In addition to express entry programs, the provincial governments also select qualified candidates from the express entry pool through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) to meet their local labour market shortages
The highest ranked candidates are then invited to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The points cut-off is decided by a CRS draw conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) almost every fortnight. An express entry candidate can stay in the pool for 12 months, if they are not issued an ITA within 12 months, they will be required to create a new profile and enter the pool again.
Once an ITA is issued, you have 90 days to submit your complete application for permanent residency which includes uploading of all supporting documents. An average of 80 per cent of applications are processed by IRCC within six months or less.