Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

Ontario's Human Capital Priorities Stream targets foreign skilled workers in the Express Entry pool with the necessary education, work experience, language proficiency, and other characteristics to establish economically 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 Class 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 minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in IRCC's Express Entry system as determined by the director;* and
  • Meet the criteria of Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream (see below).

Candidates identified by the OINP will receive an NOI, which will invite them to apply online to the OINP for nomination under the Human Capital Priorities Stream. From this point, selected candidates have just 45 calendar days to apply to the OINP under this stream. It is important to note that applications submitted outside the 45 calendar days will not be processed. 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.

* There is no set CRS minimum for the Human Capital Priorities Stream. Instead, it can vary from draw to draw. See a complete list of draws and their CRS score range under the Invitation History section of this page.

 

OINP Tech Draws

The OINP uses the Human Capital Priorities Stream to conduct occasional draws for Express Entry candidates who meet the stream's minimum eligibility requirements and have work experience in one of the following six tech-sector occupations.

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

Information on OINP Tech Draw results can also be found under the Invitation History section of this page.

 

This page will provide details on the following topics:

 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible under the Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream, candidates must:

  • 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 0, 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 0, 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 credential is equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD;
  • Demonstrate a language proficiency level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or above in all four competencies (speaking, reading, writing, and listening);
    • Language proficiency must be proved by test results from one of the following designated testing agencies:
      • International English Language Testing (IELTS) (General Training Test only)
      • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) (General Test only) for English testing, and
      • Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada),
      • Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) for French testing.
  • Intend to reside in Ontario, as demonstrated by a statement of intent and indication of ties to Ontario;
  • Have obtained a minimum CRS score under the Express Entry system as determined by the director;
  • Possess sufficient funds to cover settlement costs in Ontario. This must be supported by bank statements; and
  • Meet the additional criteria under either the FSWP or CEC.

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

 

Please note that the requirements for settlement funds are updated annually. The figures above were updated in July 2021.

Requirements for settlement funds are updated annually. Note that the number of family members includes both accompanying and non-accompanying dependents.

 

Human Capital Priorities Application Process

Applicants must have received a NOI from Ontario through their Express Entry profile in order to apply through this 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 stand a far greater chance of submitting a successful application if they become acquainted with the document checklist in advance and prepare accordingly. The required documents for the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream is more extensive than the documents required to enter the federal Express Entry pool.

 

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: OINP identifies candidates in the Express Entry pool.
  • Step 4: Receive a NOI from the OINP.
  • Step 5: Apply to the OINP under the Human Capital Priorities Stream within 45 calendar days after receiving a NOI from Ontario.
  • Step 6: Eligible candidates receive a nomination certificate from the OINP.
  • Step 7: Upload the nomination certificate to the Express Entry profile to receive the 600 additional CRS points and the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool.
  • Step 8: Submit an application for permanent residence within 60 days of receiving the ITA.
  • Step 9: Become a permanent resident of Canada.

 

To learn more about your Canadian immigration options through Express Entry and/or the OINP, as well as other Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment today.

 

Additional Criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Class

In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements listed above, candidates applying to the Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities 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

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 Human Capital Priorities 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: Human Capital Priorities 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 Human Capital Priorities Stream requires ALL applicants to have language level of CLB 7 in English or French regardless of occupation.
  • All applicants must intend to reside in Ontario
  • Be admissible to Canada.

 

Invitation History

Ontario is issuing NOIs on a regular basis to eligible candidates who have the minimum CRS score as determined by the director. The table below reveals details of recent rounds of invitations:

 

Date of announcement Number of invitations issued CRS Score range Date & time of portal search Date Express Entry profile was submitted
April 13, 2021 456 456-467 N/A April 13, 2020 – April 13, 2021
March 2, 2021 754 463-467 N/A March 2, 2020 – March 2, 2021
February 16, 2021 (Tech Draw) 1,186 453-467 N/A February 16, 2020 – February 16, 2021
February 2, 2021 283 466-467 N/A February 2, 2020 - February 2, 2021
December 15, 2020 668 460-468 N/A December 15, 2019-December 15, 2020
October 15, 2020 (Tech Draw) 772 462-470 N/A October 15, 2019 – October 15, 2020
August 26, 2020 (targeted draw - priority occupations) 703 466-475 N/A August 26, 2019, to August 26, 2020
July 29, 2020 (Tech Draw) 1288 463-477 N/A July 29, 2019, to July 29, 2020
May 13, 2020 (Tech Draw) 703 421-451 N/A May 13, 2019, to May 13, 2020
June 3, 2020 (targeted draw - priority occupations) 532 471-500 N/A June 3, 2019, to June 3, 2020
June 3, 2020 (targeted draw - priority occupations) 167 358-439 N/A June 3, 2019, to June 3, 2020
May 13, 2020 (Tech Draw) 703 421-451 N/A May 13, 2019, to May 13, 2020
February 13, 2020 (targeted draw - priority occupations) 486 467-471 N/A February 13, 2019, to February 13, 2020
January 15, 2020 (Tech Draw) 954 460-472 N/A January 15, 2019, to January 15, 2020
August 15, 2019 (targeted draw - priority occupations) 997 439-465 N/A August 15, 2018, to August 15, 2019
August 1, 2019 (Tech Draw) 1,773 435-458 N/A August 1, 2018, to August 1, 2019
July 12, 2019 (Tech Draw) 1,623 439-459 N/A July 12, 2018, to July 12, 2019
May 31, 2019 1,072 439-469 N/A May 31, 2018, to May 31, 2019
January 14, 2019 1,493 439-448 N/A January 14, 2018, to January 14, 2019
November 26, 2018* 185 350-439 November 26, 2018, at 1:13 PM EST January 1, 2018, to November 26, 2018
August 9, 2018* 947 350-439 n/a January 1, 2018, to August 9, 2018
March 28, 2018** 299 351-446 March 26, 2018, at 4 PM EST January 1, 2018, to March 26, 2018
March 28, 2018* 480 351-446 March 26, 2018, at 2 PM EST January 1, 2018, to March 26, 2018
February 27, 2018 511 441-443 February 26, 2018, at 2:00 PM EST January 1, 2018, to February 22, 2018
February 13, 2018 488 435-441 February 12, 2018, at 2:30 PM EST January 1, 2018, to February 8, 2018, at 4PM EST
February 8, 2018 89 433-444 January 25, 2018, at 2:15 PM EST January 1, 2018, to January 25, 2018
January 26, 2018 380 433-444 January 25, 2018, at 2:15 PM EST January 1, 2018, to January 25, 2018
January 23, 2018 340 440-446 January 19, 2018, at 3:00 PM EST January 1, 2018, to January 19, 2018

*Invitations to Express Entry candidates with job offers in Ontario.

**On March 28, the second HCP draw targeted Express Entry candidates who demonstrated French language ability of CLB 7 or above.