In 2021 there were about 198,000 new permanent residents in Ontario which is 49 percent the increase in the permanent resident in Canada.
Ontario is the largest city in Canada with a vast population. Ontario welcomes a large number of new immigrants due to its robust economy, well-established support systems, and immigrant communities.
Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program provides nine immigration pathways to those who wish to settle in Ontario.
Defining Provincial Nomination
The Provincial Nominee Program is developed explicitly for provinces to welcome immigrants supporting the labor force needs on a local level.
If a candidate qualifies the specific criteria of the PNP pathway, he will receive a nomination by a province that can be added to the permanent residence application to IRCC.
Importance of PNP for Ontario
Ontario introduced the PNP much later in 2007 due to its huge population. The PNP system provided increased opportunities for new immigrants in Canada to prove themselves economically. It also enabled Ontario to choose candidates who would be a great fit to fulfilling the labor force needs. The Canadian provinces excluding Nunavut and Quebec have their separate PNPs.
Categories offered by Ontario
Primarily, there are four streams under the Provincial Nomination and each of these streams consists of subcategories, making it around nine pathways of provincial nomination in Ontario.
Human Capital Priority Streams
The Human Capital Priority Streams align perfectly with the application system of the Express Entry.
Suppose the candidate meets the criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, he will also become eligible for Ontario’s Provincial Nomination through the two streams provided they demonstrate an intention to settle in Ontario.
French Speaking Skilled Worker Class
Ontario provides the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Class to those who are adept in both the official languages in Ontario. The qualifying factors are exactly similar to the Federal Skilled Worker Program including work experience, funding proof, and education.
Candidates should ensure a CLB of 7 in the French language and 6 in the English language.
Skilled Trades Program
Candidates who meet the qualifying criteria of Express Entry through the Federal Skilled Trade Program will be eligible to receive a provincial nomination through the stream of Skilled Trades.
The candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of experience in their specific trade. Also, the work experience must fall under the category of NOC codes- (Minor group 633 and major group- 72, 73, and 82).
Employer Job Offer Category
Even if a candidate doesn’t qualify for the Express Entry, he can directly submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province if nominated in other categories.
You may use the Expression of Interest only in the case where you apply directly to the government for nomination.
Sending an Expression of Interest demonstrates that you want Ontario’s government to invite you. If you receive an invitation, you can apply to Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program.
Make sure you have completed the attestation form the same day as you submit your Expression of Interest. The attestation form is essential because it states that you have met the eligibility requirements for your chosen program and your EOI is based on true information.
Foreign Worker Stream- Employer Job Offer
Those foreign workers living abroad but have a valid job offer from an employer in Ontario. The jobs should be aligned with the NOC skill types O, A, and B. Make sure you possess an appropriate license or a collective working experience of two years in the same occupation listed in NOC.
International Graduates- Employer Job Offer
This stream applies to those candidates who will be completing their graduation from foreign colleges or universities along with a job offer from Ontario’s employer.
Candidates should have their jobs based on the NOC code A, O, or B. Make sure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The degree or diploma must be of two years duration based on full-time studies.
- A degree, diploma, or a certificate with at least one-year duration based on full-time studies with an essential requirement of prior degree completion to get admission under it.
Employer Job Offer: In-demand occupations
Skilled workers either living in Canada or abroad with work experience based on either NOC type C and D are eligible for nomination. They should have substantial experience in those occupations that require a larger workforce in Ontario.
The occupations differ based on whether an employment offer is within or outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Categories of Master and PhD
Students graduating from universities in Ontario intend to plan their stay in the province. The candidate needs to have at least one year’s study experience at an eligible university in Ontario to qualify for the Master’s Graduate Stream. The Ph.D. students should also have completed two years of their Ph.D. in Ontario. Both the above streams require candidates to live in Ontario for a complete year in the last two years.
Category of Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur’s category functions on a different level with candidates having to submit an Expression of Interest. In the event of receiving an invitation to apply, candidates will require to give a compulsory interview and also sign a performance agreement. If the candidate is successful, he will receive a Canadian temporary work permit. After 20 months of arriving in Canada, they’ll be called upon to implement a business plan and provide a final review. If the candidate can meet the business requirements, they will also require to submit documents to demonstrate their eligibility for permanent residence.
Conclusion
The retention rate for immigrants in Ontario is 93 percent. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is beneficial for the province because it significantly contributes to the economic establishment. Ontario is currently on the path of meeting or exceeding the previous number of invitations, around 9,000, for provincial nominations in 2021.
