Ontario has invited French-speaking and skilled trades candidates with profiles in the Express Entry system.

Ontario issued invitations to Express Entry candidates who may qualify for two provincial immigration streams that target French-speakers, and skilled trades workers.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued the invitations on November 4. These invitations, also known as Notifications of Interest, or NOIs, went to candidates in the French-Speaking Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades streams.

These two enhanced Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are aligned with the Express Entry system. The people who were invited in today’s draw will get an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points towards their overall score if they receive the provincial nomination.

This award would effectively guarantee that they would be given an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

Express Entry is an application management system for three federal immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

Candidates are ranked on human capital factors that the government has determined would help them thrive in the Canadian labour market such as age, work experience, education, and English or French language proficiency.

Invited candidates will be contacted by the OINP. They will have 45 days to apply online for their provincial nomination. Applications can be done online, and it can either be done by the applicant or by a representative. The application form takes about three hours to fill out but it is not required to be completed in one session. The cost to apply is $1,500 CAD payable by credit card. The OINP accepts Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, and Mastercard debit.

About the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream

This PNP is tailored for Express Entry candidates who speak English and French. They need to meet the eligibility requirements of the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Each of these federal programs has its own requirements for work experience and education.

Candidates also need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least seven in French, and at least a six in English, among other eligibility requirements.

About the Skilled Trades stream

Skilled trades workers need at least one year of cumulative paid full-time work experience, or equivalent part-time experience, in Ontario. The eligible skilled trades must be listed in Minor Group 633, or Major Groups 72, 73, or 82 of the National Occupation Classification.

Work experience must have been done in Ontario within the last two years from the application submission date. The work experience must also be in at least one of the occupations identified in the Express Entry profile.

These candidates must also have a valid certificate or license if they are claiming work experience in a trade that requires certification. Candidates need a CLB of at least five in either English or French, among other eligibility requirements.