Ontario Immigration to Introduce Expression of Interest System

Colin R. Singer
September 8, 2020

Ontario immigration is to adopt an Expression of Interest system to manage the application process for some of its most popular streams.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development introduced the changes in a proposal published on Tuesday September 8.

Under the proposal, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will introduce an EOI system for the following streams:

Employer Job Offer category.
- Foreign Worker stream.
- International Student stream.
- In-Demand Skills stream.
Masters Graduate.
Ph.D. Graduate.

The EOI system will work in the same way as the federal Express Entry system.

“Under an EOI system, individuals would register with the OINP and be placed in a selection pool,” the proposal says.

“Individuals would then be required to provide personal information and other labour market and/or human capital information that would form the basis of any Invitation to Apply (ITA).”

Specific regulatory amendments in Tuesday’s proposal include the right to:

Conduct both general and targeted draws.
Score prospective applicants in the EOI pool.
Determine and publish EOI point allocations.
Allocate points to various factors including education and language skills.
Issue ITAs to the top scoring candidates.

Ontario says the introduction of an EOI system will allow it to better respond to specific labour market needs, manage high OINP demand and prioritize the best candidates.

Many Canadian provinces already operate their own EOI systems, including Quebec, which launched the Arrima platform in 2018, making the first invitations in 2019.

Ontario is asking for stakeholder feedback on the plan to introduce an EOI system. A consultation period is open until October 23, 2020.

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Employer Job Offer: 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.

Employer Job Offer: 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.

Employer Job Offer: 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.
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.

Masters Graduates Stream

This stream offers an opportunity to obtain permanent residence to international students who obtained a masters degree in Ontario without requiring a job offer.

To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

Graduated from a Master’s degree program from an eligible institution in Ontario, that was at least one-year full-time.
Obtained minimum language CLB/NCLC level 7 or above in English or in French.
Resided legally in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
Have sufficient settlement funds.
Intend to live and work in Ontario.
Must have legal status in Ontario or abroad.
- Applications from elsewhere in Canada will not be accepted.
Application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements to graduate from the master’s degree.

Ph.D. Graduates Stream

This stream offers international students an opportunity to become a permanent resident for who hold a PhD degree from Ontario without requiring a job offer.

To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

Graduated from a PhD degree program in an eligible institution in Ontario, and have completed at least two-years full-time.
Resided legally in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
Have sufficient settlement funds.
Intend to live and work in Ontario.
Application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements to graduate from the PhD degree.