Last Updated on November 10, 2020

Ontario immigration says it has met its intake limit for the Regional Immigration Pilot, a new stream opened for the first time in 2020.

In an announcement, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program said further intake forms received this year would be placed on a waiting list.

Candidates will be contacted if a spot comes up in 2020, otherwise applications for the pilot would resume in 2021, the province said.

“Any individuals remaining on the waitlist for 2020 will be included in the Regional Immigration Pilot intake for 2021,” the OINP statement said.

The pilot, which falls under the Employer Job Offer category, is designed to use the OINP to bring skilled labour not available locally to smaller Ontario communities.

To qualify candidates must have a permanent job offer from one of the three participating communities:

• Chatham-Kent.
• Cornwall.
• Quinte West/Belleville.

Candidates must also meet the criteria for one of the Ontario Employer Job Offer streams, namely:

• Foreign Worker.
• International Student.
• In-Demand Skills.

The pilot was initially launched in December 2019 following a consultation period with a number of stakeholders in smaller Ontario communities. It has an allocation of approximately 150 nominations.

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Ontario Launches New OINP Regional Immigration Pilot
Ontario Planning New OINP Regional Immigration Pilot

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OINP Regional Immigration Pilot

Participating Communities

• Chatham-Kent.
• Cornwall.
• Quinte West/Belleville.

Candidate Requirements

• Full-time and permanent job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities.
• Meet the criteria for one of the Employer Job Offer category streams (see below).

Number of Nominations

Approximately 150 Employer Job Offer nominations have been set aside for the pilot.

Employer Job Offer Category Eligibility Requirements

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.

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.

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.
• 9 months 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.
• Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
• Intention to settle in Ontario.