Canada Jobs: Ontario sends invitations to foreigners to apply for permanent residency

Canada’s Ontario province recently extended invitations to foreigners to apply for permanent residency. On August 13, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) reached out to candidates from the Expression of Interest system pool, who may qualify for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates in health occupations received invitations if they scored 50 or higher and had a job offer aligned with specific national occupational codes. For those in other priority occupations, an invitation was extended to individuals scoring 54 and above, provided they had a job offer matching one of the national codes.

Applying for Permanent Residency

The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream offers foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation the opportunity to live and work in Ontario permanently. To be eligible, the job offer must fall under TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Importantly, this stream is accessible to foreign workers both within and outside of Canada.

Before applying, candidates must register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and wait for an invitation. After receiving the invitation, candidates can apply online for nomination by the Ontario government for permanent residency. If nominated, the final step involves applying to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the ultimate decision on permanent residency.

FAQ

1. What are the required qualifications for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream?
To qualify, you need a job offer in a skilled occupation that falls under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC, and you must register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and receive an invitation to apply.

2. Are self-employed professionals eligible for the Employer Job Offer streams?
No, self-employed professionals, including physicians, are not eligible under the Employer Job Offer streams. However, they may qualify under the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream through the Federal Skilled Workers Program.

3. What is the next step after receiving a nomination from Ontario?
Once you receive a nomination from Ontario, the next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which will make the final decision on your permanent residency status.

For those applying from within Canada, it’s crucial to maintain legal status, whether it’s a visitor record, study permit, or work permit, throughout the application process until nomination.

Note: Self-employed professionals do not qualify for this stream but may explore options under other OINP streams like the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream.