Introduction
Alexander, a German citizen working in the healthcare sector in Waterloo, Ontario, holds a valid work permit but does not qualify for Express Entry due to his age. He has learned about the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and wonders if he meets the requirements for the Foreign Worker Stream with an Employer Job Offer.
What is OINP?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers various immigration options for individuals interested in settling in Ontario. The current program options include:
- Employer Job Offer
- Foreign Worker Stream
- International Student Stream
- In-Demand Skills Stream
- Post-Graduates from Ontario Universities
- Masters Graduate Stream
- Ph.D. Graduate Stream
- Selection based on required skills in Ontario
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
This article focuses on the Foreign Worker Stream.
The OINP Foreign Worker Stream – Job Offer Requirements
The Foreign Worker Stream is designed for individuals with skilled worker experience, whether residing in Canada or abroad. To be eligible for this stream, applicants must receive a job offer from a qualified employer. The job offer must meet the following requirements:
- The job offer is in a skilled occupation under NOC levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- It is a full-time and permanent position.
- The salary offered is equal to or higher than the prevailing wage.
- The employer has an urgent need for the applicant’s skills.
- The work will primarily be in Ontario.
Applicant’s Requirements for the OINP Foreign Worker Stream
To qualify for the Foreign Worker Stream, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- If the position requires a license in Ontario, the applicant must hold that license from an Ontario regulator.
- If a license is not mandatory, the applicant must have at least two years of work experience and a minimum of 3,120 hours of work experience in the same position within the past five years.
In addition to work experience or licensing, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- The intention to reside in Ontario, which could be due to job prospects or family ties.
- If already in Canada, the applicant must have a valid legal status.
The Application Process
Assuming the applicant meets the requirements, they should follow these steps:
- Create an online account on the OINP portal and enter the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Submit required documents and pay the processing fee online within the given time frame.
- Receive a Confirmation of Nomination from the province.
- Apply for permanent residency through the IRCC PR Portal.
The EOI Criteria for Foreign Worker Stream
Points are awarded when entering the EOI pool. OINP uses various criteria to calculate these points, with a maximum of 76 points. Points allocation is subject to change. The criteria include:
Employment or Labour Market Factors
- Job offer under NOC TEER category, up to 10 points:
- NOC TEER 0 or 1 – 10 Points
- NOC TEER 2 or 3 – 8 Points
- NOC TEER 4 or 5 – 0 Points
- Job offer under NOC broad occupational category, up to 10 points:
- Occupational Category 0, 2, 3 – 10 points
- Occupational Category 7 – 7 points
- Occupational Category 1, 9 – 5 points
- Occupational Category 4, 8 – 4 points
- Occupational Category 5, 6 – 3 points
- Job offer wage, up to 10 points:
- $40 per hour or higher – 10 points
- $35 to $39.99 per hour – 8 points
- $30 to $34.99 per hour – 7 points
- $25 to $29.99 per hour – 6 points
- $20 to $24.99 per hour – 5 points
- Less than $20 per hour – 0 points
- Work permit status, up to 10 points:
- With a valid work permit – 10 points
- Without a valid work permit – 0 points
- Job tenure with the job offer employer, up to 3 points (only if work has occurred in Ontario):
- Six months or more working in a job offer position – 3 points
- Less than six months working in a job offer position or not currently working in the position – 0 points
- Canadian work experience based on earnings, up to 3 points:
- $40k or more earnings in a year – 3 points
- Less than $40k earnings in a year – 0 points
Language
- Official language ability (IELTS General, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada), up to 10 points:
- CLB 9 or higher – 10 points
- CLB 8 – 6 points
- CLB 7 – 4 points
- CLB 6 or lower – 0 points
- Knowledge of official languages, up to 10 points:
- 2 Official Languages – 10 points
- 1 Official Language – 5 points
Regionalization
- Regional immigration based on the job offer location, up to 10 points:
- Northern Ontario – 10 points
- Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario) – 8 points
- Inside GTA (except Toronto) – 3 points
- Toronto – 0 points
The Past Invitations
OINP reviews the EOI pool and invites applicants based on Ontario’s priorities. The invitation criteria can vary. Here are some examples of past invitations:
| Date Issued | Number of Invitations | Date Profiles Created | Score Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 15, 2023 | 375 | November 22, 2022 – August 15, 2023 | 30 and above | Targeted draw for skilled trades occupations |
| August 15, 2023 | 1131 | November 22, 2022 – August 15, 2023 | 46 and above | Targeted draw for health and tech occupations |
| June 20, 2023 | 426 | November 22, 2022 – June 20, 2023 | 36 and above | Targeted draw for skilled trades occupations |
| January 31, 2023 | 611 | November 22, 2022 – January 31, 2023 | 53 and above | Targeted draw for tech and health occupations |
| March 30, 2022 | 155 | April 28, 2021 – March 30, 2022 | 23 and above | Targeted draw for skilled trades occupations |
| March 1, 2022 | 456 | April 28, 2021 – March 1, 2022 | 39 and above | General Draw |
| January 11, 2022 | 264 | April 28, 2021 – January 11, 2022 | 38 and above | General Draw |
Please note that the information provided here is not exhaustive and is meant to give an overview of the OINP Foreign Worker Stream. For up-to-date statistics and specific details, you can visit the official OINP website. Notably, the program focuses on certain occupations in recent draws, with the last general draw occurring in March 2022.
