How does a provincial nomination affect my Express Entry score?

A provincial nomination adds a significant number of points to your CRS score — enough, in most cases, to virtually guarantee you will receive an Invitation to Apply in the next Express Entry draw. This is because the federal government awards these bonus points to acknowledge that a province has identified you as a desirable candidate for their community and labour market.

Most Express Entry-linked provincial nomination programs (sometimes called "Enhanced" or "Express Entry-aligned" streams) work in one of two ways: the province draws directly from the federal Express Entry pool to issue a Notification of Interest (NOI), or you apply to the province directly and, if nominated, you receive the CRS boost federally. Ontario's provincial immigration program, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), operates several streams that are aligned with Express Entry.

It is important to know that receiving a provincial nomination does not mean your permanent residence is guaranteed — you still need to receive a federal ITA, submit a complete application, and be approved by IRCC. The nomination significantly improves your chances but the federal process still applies. A nomination from Ontario means you are expected to settle and work in Ontario.