The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Ontario’s official provincial nominee program (PNP), has recently adjusted its streams to better align with targeted draws seen in the federal Express Entry system.
Specifically, the OINP has revised the eligibility criteria for its Skilled Trades stream and Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream, bringing them more in line with the targeted approach of Express Entry draws.
Under these changes, candidates in the Express Entry pool can now qualify for targeted draws in the Skilled Trades stream and HCP stream with a minimum of 6 months of experience in their primary occupation, down from the previous requirement of 1 year.
However, it’s important to note that candidates will still need a cumulative total of 1 year of experience across different occupations to remain eligible overall.
These adjustments reflect Ontario’s ongoing efforts to streamline its immigration processes and attract skilled workers who can contribute to the province’s economic growth and development. Prospective immigrants should stay informed about these updates to ensure they meet the evolving criteria and maximize their chances of receiving a provincial nomination from Ontario.
Understanding How OINP Express Entry Stream Draws Work
To comprehend the workings of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Express Entry streams, potential candidates in the Express Entry pool should follow these key steps:
- Express Entry Pool Inclusion: Candidates do not need to create a separate profile with OINP. Instead, they must indicate Ontario as their intended province of immigration within their existing Express Entry profile.
- Candidate Search: OINP regularly searches the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Express Entry pool to identify profiles that align with the eligibility criteria of OINP’s Express Entry streams.
- CRS Score and Invitation: After assessing the pool of candidates and referencing previous Express Entry draws, OINP announces a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score specific to the province. Candidates who meet or exceed this score receive an invitation notification through the Express Entry system.
- Acceptance and Nomination: Eligible candidates who accept the invitation must also meet OINP’s specific eligibility criteria to receive a provincial nomination.
- Point Addition: A provincial nomination adds 600 points to the candidate’s CRS score, significantly enhancing their overall ranking.
- Permanent Residency Application: With the increased CRS score, nominated candidates become eligible to apply for permanent residency through subsequent draws conducted by IRCC, including general/all program draws, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draws, or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.
Understanding this process is crucial for prospective immigrants aiming to settle in Ontario through the OINP Express Entry streams, as it ensures they can navigate the system effectively and maximize their chances of receiving a provincial nomination.
New Eligibility Requirements for OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Work Experience
To qualify under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Express Entry Skilled Trades stream, eligible candidates must meet the following revised work experience criteria:
- Cumulative Work Experience: Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of cumulative full-time paid work experience, or an equivalent amount in part-time paid work, in the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups:
- Ontario Major Groups 72 (excluding transportation officers), 73, 82, 83, 93 (excluding aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors), or Minor Group 6320 (excluding cooks).
- Targeted Draw Requirement: In targeted OINP draws where candidates are invited to claim the provincial nomination, they must demonstrate that at least 6 months of their 1 year of eligible work experience falls within the primary NOC code that is being targeted for that draw.
These updates reflect OINP’s effort to align with the specific occupational needs of Ontario’s labor market. Prospective applicants should ensure their work experience meets these updated requirements to enhance their eligibility for provincial nomination under the Skilled Trades stream.
Revised Eligibility for OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream Work Experience
Under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream, the eligibility criteria for work experience have been updated as follows:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Candidates: Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category must possess a minimum of 1 year of cumulative full-time paid work experience, or the equivalent in part-time work, in Canada. This experience must be in National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
- Targeted Draw Requirement: Candidates invited by OINP from the Express Entry pool will now only need to demonstrate at least 6 months of their work experience within the primary NOC code being targeted for the specific OINP draw.
These adjustments streamline the process for skilled workers seeking provincial nomination under the Human Capital Priorities stream, ensuring alignment with Ontario’s specific labor market needs. Prospective applicants should review these updated requirements carefully to determine their eligibility and enhance their chances of receiving an invitation from OINP.
Overview of OINP Express Entry Streams
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers three express entry streams that specifically consider candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who intend to settle in Ontario:
These are the three OINP express entry streams:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
Each of these streams targets different categories of skilled workers and professionals, providing opportunities for eligible candidates to receive provincial nominations from Ontario based on their skills, work experience, and ability to contribute to the province’s economy.
Summary of OINP Express Entry Draws in 2024
In 2024, there have been 10 OINP Express Entry draws, inviting a total of 17,437 profiles to claim provincial nominations. This figure shows a slight decrease compared to the 17,502 profiles invited during the same period last year.
| OINP Express Entry Stream | Invitations | CRS Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Priorities stream | 9,829 | 352-480 |
| French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream | 1,196 | 305-469 |
| Skilled Trades stream | 6,412 | 350-435 |
Recent OINP Express Entry Draw Details
The most recent OINP Express Entry draw took place on July 18, 2024, during which 1,240 invitations for permanent residency were issued under the Human Capital Priorities stream.
Invitations were extended to Express Entry profiles with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores ranging between 425 and 444, specifically targeting candidates with experience in one of the 43 healthcare occupations.
