What are Express Entry and the PNP?

Express Entry manages applications for Canada's main federal economic immigration programs — including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates create a profile, get scored under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and enter a pool from which IRCC issues Invitations to Apply in periodic rounds. Provincial Nominee Programs let individual provinces nominate candidates who meet their specific labour-market or economic needs; a provincial nomination adds significant weight to a candidate's Express Entry profile, or can lead to permanent residence through a non-Express-Entry provincial stream. Our primary provincial focus is Alberta, though we can advise on other provincial programs as well.

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Regional and community pilots

Beyond Express Entry and the PNPs, a handful of smaller federal programs target specific regions and communities: the Atlantic Immigration Program, for employer-supported candidates settling in Atlantic Canada; the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, for candidates with a qualifying job offer in a participating rural community; and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, for French-speaking candidates settling in a participating Francophone minority community outside Quebec. These pilots can be a strong fit for candidates who aren't yet competitive under Express Entry on its own, or who have a specific tie to one of the participating regions or communities.

Key benefits

  • Express Entry can be one of the faster federal routes to permanent residence for candidates with a strong CRS score.
  • A provincial nomination can meaningfully improve a candidate's standing, or open a route for those who wouldn't otherwise be competitive federally.
  • Regional and community pilots can open a path for candidates tied to a specific employer, region, or Francophone community.
  • All of these categories accommodate a wide range of occupations and backgrounds, from tech to skilled trades.

Common challenges

  • Optimizing a CRS score correctly — language test scores, education credential assessments, and work experience all need to be documented precisely.
  • Matching to the right provincial stream, since PNP criteria vary significantly by province and change over time.
  • Timing an application around a job offer, a nomination window, or a specific in-demand occupation list.

Process and timeline

For Express Entry, we assess federal eligibility, build the profile, and optimize the CRS score before you enter the pool; once an Invitation to Apply is issued, we prepare and submit the full permanent residence application. For PNP routes, we assess fit against the relevant provincial stream, prepare the nomination application, and coordinate documentation and monitoring of application windows, which can open and close with limited notice.

Fees
Service
Flat Attorney Fee (CAD)
Notes
Service
Provincial Nominee Program (OINP, Alberta & others)
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
From $2,500
Notes
Pre-nomination scope; corporate rates available for employer-driven files
Service
Express Entry profile & CRS optimization
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
From $1,500
Notes
Service
Express Entry full package (profile through e-APR)
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
From $4,000
Notes
Service
Permanent residence application
Flat Attorney Fee (USD)
From $2,500
Notes
+ $1,500 per dependent

Work with an attorney who handles your case

Many L-1 visa holders ultimately seek permanent residency in the United States, particularly for L-1A executives and managers via the EB-1C category. Please engage an attorney to discuss your unique pathway.

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