Ontario’s third In-Demand Skills stream draw was also the largest one so far.
On September 22, Ontario invited 72 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held its third-ever In-Demand Skills stream draw under its new intake system. Ontario’s new Expression of Interest (EOI) system replaces the old first-come-first-served model, and means that interested candidates can register at any time for a chance to receive an invitation from Ontario. In other words, “express their interest” to apply for a provincial nomination under an Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration
In the general draw, 65 candidates were invited. Ontario also held a draw for the Regional Immigration Pilot, where they invited seven candidates. There is no EOI score requirement for this stream.
Invited candidates needed work experience in one of the following occupations, listed by sector in order of their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
Health and agricultural occupations:
- NOC 3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
- NOC 8431 – general farm workers
- NOC 8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers
- NOC 8611 – harvesting labourers
- NOC 9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
Manufacturing (outside the GTA only):
- NOC 9411 – machine operators, mineral and metal processing
- NOC 9416 – metalworking and forging machine operators
- NOC 9417 – machining tool operators
- NOC 9418 – other metal products machine operators
- NOC 9421 – chemical plant machine operators
- NOC 9422 – plastics processing machine operators
- NOC 9437 – woodworking machine operators
- NOC 9446 – industrial sewing machine operators
- NOC 9461 – process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing
- NOC 9523 – electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
- NOC 9526 – mechanical assemblers and inspectors
- NOC 9536 – industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
- NOC 9537 – other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
About the In-Demand Skills Stream
This immigration program focuses more on provincial demand than occupation skill level. Many immigration programs target occupations that the government considers to be “high skilled.” Yet, Ontario still has labour shortages in occupations that are considered to be “low skilled.”
Enter the In-Demand Skills stream. Foreign workers with eligible job offers in Ontario can apply for a nomination with nine months of cumulative work experience in the province within the past three years. Seasonal work experience is not eligible to meet the work requirement. Part-time work may be eligible if the candidate completed the required number of work hours. The number of work hours has to equal either 1,200 hours of paid employment in one job over the course of 18 months. Or, for those who had more than one job, it would mean working for at least 30 hours per week for nine months totalling 1,200 hours.
There are a number of other eligibility requirements. Generally, candidates need a high school education, a language score of at least 4 in all proficiencies, and sufficient settlement funds, among other requirements.
List of in-demand occupations
| NOC Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 3413 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 4412 | Home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers |
| 7441 | Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
| 7511 | Transport truck drivers |
| 7521 | Heavy equipment operators (except crane) |
| 8431 | General farm workers |
| 8432 | Nursery and greenhouse workers |
| 8611 | Harvesting labourers |
| 7611 | Construction trades helpers and labourers |
| 9462 | Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, related workers |
Available only to candidates outside the Greater Toronto Area
| NOC Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 9411 | Machine operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 9416 | Metalworking and forging machine operators |
| 9417 | Machining tool operators |
| 9418 | Other metal products machine operators |
| 9421 | Chemical plant machine operators |
| 9422 | Plastics processing machine operators |
| 9437 | Woodworking machine operators |
| 9446 | Industrial sewing machine operators |
| 9461 | Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing |
| 9523 | Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers |
| 9526 | Mechanical assemblers and inspectors |
| 9536 | Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators |
| 9537 | Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors |
How do you get points for Ontario immigration?
Ontario ranks EOI profiles based on a number of human capital factors that the province has decided will be important in selecting immigrants with the potential to thrive. You get points for the skill level of your job offer as well as your Canadian work experience.
The OINP scoring system is different depending on which stream you apply for. Other than skill level and work experience, it also takes into account your wage, education, official language ability, and the region in which you study or work. The province also allocates 10 points at its discretion to respond to labour market needs.
