Ontario manages a Human Capital category to target foreign workers and international students who possess the education, work experience and skills required to successfully establish themselves in the province of Ontario.

Under this category, OINP operates three Express Entry-related streams: the French-speaking skilled workers, the Human Capital Priorities and the Skilled Trades.

All three streams are passive, meaning that Interested candidates do not apply directly to OINP for nomination but rather they must wait for the province to select them from the federal Express Entry pool and invite them to apply for nomination.

In order to be considered under any of these streams, interested candidates must first be qualified under one of the federal programs, either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Eligibility requirements

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

The OINP issues periodic Notifications of Interest (NOI) throughout the year.

This stream is designed for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Ontario, and who have proven skills and abilities to successfully establish themselves in the province.

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

• Ongoing profile under the Federal Express Entry system and be qualified for either the FSWP or the CEC.
• Hold minimum of 1-year of full time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation level 0, A or B, in the past five years if applying under the FSWP or in the past three years if applying under CEC.
• Hold the equivalent of a Canadian Bachelors degree or higher.
• Show language proficiency of minimum CLB/NCLC level 7 in English or in French.
• Intention to reside in the province of Ontario.
• Residing with legal status in Canada, if applicable.
• Proof of required settlement funds.
• Minimum Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score as determined by director under period draws.

Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

This stream targets French-speaking candidates who also have strong English language proficiency and who wish to live and work in the province of Ontario.

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

• Active profile under the Federal Express Entry system and be qualified for either the FSWP or the CEC.
• Hold minimum of 1-year of full time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation level 0, A or B, in the past five years if applying under the FSWP or in the past three years if applying under CEC.
• Hold the equivalent of a Canadian Bachelors degree or higher.
• Minimum language proficiency of NCLC level 7 in French and minimum CLB level 6 in English.
• Intention to reside in the Province of Ontario.
• Residing with legal status in Canada, if applicable.
• Proof of required settlement funds.

Ontario Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream

This stream targets skilled trades workers in eligible sectors, who live and work legally in Ontario at the time of their application.

To qualify applicants must have:

• Active profile under the Federal Express Entry system and be qualified for CEC.
• At least 12 months, cumulative or continuous, of full-time paid work experience in Ontario, within the last two years prior to the Notification of Interest, in NOC minor group 633, or major groups 72, 73 or 82.
• Proof of Ontario license or certification if an occupational requirement.
• A valid work permit and residing in Ontario at the time of application.
• Minimum language CLB/NCLC level 5 or above in English or in French.
• Proof of required settlement funds.

Application process

Ontario will select eligible applicants from the Express Entry Pool. Candidates must:

1. Meet the eligibility criteria for one of the streams above AND
2. Meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score, as determined by the director. 

Candidates who are selected will receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario and may then submit an application for nomination under the Ontario Immigrant Nomination Program.

The application for nomination must be submitted within 45 calendar days from the NOI. An application fee of $1500 is due at this time.

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a nomination certificate and 600 points under their Express Entry profile. 

On the following Express Entry draw, they will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The ITA must be submitted within 60 days from receipt.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us  to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

The Ontario Employer Job Offer category replaces the previous Employer Pre-Screened category with the key difference being that the candidate, not the employer, leads the application process.

Interested individuals may apply under this category only if they have the support of an Ontario employer who has extended to them a full-time indeterminate job offer, under three streams: foreign workers, international students and In-demand skills.

Eligibility Requirements

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

• A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets the median wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
  • For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid
• Two cumulative years of relevant work experience in the previous five years before the date of application;
• Relevant mandatory licensing in Ontario, if the position so requires;
• Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
• Intention to settle in Ontario.

Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

• A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets low wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
  • For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid
• Either
  • Graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum two-year degree from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university; OR
  • Graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum one-year post-graduate diploma program from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university.
• Completed at least half the studies in Canada;
• Apply within two years from the date you completed the above course
• Legal status in Ontario
• Intention to settle in Ontario.

Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

This stream targets candidates with specific skilled in-demand in Ontario. To qualify, applicants must have:

• A permanent and full-time job offer under certain occupations in the agriculture or construction sector and meets the median wage in Ontario for the occupation (see table below), and in a position that is necessary to the business. 
  • For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid.
• One year of cumulative work experience in the last three years in one of the eligible occupations. Experience must be paid and full time, or the equivalent amount in part time work in Ontario. 
  • Seasonal work does not count.
• Equivalent of Canadian high school education or higher.
• Valid certificate or license at the time of application for any claimed work experience that requires it.
• Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French in all language competencies.
• Sufficient funds and/or income in Ontario to cover settlement costs for you and your family members.
• Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
• Intention to settle in Ontario.

Under the three streams above, the business must also meet several requirements:

• An active business for the past three years;
• Business premises in Ontario;
• In compliance with all the employment, health and safety legislation;
• If located in Greater Toronto Area (GTA): minimum of $1,000,000 in gross annual revenue and five full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
• If located outside GTA: minimum of $500,000 in gross annual revenue and three full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• For the Foreign Worker Stream only: Demonstrate recruitment efforts if the applicant is living outside Canada or is working in Canada but outside Ontario
  • If the applicant is currently working in Ontario, this requirement is waived

Eligible occupations for the In-demand Skills stream

Application Process

Interested candidates who meet the requirements must complete an online application and submit all relevant forms and supporting documentation. 

An application fee of $2000 (if the job offered is located in the GTA) or of $1500 (if the job offered is located outside the GTA) is due at this moment.

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a Letter of Nomination and must apply for permanent residence with IRCC within the following six months.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us  to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.