Ontario PNP invites Express Entry candidates in new Tech Draw

Ontario held another Tech Draw inviting Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination

Ontario has held a third Tech Draw this year, inviting immigration candidates who had work experience in one of six in-demand occupations.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held its largest draw of the year on July 29. A total of 1,288 invitations went to candidates who may be eligible for the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream. They needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 463 and 477 in order to be invited.

Though candidates did not need a job offer to receive an invitation, they needed at least one year of work experience in one of the following occupations:

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• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
• Computer engineers (NOC 2147)
• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
• Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
• Computer programmer and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
• Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)

They also needed to have a profile in the Express Entry system.

People who received the Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario now have 45 calendar days to submit their application for the provincial nomination.

If they are awarded the nomination from Ontario they will automatically get an additional 600 CRS points toward their overall score. This award will ensure that they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw. This goes for anyone who is nominated under any Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada.

How to get invited for an Ontario Tech Draw

The first step to become eligible for an invitation through the OINP Tech draw is to create a profile in Canada’s Express Entry system.

Express Entry is an application management system for three federal economic-class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Ontario’s Human Capital Priority stream recognizes candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on their education, work experience, age, and language proficiency in English or French.

The OINP Tech Draws pull from the Express Entry pool of candidates, inviting eligible tech workers to apply for a provincial nomination from Ontario.

Once the process is complete, candidates will have the opportunity to settle into their technology careers in Ontario.

“Through this dedicated approach, we’re helping to make it easier for businesses in the technology sector to recruit top talent from around the world,” the OINP said in a media release.