Maple News reports that on February 2, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to 283 Express Entry candidates, encouraging them to apply for a provincial nomination under the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream. Candidates selected in this latest draw held Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores ranging between 466 and 467.
The OINP’s Human Capital Priorities stream is a key pathway for skilled foreign workers looking to settle permanently in Ontario. It functions in tandem with Canada’s federal Express Entry system, linking provincial labour market needs to high-scoring international talent. A provincial nomination awards candidates an additional 600 CRS points, effectively increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in an upcoming federal Express Entry draw.
In this targeted draw, Ontario focused on candidates with at least one year of experience in high-demand occupations across finance, healthcare, business, and marketing sectors. The ten National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes identified include roles such as financial auditors (NOC 1111), human resources professionals (NOC 1121), and registered nurses (NOC 3012), among others.
This draw reflects Ontario’s continued effort to address skill shortages by tapping into the Express Entry pool for top-tier, experienced professionals. The province’s focus on specialized managerial and analytical roles also signals a strategic alignment with Ontario’s economic and industry needs.
Express Entry remains Canada’s leading immigration management system for three federal immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are ranked based on human capital factors including age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
In 2020 alone, Ontario issued 6,716 nominations under the Human Capital Priorities stream, making it the most active Express Entry-linked stream in the province’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This trend continues into 2021, reinforcing Ontario’s role as a top destination for skilled immigrants.
With the additional 600 points from a provincial nomination, these newly invited candidates are in a strong position to receive a federal ITA in the near future, accelerating their pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
Maple News will continue to monitor provincial draws and provide timely updates on changes to immigration strategies and opportunities across Canada.