Canada’s immigration landscape offers multiple avenues to pursue permanent residence (PR), and many of these are based on Expression of Interest (EOI) systems. According to Maple News, strategically entering more than one EOI system is a smart move for candidates looking to improve their odds of success.
EOI systems allow prospective immigrants to signal their intention to apply for PR by submitting a profile to a pool of candidates. Once in the pool, applicants are evaluated and ranked based on various criteria such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Eligible candidates are then invited to submit a formal application.
Canada’s three major federal economic immigration pathways that use an EOI model include the Express Entry system, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
The Express Entry system is the largest and most well-known of these. It manages applications for three sub-programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). While candidates can only maintain one active Express Entry profile, they can qualify for more than one sub-program within it at the same time. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, prioritizing CEC, FSWP, then FSTP in that order.
Notably, candidates are allowed to maintain active EOIs under both Express Entry and other PR pathways simultaneously. For example, while having a live Express Entry profile, one can also submit an EOI under a PNP or Quebec’s Skilled Worker Program. This multi-stream approach allows for greater flexibility and increases the chance of receiving an invitation from at least one program.
Once a candidate receives an ITA from any pathway, they are eligible to submit a complete PR application to IRCC. If the PR application under one stream is unsuccessful or delayed, having other EOIs active ensures that candidates remain in the running elsewhere.
Maple News recommends that applicants keep their profiles up to date and understand the specific eligibility requirements of each program, as different provinces and territories have unique nomination criteria under the PNP streams.
In a competitive immigration environment, casting a wider net by entering multiple EOI systems can significantly strengthen a candidate’s pathway to permanent residence in Canada.