If you have created an Express Entry profile for Canadian permanent residence, you may have heard that a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination can significantly improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
But what actually happens after Express Entry? Can you apply for a provincial nomination after entering the Express Entry pool? How does the nomination affect your CRS score? What happens after you receive the nomination? And do you still need to submit a separate permanent residence application?
These are common questions for people planning to immigrate to Canada.
This guide explains how provincial nomination works after Express Entry, including the Express Entry PNP process, CRS points, provincial nomination requirements, ITA, and what happens after nomination.
Important: Canadian immigration rules and provincial streams can change. Always check the latest requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the province or territory involved before submitting an application.
What Is a Provincial Nomination?
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows participating provinces and territories to nominate people who may contribute to their local economies.
Each province or territory has its own immigration streams and selection requirements. These may target people with particular occupations, work experience, education, language abilities, Canadian connections, or other characteristics.
Quebec has its own immigration system, while Nunavut does not have a Provincial Nominee Program.
For Express Entry candidates, the most important type is an Express Entry-linked or “enhanced” PNP stream.
The basic idea is simple:
Province nominates you → nomination is added to your Express Entry profile → you receive 600 additional CRS points → your ranking can increase substantially → you may receive an ITA for permanent residence.
Can You Get a Provincial Nomination After Creating an Express Entry Profile?
Yes, in some cases.
Creating an Express Entry profile does not automatically mean that you have applied for every provincial program. A province may have an Express Entry-linked stream for which you can apply if you meet its requirements.
The exact process depends on the province and the particular stream.
Some provinces may allow eligible Express Entry candidates to submit an expression of interest or application directly to the province. In other cases, the province may identify candidates in the Express Entry pool and issue a notification of interest.
This is why there is no single PNP after Express Entry process that applies to everyone.
Your first step should be to identify the provinces whose PNP streams match your profile and then check their current eligibility criteria.
How Does Provincial Nomination Affect Your CRS Score?
This is one of the biggest reasons Express Entry candidates consider a provincial nomination.
Under the current Comprehensive Ranking System, a provincial or territorial nomination provides 600 additional CRS points.
For example, imagine that your current CRS score is:
CRS score before nomination: 470
If you receive a valid Express Entry-linked provincial nomination:
470 + 600 = 1,070 CRS points
The 600 points are added to your existing CRS score. They do not replace your age, education, language, Canadian work experience, or other CRS factors.
The CRS has a maximum total score of 1,200 points.
This large increase is why a provincial nomination can make such a major difference for someone whose CRS score may not otherwise be competitive.
However, receiving 600 points should not be interpreted as an automatic guarantee of permanent residence. You still need to meet the requirements of the applicable immigration program, receive an ITA, submit a complete application, and satisfy IRCC’s admissibility and other requirements.
Step-by-Step: How Provincial Nomination Works After Express Entry
The process can be easier to understand when broken into stages.
Step 1: Check Your Express Entry Eligibility
Before you can benefit from an Express Entry-linked PNP stream, you generally need to qualify for both the relevant provincial stream and an Express Entry-managed federal program.
Express Entry manages three federal economic immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
Your eligibility depends on the specific program and your personal circumstances.
Being eligible for Express Entry does not mean that you automatically qualify for a provincial nomination. The province has its own criteria.
Step 2: Create Your Express Entry Profile
If you meet the requirements for an Express Entry program, you can create an Express Entry profile.
You provide information such as your:
- Age
- Education
- Language test results
- Work experience
- Canadian work experience, if applicable
- Family information
- Other relevant factors
The information in your profile is used to calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System score, commonly called the CRS score.
Eligible candidates enter the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked against other candidates.
Step 3: Look for a Suitable Provincial Nominee Stream
After entering the Express Entry pool, you can investigate provincial nomination opportunities.
This is an important stage because every province has different priorities.
For example, a province may focus on particular occupations, workers with Canadian experience, graduates, French-speaking candidates, entrepreneurs, or people with connections to the province.
Do not assume that having a high CRS score automatically qualifies you for a PNP.
Likewise, do not assume that having a job offer automatically means you will receive a nomination.
Read the requirements for the specific stream carefully.
Step 4: Apply to the Province or Respond to a Provincial Interest
Depending on the PNP stream, the province may require you to submit an application, expression of interest, or other information.
Some Express Entry-linked streams may identify candidates from the federal Express Entry pool.
If a province sends you a notification of interest, follow the province’s instructions carefully. A notification of interest is not the same thing as a nomination.
You must still satisfy the province’s requirements and complete the required process.
Step 5: Receive the Provincial Nomination
If the province approves your application, you may receive a provincial nomination.
For an Express Entry-linked nomination, the nomination is connected to your Express Entry profile.
Once the nomination is accepted and reflected in your profile, the nomination can provide 600 additional CRS points.
At this point, your CRS ranking may increase dramatically.
Step 6: Wait for an Invitation to Apply
After receiving the additional CRS points, you remain in the Express Entry system until an applicable invitation round takes place.
IRCC conducts different types of Express Entry invitation rounds, including general, program-specific, and category-based rounds. Candidates with provincial or territorial nominations can be invited through general or Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.
The important distinction is:
Provincial nomination is not the same as an ITA.
The province nominates you.
IRCC issues the Invitation to Apply.
These are two different stages.
Step 7: Submit Your Permanent Residence Application
Once you receive an ITA, you can submit your permanent residence application through Express Entry.
According to IRCC, invited candidates generally have 60 calendar days to submit their permanent residence application.
This is a very important deadline.
Do not wait until the last few days to gather documents if you can prepare them earlier.
Your application may require documents relating to areas such as:
- Identity
- Education
- Language testing
- Work experience
- Police certificates
- Medical examination
- Proof of funds, where applicable
- Family members
- Other information requested by IRCC
The exact document requirements depend on your situation and the program under which you are applying.
What Happens If Your CRS Score Was Too Low Before the Nomination?
This is where the PNP can be particularly valuable.
Suppose you have a CRS score of 430.
You may be concerned that your score is not competitive enough for a particular Express Entry invitation round.
If you qualify for an Express Entry-linked provincial stream and receive a nomination, the additional 600 CRS points could take your score to:
430 + 600 = 1,030 CRS points
That can dramatically change your position in the Express Entry pool.
However, invitation rounds have their own rules, and IRCC does not promise that every candidate will receive an ITA simply because they have additional points.
This is why it is better to think of a provincial nomination as a major boost to your Express Entry ranking, rather than treating it as an automatic permanent residence approval.
Does a Provincial Nomination Guarantee Permanent Residence?
No.
A provincial nomination is an important step, but it does not mean that your permanent residence application is automatically approved.
After receiving an ITA, you must submit your application and meet the applicable federal requirements.
IRCC will assess your application, including whether you meet the requirements of the immigration program and whether you are admissible to Canada.
There is also an important reason to keep your information accurate.
If something changes after you receive an ITA, your CRS score or eligibility could change. IRCC specifically advises applicants to recalculate their score if their personal circumstances change.
What If You Lose Your Provincial Nomination?
A nomination is not something you should treat as permanent regardless of what happens to your circumstances.
IRCC’s current Express Entry instructions state that if a provincial nomination is revoked or declined, the candidate is no longer entitled to the 600 points associated with that nomination.
This means you should keep your provincial information accurate and comply with the conditions associated with your nomination.
You should also be careful when changing jobs, moving, updating your family information, or making other significant changes.
If you are unsure whether a change could affect your nomination or permanent residence application, check with the province and IRCC before taking action.
Provincial Nomination vs Express Entry: What Is the Difference?
It is easy to confuse the two systems.
Express Entry is a federal system used to manage applications for certain economic immigration programs.
Provincial nomination is a provincial or territorial selection process.
Think of it this way:
Express Entry = federal immigration pool and ranking system
PNP = province or territory selects candidates it wants to nominate
ITA = IRCC invites an Express Entry candidate to submit a permanent residence application
The systems work together, but they are not the same thing.
Can You Apply for More Than One PNP?
Potentially, but you need to understand the rules of each program before submitting applications.
Different provinces have different eligibility requirements, application procedures, and conditions.
You should never provide false information or claim an intention to settle in a province if that is not genuine.
Provincial immigration programs are designed around the economic and demographic needs of individual provinces and territories.
The best strategy is not simply to apply everywhere. Instead, identify the programs for which you genuinely qualify and carefully follow their requirements.
Does a Job Offer Still Give Express Entry CRS Points?
This is an important recent change for anyone researching the Express Entry CRS score.
As of March 25, 2025, IRCC removed CRS points for job offers. The previous 50- or 200-point job-offer bonuses are no longer part of the CRS calculation.
However, a job offer can still matter for certain immigration program or provincial eligibility requirements.
In other words, the removal of CRS job-offer points does not mean that employment information is irrelevant to every Canadian immigration program.
This is another reason to check the current rules instead of relying on older Express Entry articles or videos.
What Should You Do After Receiving a Provincial Nomination?
Once you receive a nomination, take the process seriously.
First, check your Express Entry account and make sure the nomination has been correctly reflected.
Next, review your CRS score and personal information.
You should also make sure that your supporting documents are current and that you understand the requirements for the permanent residence application.
If you later receive an ITA, remember the 60-calendar-day application deadline.
Avoid making assumptions based on someone else’s immigration case. Two applicants can have similar CRS scores but different eligibility, documentation, work histories, family circumstances, or provincial requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Assuming an Express Entry profile is a PNP application
Creating an Express Entry profile does not automatically apply you to every provincial program.
You must follow the process required by the province or stream.
2. Confusing nomination with an ITA
A nomination can add 600 CRS points, but the ITA is issued through an Express Entry invitation round.
3. Using outdated CRS information
Canadian immigration rules change.
For example, job-offer CRS points were removed in 2025. Always verify information against current official sources.
4. Ignoring provincial requirements
A candidate can be eligible for Express Entry but not eligible for a particular PNP stream.
Always check the province’s current criteria.
5. Waiting until the last minute after an ITA
An ITA comes with a limited application period. IRCC currently states that invited candidates have 60 calendar days to submit their application.
Frequently Asked Questions About PNP After Express Entry
How many CRS points do you get for a provincial nomination?
An Express Entry-linked provincial or territorial nomination provides 600 additional CRS points.
Can I get a PNP nomination if I am already in the Express Entry pool?
Yes, depending on the provincial stream and your eligibility. Some PNP streams are linked to Express Entry and may select candidates from the Express Entry pool.
Does PNP guarantee an ITA?
A nomination provides 600 additional CRS points and can substantially improve your chances of receiving an ITA, but candidates must still meet the requirements of the applicable Express Entry process and invitation round.
How long after PNP nomination do you get an ITA?
There is no universal guaranteed waiting period. It depends on when your nomination is reflected in your Express Entry profile and the applicable IRCC invitation rounds.
What happens after PNP nomination?
For an Express Entry-linked nomination, the nomination can add 600 CRS points to your profile. If you receive an ITA, you can submit your permanent residence application within the applicable deadline.
Can my PNP nomination be cancelled?
A province or territory may revoke a nomination in certain circumstances. If a nomination is revoked, IRCC’s Express Entry instructions state that the candidate loses the associated 600 CRS points.