Is 67 Points Required for PNP?
Is 67 Points Required for Canada?
If you’re exploring Canadian
immigration options, you’ve probably come across the 67-point requirement
and wondered:
Is 67 points required for PNP, or is it only for Express Entry?
The short answer is yes, 67
points often matter—but not in the way most people think.
Scoring 67 points does not guarantee permanent residence, and it is not
a universal requirement for every PNP. Instead, it acts as a gateway
eligibility benchmark, mainly connected to the Federal Skilled Worker
Program (FSWP) under Express Entry.
In this blog, we’ll clearly explain:
- What the 67-point system actually means
- How it relates to Express Entry and PNP
- Why 67 points are not enough on their own
- When PNPs require it—and when they don’t
Key Takeaways (Quick Answer)
- 67 points is the minimum requirement for the Federal
Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Scoring 67 points allows you to enter the Express
Entry pool, not get PR
- CRS score (often 460+) determines whether you receive an invitation
- Many PNP streams use the 67-point grid as a base,
but add their own criteria
- A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, almost
guaranteeing an ITA
What Is the 67-Point System?
The 67-point system is an eligibility
grid, not a ranking system.
It is used only to determine whether you qualify for the Federal
Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)—one of the main programs under Express Entry.
You are scored out of 100 points
based on six factors:
- Age
- Education
- Language ability (IELTS or CELPIP)
- Work experience
- Arranged employment
- Adaptability
To qualify under FSWP, you must
score at least 67 points.
Important:
This score does not compete with other applicants.
It simply answers one question: Are you eligible to enter Express Entry
through FSWP?
Is 67 Points Required for Express Entry?
Yes—but only for FSWP eligibility.
If you score 67 points or more,
you can:
- Create an Express Entry profile
- Enter the Express Entry pool
- Become visible to provinces for PNP selection
If you score below 67, you:
- Cannot qualify under FSWP
- Cannot enter Express Entry through this stream
- May still qualify through non-Express Entry PNPs
This is why the 67-point rule is
often misunderstood—it is the first hurdle, not the finish line.
Why 67 Points Do NOT Guarantee PR?
This is where many applicants get
confused.
The 67-point system is
completely separate from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Here’s
the difference:
- 67 Points
→ Eligibility to enter Express Entry (FSWP)
- CRS Score
→ Ranking inside the Express Entry pool
Once inside the pool, applicants are
ranked using CRS, where scores are often:
- 460+
- Sometimes 500+, depending on draws
So even if you score 67, 70, or
75 points, you may never receive an invitation without a competitive
CRS score.
How CRS Score Fits Into the Picture?
The CRS system awards points
based on:
- Age
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Canadian work experience
- Additional factors like job offers or nominations
Most Express Entry draws invite
candidates with much higher CRS scores than 67.
That’s why many eligible applicants remain in the pool for months—or even
years—without an invitation.
This is exactly where PNP becomes
important.
Is 67 Points Required for PNP?
The Short Answer: Often yes—but not always
Many Provincial Nominee Programs
(PNPs) use the 67-point FSWP grid as a baseline requirement,
especially for Express Entry–aligned PNPs.
How It Works in Practice:
- Many provinces require you to first qualify under
FSWP
- That means meeting the 67-point minimum
- Only then can they assess you for provincial nomination
Examples include several streams in:
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
However, provinces also have their
own scoring systems, priorities, and criteria.
PNP Is a Gateway, Not a Guarantee
Even if a PNP uses the 67-point
threshold:
- Meeting it does not guarantee nomination
- Provinces still assess:
- Occupation demand
- Job offers
- Provincial ties
- Local labor market needs
Think of 67 points as:
Permission to enter the system—not
permission to stay.
How PNP Helps After 67 Points?
This is where things change
dramatically.
PNP Nomination Advantage
If a province nominates you:
- You receive 600 additional CRS points
- Your CRS score jumps instantly
- You become almost guaranteed to receive an
Invitation to Apply (ITA)
This is why many applicants with low
CRS scores rely on PNPs—it transforms eligibility into real opportunity.
Express Entry vs PNP: Where 67 Points Fit
|
Factor
|
Express
Entry (FSWP)
|
Provincial
Nominee Program
|
|
67 Points Required
|
Yes (for eligibility)
|
Often used as base
|
|
CRS Score Needed
|
High (460+)
|
Boosted via nomination
|
|
Purpose
|
Enter EE pool
|
Target regional needs
|
|
Guarantee PR
|
No
|
No (but boosts CRS)
|
People Also Ask: Common Questions Answered
How
much score is required for PNP?
There is no single score for
all PNPs. Many require 67 points for FSWP eligibility, but provinces
apply additional criteria based on their needs.
How to get 67 points for Canada PR?
You earn points through:
- Strong language test results
- Higher education
- Relevant work experience
- Age advantage
- Adaptability factors
How many points do I need to get PR in Canada?
You need:
- 67 points
to be eligible under FSWP
- A high CRS score (often 460+) to receive an ITA
- Or a PNP nomination to boost CRS
Is 70 points good for Canada PR?
Scoring 70 points is good for eligibility,
but it does not guarantee PR. CRS
score and/or PNP nomination still matter.
Common Misunderstanding About the 67-Point Rule
One of the biggest misconceptions is
thinking:
“If I score 67 points, I will get
PR.”
In reality:
- 67 points = eligibility
- CRS score = competition
- PNP nomination = advantage
Understanding this difference saves
applicants time, money, and frustration.
Final Verdict: Is 67 Points Required for PNP?
Yes, 67 points is often required—but
only as a starting point.
It allows you to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and enter the
Express Entry system. Many PNPs use this benchmark, but each province
applies its own rules and priorities.
Scoring 67 points opens the door,
but:
- CRS score determines invitations
- PNP nomination determines success for many applicants
In short: 67 points gets you in. PNP helps
you move forward.