You do not require a job offer for Express Entry. The vast majority of candidates selected for Express Entry do not have a formal Canadian job offer.
A formal Canadian job offer for a skilled, full-time position can add 50 to 200 points to your Express Entry application. Almost always, a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for these points to be awarded.
An informal job offer will not award any additional points to your Express Entry profile and should not be mentioned in the application.
How long does Express Entry take?
Express Entry can take as little as six months to process, from submission of the Express Entry profile to the issuance of a permanent resident visa. However, not all cases will proceed this quickly. Your Express Entry profile will remain active in the pool of candidates for 12 months if you are not invited to apply. If after 12 months you have not been selected, you are welcome to resubmit your profile and remain in the pool. To break it down further:
- Your profile will remain valid for 12 months in the Express Entry pool
- Upon issuance of the ITA, you will have 60 days to provide the requested full application of documents
- Once the immigration authorities have received your complete application, your permanent resident visa should be processed in six months or less.
What’s better: PNP or Express Entry?
The other thing to consider is that the majority of PNP programs require an applicant to have a specific connection to the region. If you are working or studying in a Canadian province, considering a PNP program is advisable. If you do not have any specific connections to a place in Canada, the more general Express Entry pathway to Canadian permanent residence is probably your best option.
The best way to determine whether a PNP or Express Entry is better for you is to complete our free online immigration assessment.
Can I apply for Express Entry and PNP at the same time?
There are two different types of Provincial Nominee Programs: ‘Base’ and ‘Enhanced’. Base PNPs operate outside of the Express Entry system and are subject to the standard PNP processing time. Enhanced PNPs require an Express Entry profile.
Candidates who receive a nomination under an Express Entry-aligned, or Enhanced, PNP will receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the subsequent draw in the Express Entry pool. The processing time for an Express Entry application is approximately 6-months, typically much faster than Base PNP applications.
What is the maximum age for Express Entry?
There is no maximum age for Express Entry applicants. Applicants 20-29 receive the highest points for age. If you are significantly older than 35, but you have a high level of education or connections in Canada, these can easily overcome points lost for age.
Can I apply to Express Entry twice?
No, you cannot have two Express Entry applications for the same applicant at the same time. However, if you are married, you can submit an application under your spouse if they are eligible. Therefore, one applicant cannot have multiple Express Entry profiles but you can have two profiles for the same family, in some circumstances.
If after 12 months you are not invited to apply, you can resubmit your profile and stay in the Express Entry pool for an additional 12 months. This can be repeated as many times as necessary.
