One of the ways to migrate to Canada is through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). As you probably know, some provinces have their PNPs. In this article, we will share what you need to know about Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Ontario boasts Canada’s largest population as well as its largest city. So, many newcomers chose to settle in Ontario due to its strong economy, well-developed support systems, and already-established immigrant communities.
What is a Provincial Nomination?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is designed to help provinces attract immigrants who can support local labour force needs.
If a candidate meets pathway specific criteria and is nominated by a province, they can add this to their permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
About Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s economic immigration program. It works in partnership with the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Foreign workers, international students and others with the right skills, experience and education apply to the OINP for a nomination.
The OINP recognizes and nominates people for permanent residence who have the skills and experience the Ontario economy needs, and the Government of Canada makes the final decision to approve applications for permanent residence.
Why does Ontario need a Provincial Nominee Program?
Ontario introduced its PNP in 2007. The introduction of the system created more opportunities for newcomers to Canada to economically establish themselves within the province and gave Ontario the ability to select individuals who would be a good fit and fill gaps in the workforce. Each Canadian province and territory (except for Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs.
What categories does Ontario offer?
Ontario has several streams of provincial nomination and within each category there are sub-streams.
Do you have the skills and experience that Ontario employers need?
The following streams operate through the federal government’s Express Entry System. To qualify, you must have an Express Entry profile and receive a notification of interest from Ontario.
Human Capital Priority Steams
Human Capital Priority Streams operate in alignment with the Express Entry application system.
Those who are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), are also eligible for provincial nomination in Ontario through the same streams at a provincial level if they demonstrate an intention to settle within that province.
French Speaking Skilled Worker Class
If you are highly skilled in both official languages, Ontario offers the French Speaking Skilled Worker Class. This is identical to FSWP in terms of work experience, education, and proof of funds. Also, candidates must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in French and a 6 in English.
Skilled Trades Stream
If you are eligible for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), you are eligible for provincial nomination through the Skilled Trades stream. To be eligible for this stream, you must have a minimum of one year’s work experience within your trade, and it must fall into National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes Minor Group 633 or Major Groups 72, 73 or 82.
Have a job offer in Ontario?
If you are not eligible for Express Entry, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province for nomination in other categories. An EOI tells the government of Ontario that you wish to be invited to apply.
To submit an EOI, you must complete an attestation form that states you meet the criteria for your chosen program and everything in your EOI is true. After submitting your EOI, you then need to wait for the province to invite you to apply for nomination.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
If you a foreign worker who is currently abroad and have a job offer from an Ontario employer, this pathway is for you.
The job must fall under NOC codes 0, A or B and you must be able to demonstrate an appropriate license (where needed) or show that you have at least two years’ work experience in the same occupation.
Employer Job Offer: International Graduates
If you are a candidate graduating from colleges or universities in foreign countries and have a job offer from an employer in Ontario, this stream is for you.
Please note that the job must fall under NOCs 0, A or B. Below are the educational requirements for this stream:
- a degree or diploma that takes at least two years to complete if you study on a full-time basis, or
- a degree, diploma or certificate that takes at least one year to complete if you study on a full-time basis and that requires a completed degree as an admission requirement
Employer Job Offer: In-demand occupations
Skilled workers either in Canada or abroad with experience that falls under NOC C or D can apply for nomination under the in-demand occupations stream. Please note that you need to show that you have sufficient experience in occupations that urgently need more workers in Ontario. The occupations differ slightly depending on if the offer of employment is inside or outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The following occupations are applicable anywhere in Ontario including the GTA:
- NOC 3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
- NOC 7441 – residential and commercial installers and servicers
- NOC 7511 – transport truck drivers
- NOC 7521 – heavy equipment operators (except crane)
- NOC 7611 – construction trades helpers and labourers
- NOC 8431 – general farm workers
- NOC 8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers
- NOC 8611 – harvesting labourers
- NOC 9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
These occupations are only applicable to candidates with job offers outside of the GTA
- NOC 9411 – machine operators, mineral and metal processing
- NOC 9416 – metalworking and forging machine operators
- NOC 9417 – machining tool operators
- NOC 9418 – other metal products machine operators
- NOC 9421 – chemical plant machine operators
- NOC 9422 – plastics processing machine operators
- NOC 9437 – woodworking machine operators
- NOC 9446 – industrial sewing machine operators
- NOC 9461 – process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing
- NOC 9523 – electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
- NOC 9526 – mechanical assemblers and inspectors
- NOC 9536 – industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
- NOC 9537 – other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
Have a Masters or PhD degree from an Ontario university?
The following streams operate through the OINP’s Expression of Interest System. To qualify, you must register an expression of interest and receive an invitation to apply.
The Masters and PhD programs are designed specifically for master’s students and PhD students who graduate from Ontario universities and plan to stay in the province. The Masters Graduate Stream requires at least one year of study at an eligible Ontario university and graduation from the program. PhD students must complete at least two years of their PhD in Ontario. For both streams, candidates must have lived in Ontario for at least one year over the past two years.
Entrepreneur Category
If you are a foreign entrepreneur with a great business idea, you can apply to the Entrepreneur stream as your opportunity to come to Ontario to establish a new business or buy and grow an existing business in the province. This stream operates through an Expression of Interest system. To qualify, you must register an expression of interest and receive an invitation to apply.
If you are successful in your application, you will receive a temporary work permit to move to Canada.
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