Skilled Worker in PEI (Labour Impact category)

The Express Entry French-speaking Skilled Worker Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows French-speaking skilled workers with strong English language abilities to apply for provincial nomination. To be eligible to apply for provincial nomination under this stream, the candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario.

OINP searches the federal Express Entry pool in order to select candidates under the stream. Upon finding an eligible candidate, they send a Notification of Interest (NOI) to them inviting them to apply for provincial nomination from Ontario. The candidate can submit the application for provincial nomination, along with the supporting documents, to the OINP within 45 days. If OINP accepts the application, they send a Nomination Approval Letter and an OINP Certificate of Nomination to the candidate. Upon accepting the nomination, the candidate will obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System score points that guarantee them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

Requirements for candidates

The candidates must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for provincial nomination under the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream of Ontario.

1. Work Experience

Before submitting the application, the candidate must first decide which of the following federal economic immigration programs they like to be assessed against:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Federal Skilled Worker Program

If the candidate chooses to be assessed against the criteria for Federal Skilled Worker Program, they must have minimum one year of continuous paid full-time work experience or equivalent paid part- time work experience in an occupation classified under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The candidate must have obtained the work experience within the last five years from the date of submitting the application. The work experience must also be in the same primary occupation identified in their Express Entry profile. The work experience can be obtained from either inside or outside Canada.

Canadian Experience Class

If the candidate wants to be assessed under the Canadian Experience Class, they must have minimum one year of cumulative paid full-time work experience or equivalent part-time experience in Canada in an occupation classified under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC. The candidate must have acquired the work experience within the three years before submitting the application. The experience must be in one or more of the occupations identified in the Express Entry profile of the candidate. Also, the candidate must be legally residing in Canada at the time of submitting the application.

2. Education

The candidate must possess a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree or equivalent qualification obtained from another country. If the candidate has acquired the qualification from outside Canada, they must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment to prove that this qualification is equal to a Canadian degree. The assessment must be done by one of the organizations designated for the same by IRCC.

3. Language

The candidate must have proficiency in French at a level equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher. They must also have English proficiency equal to CLB level 6 or higher. The proficiency in both these languages must be proved with the results of an approved French and English language test. The candidate must have taken the test within two years before submitting the application.

Approved tests for French

• Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Approved tests for English

• International English Language Testing (IELTS)-General
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – General

4. Settlement funds

The candidate must have enough financial capacity to support themselves and their dependent family members to settle in Canada. As a proof, they can submit any one or a combination of the following:

• Bank statements or statements of accounts showing other investments such as non-locked in, fixed term deposits, mutual funds, etc.
• Annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario
• Job offer in Ontario

5. Intention to settle in Ontario

The candidate must demonstrate their intention to settle in Ontario once they obtain permanent residence in Canada. The OINP officials determine this intention by examining the ties of the candidate to the province that include:

• Earlier work experience or current employment in Ontario
• A job offer from an Ontario employer or applying or interviewing for jobs in the province
• Educational experience in the province
• Volunteering experience in the province
• Leasing or owning property in the province
• Visiting in the province
• Having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships

6. Legal status

The candidate must be legally residing in Canada if they are applying from inside the country. As a proof, they can submit a visitor record, study permit or work permit. They also need to maintain the legal status until they receive the nomination.

7. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

If the candidate chooses to be assessed against the FSWP, they must score at least 67 points out 100 on the points assessment grid for this stream. The candidate is assessed on the basis of six selection factors which are education, language skills, work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada and adaptability.

Provincial Nominee Programs open up vast opportunities for qualified immigrants to start a new life in Canada. Choose the right immigration pathway for you with the help of experienced immigration lawyers and consultants to ensure maximum success for your immigration application. Contact us for more information