In 2020, Ontario issued a total of 8050 nominations, more than the number of spots allocated for the province this year. Originally, the number of allocated nominations for Ontario was 7600, out of the total of 61000 allocations for all Provincial Nominee Programs of Canada. But later, 400 additional nominations were allocated to the province through an in-year reallocation and 50 more for intermediate skilled occupations or NOC skill level C.
The number of allocations for Ontario in 2021 is not yet known. However, as per the Immigration Levels Plan of Canada, more than 80800 immigrants will be admitted to the country through Provincial Nominee Programs in the year.
The last Ontario draw of the year was held on December 15. In the Tech Draw, 668 Express Entry candidates with work experience in the targeted tech occupations received invitations to apply. Ontario also invited 19 candidates under the OINP Entrepreneur stream too in the same draw.
Ontario to launch EoI system
The Employer Job Offer category of Ontario still works on a first-come, first served basis. It causes many problems for the authorities as well as for the applicants. When the registration window opens, the system is flooded with applications in no time. So the online portal closes within minutes or the system breaks.
Last November, when Ontario opened the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream registration window, it had to be closed soon owing to technical difficulties. Later, OINP informed that 1426 had registered at the time of opening and that they would be contacting those who reported errors while submitting the files.
With an aim to avoid such problems in the future, Ontario has decided to launch an Expression of Interest system in early 2021. Other provinces such as Manitoba and Saskatchewan already have their EoI systems for managing the application intake.
Under the proposed Expression of Interest system, each applicant will be awarded a score based on various factors such as education and language abilities. Candidates with the highest scores will be invited to apply for a provincial nomination. The following immigration categories under the OINP will come under the EoI system:
- Employer Job Offer Category (Foreign Worker; International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams);
- Masters Graduate; and
- D. Graduate.
Under the new system, OINP would be able to hold both general draws and targeted draws.
Do you wish to know more about immigrating to Canada under PNP? Talk to the expert Canada immigration consultants of CanApprove. We offer the best professional support and guidance for making your Canada immigration dream come true.