Ontario Immigration – Ontario Provincial Nominee Program

Ontario is the most populous province in Canada. According to reports, approximately 40 per cent of Canadians reside in Ontario. Ontario is also the economic, social, and political centre of Canada, and is the most popular destination for many new immigrants from around the world.

Ontario has a diverse population with multilingual and multicultural backgrounds. People living in Canada are from 200 different countries and speak about 125 other languages. One can easily immigrate to Ontario through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry system.

Ontario Express Entry

The expedited Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) is designed for skilled foreign professionals interested in immigrating to Ontario and applying for permanent residence. The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program can nominate a candidate in two ways. The candidate can contact Immigration Ontario and apply directly for the OINP. If Immigration Ontario nominates the candidate, they can then create a profile in Express Entry and add their Ontario nomination credentials, which are worth 600 points.

In any case, individuals interested in Ontario immigration can create an Express Entry profile and express their interest in the province. The Ontario Provincial Nomination Program will review the candidate’s profile and contact them via Express Entry. The Ontario PNP can then formally invite the candidate to apply for PNP, which will instantly increase their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by 600 points. Once those 600 points are awarded to the candidate, they will have enough points to be granted an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during the next Express Entry draw that takes place every fortnight.

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program speeds up your immigration process into the province for you and your family members (spouse and children). People accepted by this program are set on a fast track to immigrate to Canada Immigration as provincial nominees within the Express Entry.

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program is also recognised for its role in job creation, job retention, and economic development. The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program is employer-driven.

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Streams

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program has six different categories. The categories are as follows:

• General Category
• International Student’s Category
• Corporate Category
• Entrepreneur Category
• Human Capital Priorities
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Category

Each category of the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program has specific requirements that candidates must fulfil to qualify.

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program General Category

The Ontario Provincial Nominee’s general category is for skilled foreign workers who possess an approved skill set. The government categorises these positions under the NOC of A, B, or O.

Both the employer and the candidate will need to submit an application, which will deem them eligible for the process. If both the employer and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, the latter may then be awarded a certificate of nomination for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

The Requirement for the Applicant:

• The applicant must have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the last 5 years in their specific occupation
• Only paid work experience is deemed to be counted. Work experience can be collected abroad or within Canada..
• The candidate must have a full-time, permanent job offer in a skilled occupation that falls under the NOC level of A, O, or B from an employer in Ontario.
• The candidate must have a legal status if living in Canada. Refugees and asylum seekers are not eligible for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program.
• A joint verification form and a Pre-Screen position form are also required

Employer Requirements

• The employer must have a business actively running for three years
• The business should have gross revenue of at least $1,000,000 with at least five permanent, full-time employees
• Job location must be in the province of Ontario

Job Requirements

• Skilled occupation falling under the NOC level of A, O or B
• Full-time, permanent job
• Wage should meet the standard wage levels of Ontario
• A position should be available in the company

Internatstudents’dent’s Category

The International students’ category stream is for international students studying in Canada under study abroad programs. This category further branches into three different subcategories. These subcategories include the Job Offer Stream, the International Stream, and the Pilot International Ph.D. Stream. Graduate Stream.

International Student with a Job Offer Stream

Under the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program, international students with an approved job offer from a Canadian employer are eligible –

Requirements:

• The candidate’s half of the studies must have been completed in Canada. The candidate must already have graduated or be graduating from a publicly funded university in Canada.
• The candidate should have completed a two-year diploma or degree on a full-time basis. Otherwise, the candidate must have acquired a previous degree from Canada or abroad.
• The candidate must have acquired a permanent, full-time occupation in a skilled occupation, as listed in the NOC code of O, A, or B..
• The application should be submitted within two years of acquiring the degree or diploma.
• A joint verification form or a pre-screen position form is required from the employer.

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream allows foreign nationals to buy a business in or set up a brand new business in the province of Ontario. Once the company has been established, the entrepreneur may be contacted by Immigration Ontario to apply for Permanent Residency in Ontario.

To be eligible for the Entrepreneur stream, the candidate must meet the following criteria:

• The prospective candidate must make a minimum investment of $500,000 in the Province of Ontario. If the business is located in Greater Toronto, the minimum investment should be $1,000,000
• The minimum net worth of a prospective candidate must be $800,000 or $1,500,000 if investing in Greater Toronto
• Establishing or investing in a business in Ontario should create a minimum of two permanent, full-time jobs
• The entrepreneur must have a minimum of 3 years of experience working in senior management or business ownership experience in the last 5 years..

Human Capital Priorities Stream

The Ontario Provincial Nomination Program’s Human Capital Priorities Stream allows the province to select suitable candidates from the Express Entry system who have shown an interest in the province of Ontario.

These candidates must possess the necessary skills, work experience, language proficiency, characteristics, and educational requirements valued by the Ontario labour market.

The Ontario PNP will surf through the Express Entry system and select profiles that have shown interest in the province of Ontario and have scored a minimum CRS score of 400. Ontario PNP will then send a Notification of Interest (NOI) to all such candidates.

Candidates who receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the province of Ontario have 45 days to apply for the Ontario PNP stream.

Applicant Requirement:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree from Canada or an academic credential assessment that indicates that the education pursued meets the Canadian standard
• Language Proficiency: The candidate must secure a Canadian Language Benchmark score (CLB 7)
• Work Experience: The candidates must have a minimum of 12 months of continuous, full-time employment in a NOC level of O, A or B in the last five years
• Express Entry: Applicants must have a minimum CRS score of 400 or above and must show interest in the province of Ontario
• Intent to Live in Ontario: The candidate must show their interest in living and working in Ontario
• Proof of Funds: The candidate must provide evidence of funds that demonstrates their ability to relocate and settle in Ontario.