Recent Changes to the Ontario-OINP Draw for Two Express Entry Streams

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Ontario’s official provincial nominee program (PNP), has updated its requirements to align with the federal Express Entry targeted draws.

Watch this in-depth video covering the latest updates to the Ontario-OINP draw.

Key Changes to OINP Express Entry Streams

The OINP has modified the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Trades stream and the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream, aligning them more closely with federal Express Entry draws. Candidates in the Express Entry pool are now targeted under these streams if they have at least six months of experience (down from one year) in their primary occupation. However, a cumulative one year of experience in different occupations is still required for overall eligibility.

How OINP Express Entry Stream Draws Work

To qualify for one of OINP’s Express Entry streams, candidates do not need to create a separate profile with OINP. Instead, they must indicate Ontario as their intended province for immigration. OINP searches the IRCC’s Express Entry pool to identify profiles that meet their criteria. Based on the previous Express Entry draw, OINP announces the CRS cutoff score and sends invitations to eligible candidates. Those who accept the invitation and meet OINP’s criteria receive a provincial nomination, adding 600 points to their profile. This boost significantly increases their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency in subsequent IRCC draws.

Updated Work Experience Eligibility for OINP Streams

Skilled Trades Stream: Eligible candidates must have at least one year of cumulative full-time paid work experience, or equivalent part-time work, in specific Ontario NOC groups. If invited for a provincial nomination in a targeted OINP draw, candidates must demonstrate that at least six months of their one year of work experience is in the primary NOC code targeted.

Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream: For Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, a minimum of one year of cumulative full-time paid work experience, or the equivalent in part-time work, in Canada in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations is required. Invited candidates need to show at least six months of experience in the primary NOC code to be eligible for a targeted OINP draw.

Gaps in Alignment with Federal Express Entry Draws

Despite these changes, there are still gaps between OINP and federal Express Entry draws. For instance, while the federal Express Entry targets ten specific occupations in the Skilled Trades stream, OINP invites profiles from around 46 occupations but with a lower CRS cutoff score. Consequently, candidates with experience in the remaining 36 occupations may miss out on opportunities for permanent residency.

OINP Express Entry Streams

OINP has three Express Entry streams for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who intend to reside in Ontario:

1. Human Capital Priorities stream
2. French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream
3. Skilled Trades stream

Summary of OINP Express Entry Draws 2024

In 2024, OINP has conducted 10 Express Entry draws, inviting a total of 17,437 profiles to claim provincial nominations, compared to 17,502 last year.