Ontario has started accepting applications for the new Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Regional Immigration Pilot.
The pilot, which falls under the Employer Job Offer category, is designed to use the OINP to bring skilled labour not available locally to smaller Ontario communities.
To qualify candidates must have a permanent job offer from one of the three participating communities:
- Chatham-Kent.
- Cornwall
- Quinte West/Belleville.
Candidates must also meet the criteria for one of the Ontario Employer Job Offer streams, namely:
- Foreign Worker.
- International Student.
- In-Demand Skills.
The Employer Job Offer category is designed to help employers fill labour gaps in professional, managerial and in-demand occupations with foreign workers and international students. Candidates can apply from within or outside Canada.
In opening applications for the pilot, an OINP statement made it clear there was no intention of hampering the COVID-19 economic recovery.
“The pilot is not intended to overlap with local efforts to employ workers who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who may have been laid off as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak,” the statement said.
The pilot was initially launched in December 2019 following a consultation period with a number of stakeholders in smaller Ontario communities. It has an allocation of approximately 150 nominations.
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Ontario Launches New OINP Regional Immigration Pilot
Ontario Planning New OINP Regional Immigration Pilot
OINP Regional Immigration Pilot
Participating Communities
- Chatham-Kent.
- Quinte West/Belleville.
Candidate Requirements
- Full-time and permanent job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities.
- Meet the criteria for one of the Employer Job Offer category streams (see below).
Number of Nominations
Approximately 150 Employer Job Offer nominations have been set aside for the pilot.
Employer Job Offer Category Eligibility Requirements
Foreign Worker Stream
To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:
- A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets the median wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
- For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid
- Two cumulative years of relevant work experience in the previous five years before the date of application;
- Relevant mandatory licensing in Ontario, if the position so requires;
- Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
- Intention to settle in Ontario.
International Student Stream
To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:
- A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets low wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
- For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid
- Either
- Graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum two-year degree from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university; OR
- Graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum one-year post-graduate diploma program from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university.
- Completed at least half the studies in Canada;
- Apply within two years from the date you completed the above course
- Legal status in Ontario
- Intention to settle in Ontario.
In-Demand Skills Stream
This stream targets candidates with specific skilled in-demand in Ontario. To qualify, applicants must have:
- A permanent and full-time job offer under certain occupations in the agriculture or construction sector and meets the median wage in Ontario for the occupation (see table below), and in a position that is necessary to the business.
- For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid.
- 9 months of cumulative work experience in the last three years in one of the eligible occupations. Experience must be paid and full time, or the equivalent amount in part time work in Ontario.
- Seasonal work does not count.
- The equivalent of Canadian high school education or higher.
- Valid certificate or license at the time of application for any claimed work experience that requires it.
- Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French in all language competencies.
- Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
- Intention to settle in Ontario.
