/ Published in Canada Immigration News Articles, Ontario-news, Provincial News Articles

Ontario Receives Increased OINP Allocation and Opens All But Two Immigration Streams


Last Updated on February 7, 2020

Ontario Receives Increased OINP Allocation and Opens All But Two Immigration StreamsJan 19, 2018 – The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has received an increased federal government allocation for 2018 of 6,600 nominations, up 600 on the number for 2017.

The province has also announced it is accepting applications for the majority of its immigration streams, including the popular Express Entry Human Capital Priorities.

Other open streams include the Employer Job Offer streams for Foreign Workers, International Students and In-Demand Skills, the Express Entry streams for French-Speaking Skilled Workers and Skilled Trades, plus the Corporate and Entrepreneur business streams.

Read More

An Overview of Ontario’s 2017 Immigration Strategy Progress Report
Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 Now in Force effective January 1, 2018
Ontario Immigration Granted Increased 2017 Nomination Allocation
New Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement to Harmonize Immigration Policies to Canada’s Largest Province

Ontario’s two streams for International Students (Masters and PhD) that do not require a job offer are the only ones that remain closed.

The announcement signals the start of action for Canada’s largest province for 2018, as it continues to be the most popular destination for new immigrants to the country.

A statement said: “The OINP is pleased to announce that the federal government, recognizing the success of the OINP and its importance to Ontario’s economy, has increased the province’s 2018 allocation by 600 nominations to a total of 6,600.”

Status of OINP Streams

Immigration Stream Status
Human Capital Priorities (Express Entry) Open
French-Speaking Skilled Worker (Express Entry) Open
Skilled Trades (Express Entry) Open
Employer Job Offer Open
International Student (Masters Graduate) Closed
International Student (PhD Graduate) Closed
Investor Immigration (Corporate) Open
Investor Immigration (Entrepreneur) Open

Source: www.ontarioimmigration.ca

Open Ontario Streams: Basic Requirements

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
  • Minimum of 1-year of full time, or full time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation level 0, A or B;
  • Canadian equivalent Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD;
  • Minimum CLB level 7 in IELTS general exam;
  • Intention to reside in the Province of Ontario;
  • Minimum of 400 points under the Federal Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.

Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
  • Minimum of 1-year of full time, or full time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation  level 0, A or B;
  • Canadian equivalent Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD;
  • Minimum CLB level 7 in TEF exam;
  • Intention to reside in the Province on Ontario;
  • Minimum of 400 points under the Federal Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.

Ontario Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream

The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream targets skilled trades workers in the construction and agricultural sectors, but could be expanded in the future.

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
  • At least 12 months of paid cumulative or continuous Ontario work experience with the last two years prior to your Notification of Interest in National Occupation Classification 633, or major groups 72, 73 or 82;
  • Proof of Ontario license or certification if your occupation so requires;
  • A valid work permit and be resident in Ontario at the time of application;
  • English or French-language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking;
  • Proof of settlement fund to cover you and your dependents, with the minimum amount determined by official Low Income Cut-Offs.

Ontario will select eligible applicants from the Express Entry Pool. Candidates who are selected will receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario and may then submit an application for nomination under the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program.

Ontario Employer Job Offer Category

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

The category has three streams, for foreign workers, international students and in-demand skills.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

To qualify, applicants must have:

  • A permanent and full time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets prevailing wage levels for Ontario;
  • Two 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 in or visiting Canada on a valid permit.

Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

To qualify, applicants must have:

  • A permanent and full time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets entry wage levels for Ontario;
  • 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.

Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

The Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream is currently open to applications from candidates in specific occupations in the agriculture and construction industries, listed below:

National Occupational Classification Occupation
NOC 7441 Residential and commercial installers and servicers
NOC 7521 Heavy equipment operators (except crane)
NOC 8431 General farm workers
NOC 8432 Nursery and greenhouse workers
NOC 8611 Harvesting labourers
NOC 7611 Construction trades helpers and labourers
NOC 9462 Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, related workers

Key Candidate Requirements

1) Permanent and full-time job offer in one of the eligible occupations.

2) Job offer that meets the prevailing wage in Ontario for the occupation. For those already working in the position, the wage must be equal or greater than your current wage.

Further Candidate Requirements

1) Work Experience

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.

2) Education

Equivalent of Canadian high school education or above.

3) Valid certificate or licence

Valid certificate or license at the time of application for any claimed work experience that requires it.

4) Language 

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French in all language competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

5) Settlement Funds

Sufficient funds and/or income in Ontario to cover settlement costs for you and your family members.

Ontario Corporate Stream

There are a number of steps that must be followed in order to apply under the OCS business program:

Step 1: Make Sure You Satisfy all the Criteria and Requirements of the OCS

Step 2: Submit Application

Step 3: Application Assessment

Step 4: Sign Performance Agreement

Step 5: Temporary Work Permit

Step 6:  Arrival and Business Establishment

Step 7: Nomination and Application for Permanent Residence

Step 8: Monitoring

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

There are a number of steps that need to be followed in order to apply under the OES business program:

Stage 1

Step 1: Make Sure You Satisfy all Criteria and Requirements

Step 2: Complete and Submit an Online Expression of Interest (EOI)

Step 3: Invitation to Apply

Step 4: Submit Your Online Application

Step 5: Application Assessment

Step 6: Sign Performance Agreement

Stage 2

Step 7: Before You Arrive: Temporary Work Permit

Step 8: After You Arrive: 20 Months For Business Establishment

Step 9: Nomination for Permanent Residence

Step 10: Application For Permanent Residence, Plus Three Years of Monitoring

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here 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.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.