Ontario French speaking skilled worker stream: Explained

To be eligible to apply for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) as a French speaking skilled worker, you must meet the following requirements.

1. 1. A valid Express Entry profile

The French Speaking skilled worker stream is managed through the Express Entry system. Therefore, you must have an active and valid Express Entry profile with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC). Additionally, you must also choose Ontario as your choice of Canadian province to settle in while creating your profile.

1. 1. Notification of Interest

Along with a valid Express Entry profile, you must also receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario Immigrant Nomination Program (OINP) in your IRCC Express Entry account. You can only apply to the French-Speaking skilled workers stream once you receive a Notification of Interest.

1. 1. Be eligible for Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class.

You must either be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker pathway, or Canadian Experience Class of the Express Entry system. You cannot apply to the OINP French Speaking Skilled Worker stream if you belong to the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

1. 1. Academic proficiency

You must have completed your graduation, master’s or doctoral degree from Canada or equivalent degrees from foreign countries. If you have a foreign education, you must submit your ECA or Educational Credential Assessment report. Your ECA report must not be older than 5 years. You will also need to authorize the ECA organization to give access to your report to the OINP.

1. 1. Language proficiency.

Since this Ontario stream is exclusively for French speaking skilled workers, being able to speak, listen, read and write in French is mandatory to be eligible. You must score at least Canadian Language Benchmark or CLB 7 in French. OINP accepts TCF or  Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada, and TEF or Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada for French proficiency.

Along with your proficiency in French, you must also have CLB 6 in English. OINP accepts IELTS and CELPIP-G for English Proficiency tests. Your test results must not be older than 2 years.

1. 1. Settlement Funds

OINP facilitates the immigration of skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs so that they can settle in the province and contribute economically, socially and culturally to it. Therefore, to be eligible to immigrate to Ontario as a french speaking skilled worker, you must be financially stable and secure to support yourself and your family (if they are accompanying you) after arriving in Ontario. The minimum settlement fund mandatory for a single applicant is $13310. This mandatory settlement fund requirement increases by $3586. You do not require settlement funds if you belong to the Canadian Experience Class, you will be exempt from it.

1. 1. Intention to settle in Ontario

You must demonstrate your plans to settle in Ontario permanently and contribute to its economy. You can show your interest of settling in Ontario through the following:

1. 1. • Proof of renting and leasing property in Ontario
      • Apply for job-offers and appearing for interviews in the province
      • Have a professional and social circle in the province
      • Studying or working in Ontario
      • Frequently visiting the province, etc.
   2. Have a legal Canadian status

If you are applying to the OINP Express Entry pathway as a French speaking skilled worker from Canada, you must have a valid study permit or work permit. If your permit has expired, you will still qualify if you have applied to IRCC for the extension or renewal of your work or study permit.