Ontario Indicates Interest in 1000 Express Entry Candidates

On 15^th August 2019, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued Notifications of Interest to 997 candidates under the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream. Express Entry profiles submitted between 15^th August 2018 and 15^th August 2019 – that were awarded scores ranging from 439 to 465 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System – were selected in this draw.

Thus, applicants who scored as low as 439 points could be nominated for permanent residence through Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. In contrast, a candidate under the federal Express Entry Program has to meet a higher minimum point threshold (466 points in the latest round of invitations).

The HCP stream selects eligible foreign skilled workers from the federal Express Entry pool, and nominates them to permanently live and work in Ontario. Only those who have the required work experience, language proficiency and academic credentials to fulfill Ontario’s workforce requirements are selected. The OINP 2019 has issued NOIs to 6,958 candidates under the HCP stream so far this year.

The latest draw was targeted to invited candidates who are qualified to practice the following ‘priority occupations’ i.e. skills shortages in Ontario’s labor market that must be filled by foreign workers:

• Corporate Sales Managers
• Managers in Customer and Personal Services
• Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Managers
• Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
• Other Administrative Services Managers
• Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
• Professional Occupations in Business Management Consulting
• Financial Managers
• Financial Auditors and Accountants
• Other Financial Officers

In order to qualify for the HCP stream, candidates must meet certain OINP requirements:

• Have a valid profile in the federal Express Entry System, submitted under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Those who have applied under the FSWP must also score at least 67 points based on various selection factors.
• Have at least one year of cumulative paid full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience – within the preceding three years (for those applying through CEC) or the preceding five years (for those applying through FSWP). Work experience should be in the same skilled occupation mentioned as the ‘primary occupation’ in the Express Entry profile. This occupation must be listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B in the National Occupational Classification.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher credential from a Canadian educational institution, or an equivalent qualification from another country.
• Score CLB/NCLC level 7 or higher in an approved French or English language proficiency examination.
• Showcase proof of adequate settlement funds.
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to live in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident.
• Those who are applying from within Canada must have legal status – validated by a document such as a study permit, visitor card, or work permit – at the time of applying, and until the time of nomination.

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Within 45 days of receiving the NOI, an online application for nomination and a processing fee of $1,500 must be submitted to the OINP e-filing portal. If nominated, the candidate can proceed to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.