Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

This stream targets French-Speaking skilled workers with strong English language abilities looking to establish themselves and settle in the province of Ontario.

To be considered under this stream, candidates must qualify for the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) federal Express Entry pool through either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates may not apply directly to this stream. Instead, they must first receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the OINP based on their Express Entry profile.

The OINP searches the Express Entry pool and identifies potential candidates who meet the criteria of Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (see below).

Candidates identified by the OINP will receive an NOI, which will invite them to apply to the OINP for nomination under the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream. From this point, selected candidates have 45 days to apply to the OINP under this stream. If their application is approved, candidates will be notified of their nomination by the OINP, which they can accept and use to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

This page will provide details on the following topics:

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible under the Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, candidates must:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for one of the Canada's Federal High Skilled programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
    • Candidates applying through the FSWP must meet the pass mark of 67 points based on IRCC's Federal Skilled Worker selection factors: language skills, education, work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada, and adaptability.
  • Meet the stream's work experience requirements;
  • Demonstrate sufficient language ability in all four components (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) in both French and English;
    • These levels are Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in French and CLB 6 in English.
    • Language test results must come from one of the following designated testing agencies:
      • IELTS (General Training Test only) for English;
      • CELPIP (General test only) for English; or
      • TEF for French;
  • Have a minimum level of work experience;
    • Candidates who choose to be assessed against the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) criteria must have at least one year of continuous and full-time employment experience, or part-time equivalent, in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) level O, A, or B occupation in the five years prior to the date of the NOI from the OINP.
    • Candidates who choose to be assessed against the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) criteria must have at least one year of cumulative and full-time employment experience, or part-time equivalent, in a NOC O, A, or B occupation in Canada in the three years prior to the date of the NOI from the OINP.
  • Have a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree OR an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report produced by a designated organization indicating that their foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree;
  • Intend to reside in Ontario, as demonstrated by a statement of intent and indication of ties to Ontario; and
  • Hold legal status in Canada (and maintain it until the time of nomination) if they are residing in Canada at the time of applying; and
  • Possess sufficient funds to cover settlement costs in Ontario. This must be supported by bank statements. This requirement can be met by one or a combination of factors listed by the OINP, such as bank statements, annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario, and/or a job offer in Ontario.

The required settlement funds must be equal to or greater than the sums listed below for each family size.

 

Number of family members Funds required (CAD)
1 $13,213
2 $16,449
3 $20,222
4 $24,553
5 $27,847
6 $31,407
7 $34,967
For each additional family member $3,560

 

Requirements for settlement funds are updated annually.

 

Additional Criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements listed above, candidates applying to the Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream through the FSWP must score at least 67 out of 100 points based on the IRCC's six selection factors: English and/or French skills, education, work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada, and adaptability.

Candidates should note that the OINP will only consider arranged employment in Ontario. Arranged employment in any province other than Ontario would contradict the candidate's statement of intent to reside in Ontario and result in a denial of the application to the OINP.

 

Selection Factors

Selection Factor Points
English and/or French skills Maximum 28 points
Education Maximum 25 points
Work experience Maximum 15 points
Age Maximum 12 points
Arranged employment in Canada Maximum 10 points
Adaptability Maximum 10 points
Total Maximum 100 points
Pass Mark 67 points

 

Factor 1: English and/or French Skills

Factor 1: English and/or French Skills

CLB level Points
Speaking Listening Reading Writing
CLB level 9 or higher 6 6 6 6
CLB level 8 5 5 5 5
CLB level 7 4 4 4 4
Below CLB level 7 Not eligible to apply

 

Factor 2: Education

 

Education Points
University-level credential at the Doctoral (PhD) level, or equivalent 25
University-level credential at the Master’s level, or equivalent, OR an entry-to-practice professional degree, or equivalent

Occupation related to the degree must be:

  • NOC 2011 Skill Level A, and
  • Licensed by a provincial regulatory body
23
Two or more Canadian post-secondary credentials (at least one must be for a program of at least three years), or equivalent 22
Canadian post-secondary credential for a program of three years or longer, or equivalent 21
Two-year Canadian post-secondary credential, or equivalent 19
One-year Canadian post-secondary credential, or equivalent 15
Canadian high school diploma, or equivalent 5

 

Factor 3: Work Experience

 

Experience Points
Less than 1 year Ineligible
1 year 9
2-3 years 11
4-5 years 13
6 or more years 15

 

Factor 4: Age

 

Age Points
Under 18 years 0
18-35 years 12
36 years 11
37 years 10
38 years 9
39 years 8
40 years 7
41 years 6
42 years 5
43 years 4
44 years 3
45 years 2
46 years 1
47  years and older 0

 

Factor 5: Arranged Employment in Canada

 

Note: For the purposes of application to the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, OINP will only consider arranged employment in Ontario.

 

If And Points
You currently work in Canada on a temporary work permit. Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued),

AND

IRCC issued your work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Service Canada. Your employer would have applied for the LMIA, which you then had to attach to your application,

AND

You are working for an employer named on your work permit who has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

10
You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement under:

  • An international agreement (such as, the North America Free Trade Agreement), or
  • A federal-provincial agreement.
Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a permit when your visa is issued),

AND

Your current employer has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

 10
You currently do not:

  • Have a work permit, or
  • Plan to work in Canada before you get a permanent resident visa,

OR

You are currently working in Canada and a different employer has offered to give you a permanent full-time job,

OR

You are currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but not under an international or federal-provincial agreement,

An employer has made you a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker,

AND

The employer has a positive LMIA from Service Canada.

 10

 

Factor 6: Adaptability

 

Adaptability Points
Arranged employment (principal applicant only)

Points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment.

5
Candidate's previous study in Canada

The candidate completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada.

Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week. Candidates must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Canada.

5
Spouse or common-law partner’s previous study in Canada

The candidate's spouse or common-law partner completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada.

Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and the spouse or common-law partner must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Canada.

5
Candidate's previous work in Canada

The candidate completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Canada:

  • In an occupation in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of NOC; and
  • With a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.
10
Spouse or common-law partner’s previous work in Canada

The candidate's spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Canada.

5
Relatives in Canada

The candidate or, if applicable, his/her spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Canada and is 18 years or older. Acceptable forms of relatives include:

  • parent
  • grandparent
  • brother/sister
  • aunt/uncle
  • niece/nephew
5
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency

The candidate's spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency in either English or French is at the CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

5

 

Additional Criteria for the Canadian Experience Class

In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements listed above, candidates applying to the Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream through the CEC must:

  • Have at least 12 months of full-time, or part-time equivalent, cumulative paid work experience in Canada in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the three years prior to applying;
  • Meet the minimum language level of CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs OR CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
    • Note: The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream requires ALL applicants to have language level of CLB 7 in French and CLB 6 in English regardless of occupation.
  • Plan to live outside the province of Quebec; and
    • Note: planning to live outside of Ontario can be deemed to contradict the candidate's statement of intent to reside in Ontario. This can result in the refusal of his or her application to the OINP.
  • Be admissible to Canada.

 

Work Experience Requirements

 

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Candidates who choose to be assessed against the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) criteria must:

  • Have at least one year of continuous, full-time employment experience, or part-time equivalent, in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Type/ Level 0, A, or B occupation in the five years prior to the date of the NOI from the OINP;
    • Full-time work consists of at least 30 hours of work over a period of one week in one job and consists of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in one year.
      • Note: Work experience that amounts to 1,560 hours but is obtained in less than a year or as volunteer work does not qualify or count as valid work experience.
    • Continuous work means there are no gaps between periods of employment. Work experience may consist of back-to-back jobs with the same or different employer(s) (with no gap in between), but at least one year must be in the same National Occupational Classification (NOC) occupation as the primary NOC declared in the Express Entry profile.
    • Part-time equivalent work means
      • at minimum 15 hours of work over a period of one week in one job and consists of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in two years; and
      • at least 30 hours of work over a period of one week in multiple concurrent jobs and consists of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in one year.
    • Activities performed in the job must match the activities described in the lead statement for the occupation and the main duties outlined in the NOC.

 

Self-Employment

Candidates assessed under the FSWP may claim work experience obtained while self-employed to meet the minimum work experience requirement. Self-employment experience must have been paid, full-time (or the equivalent in part-time), and in Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC.

Note: The OINP will require documentation that is independently verifiable through third parties as proof of self-employment, as well as evidence of ongoing payments for the services provided (e.g. invoices). Hours of employed work must be quantifiable to prove that the candidate accumulated at least 1,560 hours over one year of employment. The OINP will not accept reference letters written for candidates by the candidates' themselves, their business partners and/or family members.

 

Canadian Experience Class

Candidates who choose to be assessed against the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) criteria must:

  • Have at least one year of cumulative, full-time employment experience, or part-time equivalent, in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation in Canada in the three years prior to the date of the NOI from the OINP;
    • Full-time work consists of at least 30 hours of work over a period of one week in one job and consists of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in one year. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count as valid work.
    • Cumulative means that the work experience must be equal to one year. There can be gaps in employment and work experience does not have to be continuous (back-to-back).
    • Part-time equivalent work means
      • at minimum 15 hours of work over a period of one week in one job and consists of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in two years; and
      • at least 30 hours of work over a period of one week in multiple concurrent jobs and consists of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in one year.
    • Candidates must have held legal status while working in Canada.
    • Paid work experience obtained while studying full-time at a post-secondary institution (i.e. co-op work term) or during periods of self-employment are not eligible when assessed under the CEC.

 

French-Speaking Skilled Worker Application Process

Foreign nationals must have a valid Express Entry profile and a NOI letter in order to apply for this OINP Express Entry-aligned stream. The OINP searches the Express Entry pool and identifies potential candidates who may meet the eligibility criteria of the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.

A NOI is valid for 45 calendar days, which means that an application to the OINP must be submitted within 45 days.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool who have been issued a NOI are advised to become familiar with the program's criteria and document checklists in advance in order to be prepared to submit an application for the stream under which they qualify.

 

Process Overview

  • Step 1: Satisfy eligibility criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Class or the Canadian Experience Class.
  • Step 2: Create an Express Entry profile.
  • Step 3: The OINP searches the pool and identifies candidates in the Express Entry pool.
  • Step 4: Receive a NOI letter from the OINP.
  • Step 5: Apply to the OINP under the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream within 45 calendar days after receiving the NOI from Ontario.
  • Step 6: If nominated, candidates obtain a Nomination Approval Letter and an OINP Certificate of Nomination by email. Candidates have 30 calendar days to accept the nomination in the Express Entry system.
  • Step 7: If a nomination is accepted, Express Entry candidates are awarded an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a future draw from the pool.
  • Step 8: Submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC within 60 days of receiving the ITA.