Provincial Nominee Program

Ontario is Canada’s most populous province, home to the nation’s capital, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. It is Canada’s leading manufacturing province and abounds in natural resources. However, the largest part of its economy is the services sector, which employs 79% of the province and includes business, financial, professional and technical services, as well as culture and arts.

Ontario Province is situated in central Canada and is the most renowned destination for overseas immigrants arriving in Canada. It hosts the economic hub of Canada, Toronto City, and the capital of Canada as well Ottawa.

The Provincial Nominee Program of Ontario is termed the OINP – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Ontario makes use of this program to offer Permanent Residence to select immigrant applicants so that they can cater to the labor market shortages in the province and contribute to its economy.

The program is operated by the Government of Ontario in partnership with the federal immigration agency IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

It gives foreign workers with the required skilled work experience, language abilities and education the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.

You must have a valid profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario before you can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.

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 a 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 Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Show language proficiency of minimum CLB 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.

Human Capital Priorities Tech Draws

Ontario targets six specific technology sector occupations with tech draws from the Express Entry pool as part of the HCP stream.

As well as meeting the above requirements, candidates must have experience in one of the six occupations to qualify.

HCP Tech Draws: Target Occupations

1. Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
2. Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
3. Computer engineers (NOC 2147)
4. Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
5. Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
6. Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)

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.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream

The Employer Job Offer under the Foreign Worker stream gives a job offer in a skilled occupation the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.

The job offer must be in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This stream is open to foreign workers in and outside of Canada.

The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OES)

The OES is aimed at individuals from outside Canada who want to start a business or buy an already existing business in Ontario.

Those who are approved for the program will be nominated for Canadian Permanent Residence.

Once nominated, an applicant qualifies to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

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

1. Make Sure You Satisfy all Criteria and Requirements
2. Complete and Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
3. Invitation to Apply
4. Submit Your Application
5. Application Assessment
6. Sign Performance Agreement
7. Temporary Work Permit
8. Arrival and Business Establishment
9. Nomination and Application for Permanent Residence
10. Monitoring.

The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the province to nominate qualified applicants from the federal Express Entry system.

Qualified candidates are selected directly from the Express Entry pool by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). Candidates must receive a notification of interest before they are able to submit an application.

The stream is aimed at candidates with strong ties to Alberta who help boost the economy and increase diversity. International graduates will also be invited.

Alberta’s Accelerated Tech Pathway also falls under the stream, offering a fast-track to permanent residence to candidates with a job offer in one of 38 technology occupations.

In order to be eligible to receive a notification of interest, candidates must:

• Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
• Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta.
• Be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification.
• Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300 points.

The AINP regularly reviews candidates’ profiles in the federal Express Entry pool and issues Notifications of Interest inviting candidates to apply for nomination.

The details of each draw are typically published approximately one month after the date of draw.

Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s prairie provinces, with a vibrant culture and welcoming people.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) allows the province to nominate candidates to the federal government for permanent residence under three main categories:

1. International Skilled Worker

The Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker category includes sub-categories for:

• Employment Offer
• Occupation-In-Demand
• Saskatchewan Express Entry
• Hard-To-Fill Skills Pilot
• International Healthcare Worker EOI
• Tech Talent Pathway

The Occupation-In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-categories operate using an Expression of Interest system.

• Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
• Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Employers and regulatory bodies may ask for higher;
• Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
• Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
• At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years:
• In your field of education or training occupation, and
• In an occupation in NOC A, B, 0 not included on the list.
• Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan if your field so requires, as the authorities will not process an application without the licensure.
• Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
• Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.