Step-by-Step Guide to Ontario Express Entry Pathways

Ontario Express Entry simplified in easy steps

Ontario Express Entry includes three pathways : Human Capital Priorities stream, Skilled Trades Stream, and French-Speaking Skilled Workers. These three pathways of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) are managed by the Express Entry system. To apply through any of the Ontario Express Entry streams, you must have an active and valid Express Entry profile.

OINP Express Entry Pathways Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria of the different OINP Express Entry pathways are provided below.

CriteriaHuman Capital Priority StreamSkilled Trades StreamFrench-Speaking Skilled Workers
Express Entry profileRequiredRequiredRequired
Language proficiencyCLB 7 or above in any testAt Least CLB 5 in any testCLB 7 or above in FrenchCLB 6 or above in English
Express Entry Program EligibilityCEC or FSWPCEC onlyCEC or FSWP
Educationa. Graduation, Masters, or PhDb. For nurses: must be registered by the CNO and primary NOC must be one of the approved onesa. Graduation, Masters, or PhDb. For nurses: must be registered by the CNO and primary NOC must be one of the approved ones
Work Experience1-year in TEER 0,1,2 &31-year in a skilled trade1-year in TEER 0,1,2 & 3
Job OfferNot requiredNot requiredNot required

How to Apply to OINP Express Entry?

Below is the step by step process of applying to Ontario Express Entry pathways.

Step1

Create your Express Entry profile through the GCKey or Sign-in Partners

Step 2

Select Ontario as your choice of Canadian province you want to immigrate to.

Step 3

Be eligible for one of the Express Entry pathways. Express Entry offers three pathways: FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. While creating your profile, you will be assigned an Express Entry program. You can only apply for the Ontario Express Entry stream if you belong to the FSWP or CEC program. You cannot apply if you belong to the FSTP stream. 

Step 4

Get a CRS score by the Comprehensive Ranking System. When you create your profile in the Express Entry system, you provide information about your age, education, language proficiency, academic qualifications, NOC code of primary occupation, foreign and Canadian work experience, etc. This information is assessed by the Comprehensive Ranking System that assigns you a CRS score.

Step 5

Receive a Notification of Interest by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Depending upon its labour market requirements, the OINP issues NOIs to the most suitable Express Entry profiles. 

Step 6

Apply to the Ontario Express Entry pathway. Once you receive the Notification of Interest, you must apply to the OINP Express Entry stream you are eligible for within 45 days. 

Step 7

Get Provincial Nomination by the OINP. Once your OINP application is approved and accepted, you will receive a provincial nomination certification, and nomination approval letter via email. The OINP will also send a notification of nomination to your IRCC Express Entry account. 

Step 8

Accept your provincial nomination. Once you receive a notification of nomination in your IRCC account, you must accept it within 30 days.

Step 9

Get 600 additional CRS points to your Express Entry profile. Once you accept the provincial nomination, you will receive 600 additional points on account of the nomination. These 600 points almost guarantee an ITA or Invitation to Apply in the Express Entry draws.

Step 10

Get an ITA or Invitation to Apply in the Express Entry draws or rounds of Invitation. Express Entry draws are held approximately twice a month. ITAs are issued to the applicants with a CRS score equal to or greater than the CRS cut-off.

Step 11

Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canada PR through the Express Entry system within 60 days of getting the ITA.

Step 12

Once your PR application is assessed and approved by the IRCC, you will receive your COPR or Confirmation of Permanent Residence. You can then immigrate to Canada as a Permanent Resident. 

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Niyati Chaurasia

Niyati Chaurasia

Niyati’s specialty lies in Canadian immigration matters along with crafting helpful, user-oriented content.

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