Maple News reports that on July 21, Ontario issued 115 targeted invitations to French-speaking candidates in the federal Express Entry pool, continuing its efforts to attract bilingual immigrants through the province’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream.
To be considered for this draw, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 461 and 467. Additionally, they were required to have created their Express Entry profiles on or after July 21, 2020. As this stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, receiving an invitation from Ontario opens the door to a provincial nomination, which significantly boosts candidates’ chances of obtaining permanent residency.
The FSSW stream is part of Ontario’s enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), designed specifically for bilingual individuals who are eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class. Invited individuals must demonstrate strong language proficiency, with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in French and at least 6 in English. Additional requirements include proving sufficient funds to support their settlement in Ontario.
Once candidates receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), they have 45 days to submit a complete application for the provincial nomination. If successful, they will receive an additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw.
This latest draw marks Ontario’s fourth FSSW selection round in 2021, bringing the total number of invitations issued through this stream to 489 so far. The strategy underscores Ontario’s commitment to supporting immigration pathways that reflect the province’s linguistic diversity and economic needs.
The Provincial Nominee Program allows regions like Ontario to respond to local labor market demands by selecting candidates who are most likely to succeed economically. French-speaking immigrants are seen as valuable contributors, particularly in sectors facing labor shortages and communities looking to strengthen their Francophone presence.
Maple News highlights that programs like the FSSW not only support broader immigration goals but also promote cultural and linguistic diversity across Canada. As immigration continues to play a key role in Canada’s recovery and future growth, targeted draws like this are becoming increasingly common.
Foreign nationals who meet these criteria are encouraged to keep their Express Entry profiles updated and monitor provincial nomination opportunities tailored to their skills and language abilities.