FAQs for the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)

FAQ – Ontario Provincial Nomination Program

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program in Canada and some important information to consider if you are applying under this program for permanent residency in Canada. The Ontario Provincial Nomination Program is an economic immigration program that assists the province of Ontario to meet its labour market needs. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for under this program, I suggest you read our article on “Basics of the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program in Canada.

Q: When applying under the Ontario PNP, am I able to bring my family to immigrate with me?

A: Yes, your family members may immigrate with you to Canada if you are applying under the Ontario PNP. However, these family members must also be eligible to come to Canada to immigrate and must meet the requirements to do so. They may be able to immigrate to Canada once they pass their medical examination and police clearance certificates are submitted to Immigration Canada. It is important to note the specific family members that may be eligible to come with you to Canada to immigrate. Below, the specific family members are listed:

• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children
• A dependent child of your dependent child or their spouse or common-law partner

Q: Once I am nominated to the Ontario PNP, does this guarantee my immigration and permanent residency in Canada, specifically Ontario?

A: Unfortunately, no. Being nominated by the province of Ontario through the Ontario PNP does not guarantee your immigration and permanent residency in Canada, specifically Ontario. The government of Canada, specifically immigration, can still refuse your entry into Canada if you are found to be inadmissible to Canada. For instance, if you have a criminal conviction from your past or if you have financial inadmissibility, you will not be able to gain permanent residency in Canada through the Ontario PNP.

Q: If I am an employer in Ontario, can the province of Ontario provide me with a list of nominees that are seeking Ontario employers?

A: No, the province of Ontario does not provide Ontario employers with any list of prospect employees looking for Ontario employers. Under the Ontario PNP, employers are required and responsible to do recruitment on their own accord. Conclusively, the Ontario PNP does not provide any job matching services.

Q: I am an employer in Ontario and am interested in participating in this program. Am I required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment?

A: If you are an employer in Ontario and would like to apply under the Employer Job Offer Stream through the Ontario PNP, you are not required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Q: Can I apply for the Ontario PNP if I reside outside of Canada? Will this affect my chances?

A: If you are living outside of Canada and would like to apply for the Ontario PNP, you can do so. It will not affect your chances for approval. You must ensure, however, that you have a valid job offer from an employer in Ontario.

Q: If I am currently residing in Ontario, what should my status be in Canada for me to be eligible to apply for the Ontario PNP?

A: If you are currently residing in Ontario and would like to apply for the Ontario PNP, you must have authorized status in Canada in order to be eligible. Prospect candidates for this program must have either a:

• Valid work permit, or
• Valid temporary resident visa, or
• Valid study permit, or
• Valid passport from a visa-exempt country showing their entry date to Canada

Q: Are refugee claimants eligible to apply to the Ontario PNP?

A: Yes, refugee claimants are eligible to apply to the Ontario PNP. However, they must be refugee claimants who have a failed claim or have withdrawn their claim and must be outside of Canada at the time of applying. It is important to note that refugee claimants that have pending applications to stay within Canada are, unfortunately, not eligible to apply to the Ontario PNP.

Q: What should be included within the valid job offer for the Ontario PNP?

A: The valid job offer must be from an employer in Ontario and must include the following:

• Must be on a company letterhead with their contact information, such as address, telephone, etc;
• Must identify the responsible Supervisor and include their signature;
• Must be stamped with the company’s corporate seal, if applicable; and,
• Must include: occupation title; wage for full-time, permanent position; duties and responsibilities; number of hours worked a week and number of weeks worked per year; number of vacation days; location of workplace; and the employment start date.

Contact Akrami & Associates

Should you have any further questions or feel confused or unclear about how to apply for the Ontario PNP, it is important to talk about any questions you may have and discuss your concerns. By talking to immigration professionals about your concerns, this will ease your worries and assist with the application process. Many immigration applications are difficult to pursue on your own and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients obtain permanent residency through the Ontario Provincial Nomination Program. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!