Ontario Targets 23 Health, Skilled Trades Occupations In First Expression of Interest Draw

Colin Singer
September 23, 2021

Ontario has issued the first invitations to apply through its newly launched Expression of Interest system.

On May 11, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) targeted candidates through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream with a score of 31 or above.

Candidates needed to have work experience in one of the following occupations:

Healthcare

3012 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

3112 – General practitioners and family physicians

3121 – Optometrists

3122 – Chiropractors

3124 – Allied primary health practitioners

3125 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating

3131 – Pharmacists

3132 – Dietitians and nutritionists

3141 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

3213 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

3214 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

3215 – Medical radiation technologists

3216 – Medical sonographers

3232 – Practitioners of natural healing

3236 – Massage therapists

Skilled Trades

7241 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)

7271 – Carpenters

7291 – Roofers and shinglers

7302 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

7312 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

7313 – Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

7316 – Machine fitters

7318 – Elevator constructors and mechanics

Ontario’s Expression of Interest system was launched in April 2021, with two of the five linked streams currently open.

Both the Foreign Worker and International Student streams of the Employer Job Offer Category are currently open.

The three remaining streams covered by the EOI system are Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills, Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate. They will open ‘in the near future’, Ontario recently said.

Ontario plans to keep the EOI system open permanently, allowing candidates to register at any time.

Once registered, an EOI profile is valid for 12 months or until an invitation to apply is received.

The EOI system manages application intake for the following streams:

Employer Job Offer category.
- Foreign Worker stream (open).
- International Student stream (open).
- In-Demand Skills stream (coming soon).
Masters Graduate (coming soon).
Ph.D. Graduate (coming soon).

Ontario Expression of Interest Ranking System

Points are awarded based on the following attributes:

Level and field of education and where they completed their studies.
Proficiency in English or French.
Intention to settle outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
Skill and work experience level, earnings history, other factors relevant to prospects in Ontario job market.
Labour market needs in the province or region of the province.

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.
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.

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, which 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 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.