Canada PNPs That Invite Express Entry Profiles With Low CRS Score

One of the ways to obtain permanent residency in Canada is through the provincial nominee programs (PNPs). These programs can also help those looking for permanent residency options from inside or outside Canada. Canada has numerous provincial nominee programs available, each with different eligibility criteria.

While most of the PNPs require applicants to create an expression of interest (EOI) with PNP, but there are certain PNPs that scan active Express Entry profiles (inside or outside Canada profiles) and invite them directly.

Provinces use their provincial nominee programs to fill labour market vacancies specific to the province. It is also why most PNPs seek applicants with in-demand job skills and experience. This article enlists provincial nominee programs that invite applicants directly from the Express Entry pool with low CRS score.

Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream

Ontario is Canada’s most popular immigration destination, and many newcomers are attracted to the vibrant city of Toronto and its expanding tech jobs market. The province also has the largest quota for welcoming immigrants through its PNP programs. 

Last year in 2021, Ontario nominated 3,513 candidates under the Human Capital Priorities stream. This year (2022), Human Capital Priorities stream has already invited 3,076 Express Entry Profiles. Lowest invited CRS cut off score of invited profiles was 455.

Even though Ontario has one of the largest quotas of any province, Ontario wants to bring in even more immigrants. To address the labour shortage in the province, Ontario’s Labour Minister Monte McNaughton recently asked for a doubling of the number of immigrants permitted under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) from 9,000 to 18,000 immigrants.

The Ontario Human Capital Priorities stream is an excellent choice for people who reside outside of Canada. This stream prioritizes qualified candidates who can fill skilled job positions in the province.

Ontario PNP Human Capital Priorities stream uses the federal Express Entry system. Candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and a CRS score of 400 or higher. Then, Ontario reviews all Express Entry profiles and invites specific profiles to apply to the PNP, generally based on a group of NOC codes and a specific CRS range.

This stream targets Express Entry profiles with tech occupations and priority occupations.

---

• You may also like:
• PR For NOC C or D In Ontario – Eligibility & How To Apply!
• 16 NOC C Occupations To Become Eligible For Express Entry!
• PR For NOC C or D In B.C. – Eligibility & How To Apply!
• PR For NOC C or D In Alberta – Eligibility & How to Apply!

---

Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Workers stream

Another option is through Ontario’s PNP French-Speaking Skilled Workers stream. Again, interested candidates should have a valid Express Entry profile. This program is great for applicants with intermediate to advanced french proficiency. 

In 2022, French-Speaking Skilled Workers stream invited 1,379 Express Entry Profiles. Lowest CRS score invited in 2022 was 326 in September 2022.

Since Ontario has large immigration quotas and frequently organizes draws, it is one of the simpler provinces in Canada for qualified applicants to obtain permanent residency.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

On Canada’s east coast, by the Atlantic Ocean, is the province of Nova Scotia. Many would-be immigrants find the province their ideal choice because of its proximity to the ocean, affordable cost of living, and relaxed way of life.

Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities stream also chooses candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. This PNP is considered one of the simplest for international applicants to receive PR because it frequently invites profiles without a link to the province.

However, before the draws, Nova Scotia doesn’t disclose its selection criteria, although it frequently extends an invitation to applicants who have no ties to the province. Interested candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and should indicate their interest in the province of Nova Scotia. 

Candidates who Nova Scotia invites may secure their chance to obtain a provincial nomination. Successful candidates gain an additional 600 points toward their CRS score because the stream also uses Express Entry. With these extra points, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a federal Express Entry draw is almost guaranteed.

Alberta’s Express Entry Stream

Some of Canada’s most economically advanced cities, like Calgary and Edmonton, are found in the western province of Alberta. As a result, Alberta is a prominent province for potential immigrants, with a growing job economy and excellent educational institutions.

Candidates are chosen from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for provincial nomination through the Alberta Express Entry stream. One significant advantage of this stream is that they may accept Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300, which means that more candidates in the pool will be eligible for a Notification of Interest from the province.

It is important to note that an invitation from Alberta’s Express Entry stream require a CRS score of 300 or above. The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program does not disclose the extra targeted criteria; however, it does disclose the CRS score of the lowest-ranking applicant from each round of invites.

Therefore, the following factors could improve a candidate’s chances, but are not mandatory:

• Holding prior work experience in Alberta 
• Getting a valid job offer from an Alberta employer 
• Having family or relatives in the province who are permanent residents or Canadian citizens 
• Completing an education credential from a Canadian post-secondary institution 

The federal Express Entry program is the foundation for Alberta’s Express Entry stream. Therefore, a candidate’s CRS score will rise by 600 points due to receiving a provincial nomination, effectively ensuring they will be offered a PR Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker

The province of Saskatchewan, situated in Canada’s prairies, has grown in popularity as an immigrant destination due to its strong economic growth and employment prospects. This province requires creation of Expression of Interest (EOI) and you can apply for SINP even without Express Entry profile.

We included this option as it is one of the most attractive PNP often inviting qualifying applicants with low scores.

Under Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker PNP are the Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry streams. These streams intend to attract candidates with experience in the in-demand occupations in the province. Moreover, the International Skilled Worker streams use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to hand pick candidates. 

To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), candidates must have a minimum of one year of experience in a field that isn’t on the SINP’s Excluded Occupations List. In addition, candidates must have completed post-secondary education for at least one year and have the ability to speak English or French. 

Anyone who meets Saskatchewan’s minimal eligibility requirements, including earning at least 60 points on their Points Assessment Grid, is eligible to submit an EOI profile. After submission, the SINP EOI draws will invite candidates with the most competitive SINP scores and those in in-demand occupations. 

Moreover, candidates who qualify for Express Entry can apply to the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream to have their application for permanent residency processed more quickly. However, people who cannot submit an Express Entry profile can still apply through the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand stream.

---