Ontario Provincial Nominee Program

Ontario Province is situated in the heartland of Canada and has earned a worldwide reputation as the most coveted destination for foreign settlers. It is home to the country's economic powerhouse, Toronto City, and also serves as the nation's capital, Ottawa. The city of Toronto boasts of being the most culturally diverse city in the world, and this inclusiveness is greatly celebrated in the province of Ontario

Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program, known as the OINP or Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, offers Permanent Residence to a select group of immigrant applicants who can contribute to the province's economy and fill labor market shortages. The program assists Ontario's employers in recruiting skilled, professional, and managerial foreign workers and international students to meet their human resource demands. It is a joint initiative of the Government of Ontario and the federal immigration agency IRCC or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Prospective candidates seeking to immigrate to the province must undergo a two-stage process:

Firstly, they need to apply for nomination by the Government of Ontario. Once nominated, they can apply for Permanent Residence to the Canadian Federal Government.

This program opens up exciting opportunities for talented individuals and skilled professionals to become an integral part of Ontario's growing economy and multicultural society.

What are the diverse immigration channels available through the Ontario PNP?

Ontario PNP, also referred to as Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), comprises a range of pathways that aim to offer permanent residence to overseas nationals seeking Canada PR Visa. The Ontario PNP program strategically targets specific areas that can benefit the province, such as labor shortage sectors, skilled workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.

The Ontario PNP offers three immigration streams, namely the Employer Job Offer stream, Human Capital stream, and Business Immigration stream. Each of these streams further contains several sub-categories.

Candidates have the option to select from five diverse streams to apply for a nomination from Ontario. These include all three sub-streams from the Employer Job Offer stream and two sub-streams from the Overseas Student stream.

In addition to these, Ontario also manages three immigration streams that are synchronized with the federal Express Entry program, focusing on applicants who possess essential qualifications such as experience, education, language skills, and an ability to settle in Ontario and contribute to its economic growth.

The Entrepreneur Category is a unique immigration program under Ontario PNP, as it accepts Expressions of Interest (EOI) only. Interested candidates must wait for selection and receive an invitation to apply, as they cannot apply directly for nomination. However, unlike other federal immigration programs, candidates do not need to hold a valid profile in Express Entry, nor are they required to fulfill the requirements of any federal immigration program.

The Human Capital Program in Ontario

is comprised of several immigration categories that aim to attract candidates who can contribute to the province's workforce. These categories prioritize candidates' skills, experience, and abilities, demonstrating their potential to integrate into Ontario's labor market. Candidates with educational or work experience in Ontario, fluency in both English and French, and those with profiles in the federal Express Entry system may be successful through one of the following categories

• Express Entry - Human Capital Priorities
• Express Entry Skilled Worker French Speaking.
• Express Entry - Skilled Trades
• Graduate - Masters
• Free education for kids up to 18 years of age.
• Graduate - Masters

is designed for individuals who have a valid job offer from an employer in the province. There are three sub-categories under this program, which are:

Overseas Worker Stream:

This stream is for skilled workers who are residing outside Canada and have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. The job offer must be in a skilled occupation that falls under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.

International Student Stream:

This stream is for international students who have completed their studies in Canada and have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. The job offer must be in a skilled occupation that falls under NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.

In-Demand Skills Stream:

This stream is for foreign workers with work experience in certain in-demand occupations in Ontario. Candidates must have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer in one of the eligible occupations, which can be found on the OINP website.

All three sub-categories have specific eligibility criteria that must be met in order to be considered for nomination by the OINP.

Ontario's Business Immigration Program

is designed to attract affluent corporations and entrepreneurs who are interested in making significant investments in the province. This program offers nomination for a Canada PR Visa to applicants who successfully establish a business venture in Ontario.

There are three categories under the Business Immigration Program:

• Entrepreneur:

  This category is for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario. Interested candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the OINP, and if selected, they will receive an invitation to apply.

• Investor (currently closed):

  This category is for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario. Interested candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the OINP, and if selected, they will receive an invitation to apply.

• Corporate (currently closed):

  This category is for established corporations that are interested in expanding their business to Ontario. This stream is currently closed.

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) conducts a draw every month

in which it issues Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates in the Express Entry pool. These candidates are invited to apply for a nomination through one of the OINP streams aligned with Express Entry. The specific methodology and details used for each draw are announced after the draw is held.

Processing Time for Ontario PNP

The processing time for Ontario PNP can be divided into two periods:

• The time taken by the Ontario province to offer the Nomination
• The time taken for the Canada PR Visa to be processed and offered

Currently, the province estimates its processing times to be around 90 to 60 days for the majority of its immigration streams. For Express Entry Skilled Trades, the applications are being processed within 60 to 30 days. The processing times for each Business immigration application are determined by the complexity of individual applications.

At the federal level, IRCC processes non-Express Entry nominee applications from provinces within 19 to 15 months. The usual average of 6 months applies to streams aligned with Express Entry.

What are the requirements for Canada Immigration From Pakistan?

The minimum requirements to apply for the OINP under the HCP stream are as follows:.



Appropriate Work Experience

You must have at least 1 year of full-time, paid work experience in skill type B, 0, or A as listed in the NOC within the last 5 years before applying. The occupation should also match the one mentioned in your Express Entry profile



Education Level

You must have a graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral degree. If your degree is obtained outside Canada, you must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report



Proficiency in Language

You m ust have a minimum of 6 bands in all 4 abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in either French or English language in IELTS.



Proof of Funds Statement

You must provide proof that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family members, if any, upon arrival and settlement in Ontario.



Age

You must be under 49 years of age when you submit your application to Ontario.



Proof of Funds Statement

You must provide a settlement plan that shows your intention to settle permanently in Ontario if you are applying through the OINP.

Please note that meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee that you will be nominated by the OINP. Your application will be assessed based on several factors, including the labor market needs of Ontario, your work experience, education, language skills, and settlement plan.

Occupations in demand in Ontario

Here are some examples of occupations in demand in Ontario:

• Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
• Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
• Software Engineers and Designers
• Database Analysts and Data Administrators
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Computer Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Financial Auditors and Accountants
• Administrative Assistants
• Customer Service Representatives
• Sales Representatives
• Transport Truck Drivers
• Registered Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physicians and Surgeons
• Dentists
• Optometrists
• Pharmacists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Chefs
• •Cooks
• Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers - Retail and Wholesale
• Bakers
• Construction Managers

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and the in-demand occupations may change from time to time based on the needs of the Ontario labor market.

Points Calculation for Ontario PNP

To apply for the HCP stream through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), you must score at least 67 points on the OINP Points Grid. The OINP Points Grid evaluates applicants based on factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, age, etc.

After fulfilling the minimum OINP point requirement, you can create your Express Entry profile and submit it to the Express Entry pool. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will then be calculated based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, etc. The minimum CRS score required for Ontario PNP is determined by the provincial immigration authorities and can vary with each draw.

The OINP points calculator is a tool that can be used by applicants to estimate their CRS score based on the OINP Points Grid. If you score the minimum points required and your CRS score is high enough to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI), you will be able to apply for a nomination from Ontario. The NOI allows eligible candidates to apply for a nomination from Ontario.

Calculate the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Express Entry

These are the sections and their corresponding points used to calculate the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Express Entry:

• French and/or English skills: up to 28 points
• Experience: up to 15 points
• Education: up to 25 points
• Age: up to 12 points
• Adaptability: up to 10 points
• Arranged employment in Canada: up to 10 points
• Arranged employment in Canada: up to 10 points
• Total: up to 100 points

These points are used to determine an applicant's CRS score, which is then used to rank them against other candidates in the Express Entry pool. The minimum CRS score required for Ontario PNP is decided by the provincial immigration authorities.

How Visahotspot can help you?

Visahotspot is an immigration law firm that can assist individuals in successfully immigrating to Canada through the Ontario PNP streams and other immigration programs. With experienced and qualified immigration experts, Visahotspot can accurately assess a client's case and advise on the best course of action to meet their needs.

Having been in the immigration industry for 10 years, Visahotspot has built a reputation for being a highly reliable immigration firm with an outstanding track record of successfully processing thousands of PR Visa applications.

The legal advice offers authorized and licensed Immigration Consultants for consultation, step-by-step guidance through eligibility and the process, a secure online process, and a system of complaint redressal for any process. Visahotspot has processed many applications, and every case is assessed multiple times before submission to ensure accuracy and success.

Overall, Visahotspot provides an easy evaluation of qualifications and other skills, making it the best immigration consultant for a Canada PR Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an immigration program run by the Government of Ontario in Canada. It allows the province of Ontario to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residency in Canada who have the skills and experience needed to contribute to the province's economy and society.

The OINP operates several streams through which foreign nationals can apply for nomination by the province, including the Employer Job Offer Stream, the International Student Stream, and the Express Entry Stream, among others. Each stream has its own specific eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

To apply for the OINP, individuals must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the program indicating their interest in being nominated by Ontario. If their EOI is successful, they will be invited to submit a full application for the program.

Overall, the OINP provides an opportunity for skilled and experienced individuals to immigrate to Ontario and contribute to the province's economic growth and diversity.

How to Apply for Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)?

To apply for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), you will need to follow these general steps:

• Determine which OINP stream you are eligible for:

  The OINP operates several streams, each with its own eligibility criteria. Review the eligibility criteria for each stream on the OINP website and select the stream that best suits your situation.

• Create an account and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):

  Once you have determined which stream you are eligible for, you will need to create an account on the OINP e-Filing Portal and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form for that stream.

• Receive an invitation to apply:

  If you meet the eligibility criteria for the stream and your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for the OINP. The invitation will outline the documents you need to submit and the deadline by which you need to submit them.

• Submit a complete application

  Once you receive an invitation to apply, you will need to submit a complete application package, including all the required documents and application forms.

• Wait for a decision:

  After submitting your application, you will need to wait for a decision from the OINP. Processing times vary depending on the stream and the volume of applications.

It is important to note that the OINP operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are limits on the number of applications that can be accepted each year. It is therefore important to apply as soon as you are eligible and ensure that your application is complete and accurate to increase your chances of success.

How many points are required to file the Canada PR application through Ontario PNP?

All petitioners are obligated to possess an Express Entry Canada Comprehensive Ranking System evaluation of 400 points or higher. It is compulsory that this value be upheld throughout both federal and provincial procedures. The minimal score is calculated by provincial governing bodies for migration.

What are the requirements to apply under OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream in 2023?

To be eligible for the OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream in 2023, you must satisfy all seven of the following requirements:

• Work Experience

  A minimum of one year of continuous full-time paid work experience (or an equivalent in part-time paid work) in skill type 0 or skill level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)..

• • Education

  You must possess a Canadian bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree or an equivalent degree obtained from another country. If your education was obtained outside of Canada, you must obtain an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) report that confirms your education is equivalent to a Canadian credential..

• • Language

  You must possess the ability to understand, read, write, and speak English or French at level 7 or higher of the Canadian Linguistic Benchmark (CLB).

• Settlement Funds

  You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependent family members upon arrival in Canada.

• Intention to Live in the Province

  You must demonstrate your intent to live in the province.

• Legal Status

  If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and maintain that status until the time of application.

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):

  If you choose to be evaluated under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must attain at least 67 points across the six selection factors (education, language skills, work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada, and adaptability).