Ontario’s Human Capital Category

OINP: Human Capital Category

Canada is a great country to live and work in. However, many employers in Canada face problems in filling in jobs. Therefore, to boost Canada’s economy and fill in positions, Canada welcomes many immigrants to Canada.

To help fill in those jobs, the federal government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has created the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The Provincial Nominee Program allows employers to locate foreign workers that have the skills, experience and education level to fill the jobs.

In this blog, we will only focus on Ontario’s Human Capital Category. Please refer to other blogs that cover Employer Job Offer Category and Business Category

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows the government of Ontario to nominate individuals for immigration to Ontario. The program welcomes skilled workers, graduates, and business immigrants to go through a two stage process.

1. Apply for nomination
2. If nominated then apply for permanent residence

Ways of Getting Nomination through OINP

There are 3 ways to get nomination under the OINP which include through Human Capital Category, Employer Job offer Category and Business Category. As mentioned previously, this blog will only cover Human Capital Category.

Human Capital Category

This is for workers who have the work experience, education, language skills and active Express Entry Profile; or for graduate students.

The Human Capital Category has two sub categories which include the International Graduate Stream and Ontario Express Entry Stream.

International Graduate Streams:

Masters Graduate Streams	PhD Streams
Meeting the education level At least 1 year of full time study that is at least 15 hours of instructions per week over 1 academic year. The degree is from an eligible university in Ontario	Meeting the education level At least two years of your PhD studies must have been completed while legally living and studying in Ontario. The degree is from an eligible university in Ontario
Language Requirements CLB 7 or higher in English or French IELTS or CELPIP accepted for English speaking TEC or TCF accepted for French speaking	Language Requirements N/A
Residency in Ontario Lived legally in Ontario for at least 1 year in the past two year prior to applying	Residency in Ontario Lived legally in Ontario for at least 1 year in the past two year prior to applying
Settlement Funds Show sufficient funds to support yourself and dependent family members can be shown through: job offer annual earnings from current employment savings	Settlement Funds Show sufficient funds to support yourself and dependent family members can be shown through: job offer annual earnings from current employment savings
Intent to live in Ontario Applicants have to demonstrate their intent is to continuing living in Ontario after receiving permanent residence. The officer looks at work history in Ontario studying in Ontario volunteering in Ontario family in Ontario Visiting in Ontario	Intent to live in Ontario Applicants have to demonstrate their intent is to continuing living in Ontario after receiving permanent residence. The officer looks at work history in Ontario studying in Ontario volunteering in Ontario family in Ontario Visiting in Ontario
Legal Status in Canada Have legal status in Canada at the time you apply – if applicable	Legal Status in Canada Have legal status in Canada at the time you apply – if applicable
Application Period Submit application within two years of completing your master’s degree. If you don’t have your degree yet, use the date on the official letter from your university which states when your degree will be granted	Application Period Submit application within two years of completing your PhD degree. If you don’t have your degree yet, use the date on the official letter from your university which states when your degree will be granted.

Please note if you meet the mentioned requirements above, you don’t need job offer. Also, if you have applied for bursary, grants or scholarship and you are required to go back to your home country after earning your degree then you can only apply after you have fulfilled those commitments and are able to demonstrate intent to live in Ontario.

Ontario Express Entry Streams:

To be eligible under the Ontario Express Entry Streams which include the French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, Human Capital Priorities Stream and Skilled Trades Stream you must have:

• Received notification of interest
• Up-to-date profile that has your most current work experience, language tests and education in the express entry system

French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream Eligibility:

• Have strong demand of French and English language
• Have the education and work experience
• Have active Express Entry Profile
• Received Notification of Interest prior to applying online to be nominated for permanent residence
• Meet requirements under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Human Capital Priorities Stream Eligibility

• Have the education and work experience

• Have strong demand of French or English language

• Have active Express Entry Profile
• Received Notification of Interest prior to applying online to be nominated for permanent residence
• Meet requirements under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Applicants must demonstrate work experience in one of the eligible NOC codes:
• • 2173 Software engineers and designers
  • 2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers
  • 2147 Computer engineers
  • 2175 Web designers and developers
  • 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
  • 0213 Computer and information systems manager

Skilled Trades Stream Eligibility:

• Have active Express Entry profile
• Received Notification of Interest prior to applying online to be nominated for permanent residence
• Have work experience in Ontario in an eligible trade occupation that is listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Groups 72, 73 or 82 of the NOC
• Minimum of 12 months of full-time paid work experience (or equivalent in part-time) in Ontario. The work experience must have been obtained within the last 2 years from the date of submitting your application to OINP.
• At the time you apply you must have valid Trade Certification or License in Ontario when claiming work experience. This also applies if you are no longer working in the trade
• Minimum CLB 5 in English or French – at the time you apply the test must be no more than two years old
• Currently residing in Ontario with a valid work permit
• Intent to live in Ontario
• Have minimum savings or income

Contact Akrami & Associates

The Ontario Human Capital category is a unique way of bringing skilled workers to Ontario. This route has been very popular under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, especially when job offer is not required. However candidates with job offer do get prioritized for receiving an invitation.

So if you are looking to immigrate to Canada and like to determine your eligibility under the Human Capital Priorities then contact us today at 416-477-2545 for more information.

Akrami & Associates has assisted many clients successfully in obtaining permanent residency through different immigration routes.

Call us today, to see which immigration route will work best in your interest.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!