immigration program among skilled professionals. It is intended for qualified professionals with prior job experience who wish to settle in Canada permanently.
- Federal Skilled Trade Program: The Federal Skilled Trade Program targets skilled professionals in trade fields who aim to settle permanently in Canada.
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program targets overseas students and qualified professionals with work experience in Canada who wish to settle permanently.
Eligibility criteria of Express Entry Program
Candidates must fulfill particular requirements for any of the Express Entry System’s managed programs in order to be eligible. We’ve included a list of some essential eligibility requirements below:
- Language Proficiency: Candidates planning to apply for the Canada PR Visa through Express Entry program are required to meet the minimum language proficiency requirements. For this, they have to secure at least 7 CLB levels in IELTS or CELPIP for FSWP, and if they want to apply for FSTP, then CLB level 5.
- Education Qualification: Atleast one Canadian secondary school diploma or a positive ECA (Education Credential Assessment) report for foreign education credentials.
- Work Experience: Some occupations require a minimum of two years of experience during the last seven years, while others require at least one year of continuous and relevant work experience within the last five years.
- Sufficient proof of money: Unless they are applying through the CEC program or have a legitimate work offer, candidates must provide proof of sufficient cash.
- Express Entry Profile: In order to receive a CRS score, candidates must have a valid Express Entry profile and correct information from the IRCC system.
- Candidates must pass the criminal and medical exams.
- Admissibility: Candidates are required to pass the medical and criminal background checks to enter and stay in Canada.
What is the Provincial Nominee Program?
Each Canadian province or territories have a separate PNP Program which has separate streams targeting skilled workers, entrepreneurs, or students. Therefore, the Provincial Nominee Program is another unique type of Canada Immigration program, allowing Canadian provinces or territories to nominate skilled professionals who fulfill the local labor market requirements.
Majorly, there are two pathways under this system, which include:
- Express Entry Method
- Non-Express Entry Method
Before applying for this immigration program, candidates are required to ensure that their occupation is listed under the Canada Skilled Occupation List. Under the provincial nominee program, there are over 60 categories, subcategories, and streams available for candidates to select from. If they successfully meet the eligibility criteria, they can apply for a Canada PR Visa.
Difference between the Express Entry Program and the PNP Program
Below, we have provided significant differences between the Express Entry Program and the Provincial Nominee Program.
| Criteria | Express Entry | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Overview | A federal system that oversees applications for three primary programs | A federal system that oversees applications for three primary programs |
| Main Programs | 1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 1. Skilled Worker Stream (varies by province) |
| 2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | 2. International Graduates (candidates studied in the province) | |
| 3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 3. Entrepreneur and Investor Streams | |
| Application Process | Online application via the Express Entry system | Direct application to the province first, then to IRCC for PR |
| Processing Time | six to twelve months following the issuance of an Invitation to Apply (ITA) | Depending on the province and stream, it could take six to eight months. |
| Eligibility Criteria | based on factors including age, education, employment history, language skills, etc. | Depending on the demands of the labor market in the province. |
| Points System | The applicant’s qualifications and experience are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which takes into account elements such as: | There isn’t a single point system; instead, it differs in each province. In Express Entry, nominated applicants receive an additional 600 CRS points. |
| – Age, language proficiency (IELTS), work experience, education, adaptability. | Nominated candidates can boost their profile with 600 additional CRS points. | |
| Provincial Nomination | No direct nomination from provinces, but some provinces may use Express Entry streams for PNP. | Direct nomination from a province, which guarantees a 600-point boost in the CRS score if the nominee is in Express Entry. |
| Job Offer Requirement | Not mandatory but can increase CRS points significantly. | Often required, especially for Skilled Worker and Employer-Driven streams. |
| Flexibility in Location | You can live anywhere in Canada (except Quebec, which has its own immigration program). | Must live and work in the province that nominates you for the first 2 years. |
| Best for… | Applicants with firm profiles who can quickly meet federal requirements. | Applicants with strong ties to a particular province, or those with specific job offers. |
| Draw Frequency | Bi-weekly draws (depending on program needs). | Less frequently, depending on provincial demand. |
| Permanent Residency Path | Direct path to PR through Express Entry after receiving an ITA. | After nomination, you apply to IRCC for PR, which is usually faster with the nomination. |
| Best Option For | Highly skilled workers with good language skills, and those with federal eligibility. | Individuals with ties to a specific province (job, study, family), or those with lower CRS scores. |
Which program is ideal to apply for the Canada PR Visa in 2025?
This decision typically depends on your unique situation:
- The Express Entry Program is ideal for candidates with a strong profile with good english language proficiency, relevant years of work experience, and a high CRS Score. It is considered one of the fastest and streamlined immigration programs for candidates who fulfil federal requirements.
- The Provincial Nominee Program is ideal for candidates if they have worked or studied in a specific province, have a lower CRS Score and need provincial nomination to increase their points, and candidates are willing to live, work or study in a specific province for couple of years.
If your CRS ranking is low, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can make a big difference by providing you with 600 more CRS points. This may catapult you to the front of the Express Entry pool and award you an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR.
If you need detailed guidance about which Canada Immigration Program is suitable for you based on your unique conditions, reach out to Keymart Visa via +91 9911338722 or info@keymartvisa.com
