June 30, 2017 – The Ontario immigration office has issued more than half of its provincial nominations quota for 2017, new figures published by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) show.
As of June 19, 2017, Ontario has nominated 3,103 candidates to apply for Canada immigration against a yearly quota of 6,000.
The figures are part of a new Ontario immigration initiative to post monthly nomination reports and also update processing times for the various streams of the program.
OINP Nomination Report: June 19, 2017
| Nominations Issued | Nominations Remaining (out of 6,000) |
| 3,103 | 2,897 |
Source: ontarioimmigration.ca
Processing times show those applying under the International Masters Graduate and International PhD Graduate streams face the shortest wait, in the region of 30 to 60 days. Applications submitted in early to mid-May are currently being processed.
Both streams have opened and closed twice so far in 2017. Applications were most recently paused on May 1 (Masters) and May 24 (PhD).
For other economic streams, including the Express Entry French Speaking Skilled Worker and Human Capital Priorities, plus the newly-named Employer Job Offer, candidates can expect to wait between 60 and 90 days for their applications to be processed.
OINP: Processing Times as of June 19, 2017
| OINP Stream | OINP is processing applications submitted and paid for between the following dates | Estimated processing time |
| Express Entry – French Speaking Skilled Worker | February 2, 2017 and June 19, 2017 inclusive | 60 to 90 days |
| Express Entry – Human Capital Priorities | March 1, 2017 and June 19, 2017 inclusive | 60 to 90 days |
| Express Entry – Skilled Trades | June 8, 2017 and June 19, 2017 inclusive | To be posted at next update |
| International Masters Graduate | May 1, 2017 and May 15, 2017 inclusive | 30 to 60 days |
| International PhD Graduate | May 3, 2017 and May 19, 2017 inclusive | 30 to 60 days |
| Employer Job Offer – Foreign Worker and International Student | February 13, 2017 and June 16, 2017 inclusive | 60 to 90 days |
| Entrepreneur | Applications are assessed on a case by case basis | Dependent upon the complexity of the application |
| Corporate | Applications are assessed on a case by case basis | Dependent upon the complexity of the application |
Source: ontarioimmigration.ca
Processing times are not yet available for the new Express Entry Skilled Trades stream as it was only launched in June 2017.
Meanwhile, for Ontario’s two business streams, entrepreneur and corporate, processing times depend on the complexity of the application. Often these streams can involve detailed business plans that take time to assess.
The OINP has been among the busiest of the provincial programs in 2017, opening and closing several different streams on multiple occasions.
Status of OINP Streams
| Immigration Stream | Status |
| Human Capital Priorities (Express Entry) | Open |
| French-Speaking Skilled Worker (Express Entry) | Open |
| Skilled Trades (Express Entry) | Open |
| Employer Job Offer | Paused (June 10, 2017) |
| International Student (Masters Graduate) | Paused (May 1, 2017) |
| International Student (PhD Graduate) | Paused (May 24, 2017) |
| Investor Immigration (Corporate) | Open |
| Investor Immigration (Entrepreneur) | Open |
Source: ontarioimmigration.ca
The province also tweaked its Employer Pre-Screened stream, changing the name to Employer Job Offer and switching it to become candidate-driven from employer-driven. The province also launched a brand new Express Entry Skilled Trades stream.
Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
The new Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream will initially target workers in the construction and agriculture industries. However, it could be expanded as needs develop.
To qualify applicants must have:
- A pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
- At least 12 months of paid cumulative or continuous work experience with the last two years prior to your Notification of Interest in National Occupation Classification 633, or major groups 72, 73 or 82;
- Proof of Ontario license or certification if your occupation so requires;
- A valid work permit and be resident in Ontario at the time of application;
- English or French-language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking;
- Proof of settlement fund to cover you and your dependents, with the minimum amount determined by official Low-Income Cut-Offs.
Employer Job Offer Stream
The Ontario Employer Job Offer category replaces the previous Employer Pre-Screened category with the key difference being the candidate, not the employer, leads the application process.
The category has two streams, one for foreign workers and one for international students. The employer requirements are the same for both.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
To qualify, applicants must have:
- A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets prevailing wage levels for Ontario;
- Two 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 in or visiting Canada on a valid permit.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
This stream is not to be confused with Ontario’s Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate categories, which do not require job offers.
To qualify for the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream, applicants must have:
- A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets entry wage levels for Ontario;
- 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.
Read More
Key Ontario Immigration Category Reaches Intake Limit
Agriculture Industry Welcomes OINP Canada Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
Ontario Immigration’s PhD Graduate Stream Reaches Intake Limit
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