Unlike many other countries around the world, Canada allows foreigners to immigrate without first obtaining a work offer. Because the Canadian immigration system is so diverse and dynamic, those who have not yet found a job that will allow them to immigrate to Canada have a number of options. While the Express Entry method is the most popular and desirable immigration path in Canada, the Provincial Nominee Program is an equally promising option (PNP).
Express Entry is based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points for various human capital aspects. While a job offer is not required in most situations, having one will result in a significantly larger number of points and, as a result, a better chance of being invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The PNP in Canada, on the other hand, was created to ensure a more equitable distribution of immigration benefits across the country. Each year, the program enables participating provinces and territories to nominate a certain number of economic immigrants for permanent residence. PNPs differ significantly from province to province, with each establishing its unique set of nomination requirements. To apply for a PNP to immigrate to Canada, you must first be nominated by a province or territory.
Without a work offer, how can I immigrate through the OINP?
Nine Canadian provinces and two territories participate in the PNP, including Ontario. Every year, the province welcomes one-third of all newcomers to Canada. People opt to live in Ontario because of the variety of jobs available, the high income, and the diverse population. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is one of the most active PNPs in the country. Each year, 8,000 invites to apply are sent out through various channels. If you want to relocate to Ontario but don’t have a job offer, you can apply through the Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream. This programme is for foreign skilled professionals who want to work and live in Ontario permanently. It enables the province to seek for and nominate suitable applicants who have submitted a profile through the federal Express Entry pool and who meet the language, job experience, and other requirements for employment in the province.
A job offer is not required, but you must have an active Express Entry profile and meet Ontario’s standards, such as having work experience in specified vocations or sectors, to be considered for this stream. If you apply to be nominated by Ontario and get a Notification of Interest, you will receive an invitation to submit an online application to the OINP using your Express Entry account. A Nomination Approval Letter will be sent to you if your application is approved. In the Express Entry method, you will be prompted to accept or reject the nomination. If you accept, your Express Entry CRS score will be increased by 600 points, thereby ensuring that you will be invited to apply for permanent residency with the Government of Canada. With 4,851 NOIs already given to Express Entry candidates, the Human Capital Priorities Stream has been one of the most active Ontario PNP streams so far this year.
OINP Express Entry-Human Capital Priority Stream Requirements:
To be considered for the OINP Express Entry-Human Capital Priority Stream, you must meet the following requirements:
Have an Express Entry profile that is active;
Meet the criteria for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
Meet the work experience requirements for the stream;
Have a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree from a Canadian university or an equivalent international education certification;
Demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark language competence level of 7 or above;
Desire to live in Ontario;
Have enough money to cover Ontario settlement costs.