Submit an Expression of Interest to immigrate to Ontario
Take the first step to immigrate to Ontario through the Ontario PNP by registering an Expression of Interest
Ontario now uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to manage applications through some of its immigration streams. This means that you have to register an expression of interest to let Ontario know that you want to be invited to apply to get nominated.
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Table of Contents
- Overview of Ontario's EOI system
- How Do I Register an EOI for the Ontario PNP?
- What Happens After I Register an EOI for the Ontario PNP?
- EOI Scoring Factors
Overview of Ontario's EOI System
The Ontario PNP, officially the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the following streams:
Employer Job Offer Category
Human Capital Category
This means that if you are interested in immigrating under any one of these streams, you must first register an Expression of Interest (EOI).
When you register, you will provide the OINP with information about you such as your education, language ability, Canadian and foreign work experience, earnings history, as well as where you intend to settle in Ontario, and whether you have a job offer in Ontario.
Based on this information, you are given a rank score. Ontario will regularly invite the highest scoring candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
How Do I Register an EOI for the Ontario PNP?
Step 1: Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Step 2: Make sure that you are eligible by reading the applicant requirements for the stream you’re interested in.
Step 3: Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for one or more streams.
You must also meet the OINP's Attestation Requirements. An Attestation Form should be signed on the date that you submit or update your EOI. This should be done before receiving an invitation to apply.
You can only register your EOI for one stream at a time. It is free to register an EOI. If you get an invitation to apply, you will have to pay the application fee. These fees depend on the stream you are applying for.
Once you create your EOI profile, you can come back and update your information as long as you don’t receive an invitation to apply and your EOI is not deleted.
Your EOI is valid for 12 months, or until you get an invitation to apply or withdraw your registration. If you are still interested in applying after 12 months, you will have to register a new EOI.
What Happens After I Register an EOI for the Ontario PNP
When you submit your Expression of Interest, you will be put in OINP stream selection pools. Every now and then, Ontario will invite the highest-ranking candidates in a pool to apply for a provincial nomination. The province will either rank all the candidates who registered an expression of interest, or will rank candidates who have specific attributes.
If you are successful, you will receive an invitation to apply through the OINP e-Filing Portal. After that, you can apply for a provincial nomination.
It is worth noting that getting an invitation to apply does not guarantee that you will be nominated. You must now show that you meet all the criteria for the stream that you are applying for. This includes the qualifications that you claimed when you first registered your interest.
Note that if you provided false, inaccurate or misleading information on your Expression of Interest, your application will be refused.
How Do I Apply if I Get an Invitation?
If you receive an invitation to apply, you must do so within 14 calendar days. Follow the three steps below to apply.
Step 1: Visit this webpage to visit the OINP e-Filing Portal;
Step 2: Log in to your account as a returning user;
Step 3: Click on the file number link on the from the My Applications page to begin your application.
When you are applying, make sure you are ready to scan and upload your supporting documents, and be prepared to make a payment. Note that you can complete your application at a later time.
After submitting your application, you can check on the status of your application on the OINP e-Filing Portal.
If you receive a nomination, you will then be able to apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), who make the final decision.
EOI Scoring Factors
Ontario uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) to award you with points for your job offer and your work experience.
Section 1 – Job Offer
You are awarded points depending on your NOC Skill Level, NOC Type and your wage. These are not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.
NOC skill level
- NOC Skill Level A – 10 points
- NOC Skill Level B – 8 points
- NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
- NOC Skill Level D – 0 points
NOC type
- NOC Type 0,1,2,3,9 – 10 points
- NOC Type 4,5,6,7,8 – 5 points
Wage
- $40 per hour or higher – 10 points
- $20 to $39.99 per hour – 5 points
- Less than $20 per hour – 0 points
Section 2 – Canadian Work Experience
You are awarded points for the cumulative duration of your Canadian work experience, your NOC skill level of your Canadian work experience as well as your earnings history.
Cumulative duration
- 12 Months or more – 4 points
- Less than 12 months – 0 points
NOC Skill Level
- NOC Skill Level A – 3 points
- NOC Skill Level B – 0 points
- NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
- NOC Skill Level D – 0 points
Earnings history
- $40k or more earnings in a year – 3 points
- Less than $40k earnings in a year – 0 points
Section 3 – Education
Highest level of education
This section does not apply to the International Student stream.
- PhD – 10 points
- Masters – 8 points
- Bachelors or equivalent – 6 points
- College diploma or trade certificate – 5 points
- Less than college or trade certificate – 0 points
Field of study
This section does not apply to the Foreign Worker stream or the In-Demand Skills stream.
- Engineering – 10 points
- Health care – 10 points
- Math and Computer Science – 9 points
- Business and Administration – 7 points
- Trades – 7 points
- Social, Legal, Education and Science – 6 points
- Arts and Humanities – 5 points
Canadian education experience
This section does not apply to the Foreign Worker stream or the In-Demand Skills stream.
- More than one Canadian credential – 10 points
- One Canadian credential – 5 points
Section 4 – Language
You are awarded points depending on your language ability and knowledge. This section does not apply to the Foreign Worker stream or the In-Demand Skills stream.
Official language ability
- CLB 9 or higher – 10 points
- CLB 8 – 6 points
- CLB 7 – 4 points
- CLB 6 or lower – 0 points
Knowledge of official languages
- 2 Official Languages – 10 points
- 1 Official Language – 5 points
Section 5 – Regional Immigration
Location of job Offer
(Not applied to Masters or PhD streams.)
- Outside GTA – 10 points
- Inside GTA – 6 points
Location of study
(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)
- Outside GTA – 10 points
- Inside GTA – 6 points
Section 6 – Strategic priorities
Ontario can award an additional 10 points to address provincial labour market needs. It is determined by the OINP on the Invitation to Apply webpage.