Maple News reports that on October 7, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited 162 French-speaking candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for a provincial nomination through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream.
To be considered for this invitation round, candidates were required to have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 461 and 467. All selected individuals had active Express Entry profiles and met the eligibility criteria of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
The FSSW stream is a part of Ontario’s enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which works in coordination with the federal Express Entry system. As an enhanced stream, it allows nominated candidates to receive 600 additional CRS points—essentially guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw.
Eligible candidates must demonstrate strong French language proficiency, with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least 7 in French and a minimum CLB of 6 in English. In addition, applicants must show proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any family members during settlement in Ontario.
This October draw marks Ontario’s fourth FSSW round of 2021, raising the total number of invitations issued through this stream to 651 so far this year. Candidates who received invitations now have 45 days to submit a complete online application to the OINP for provincial nomination.
Ontario’s focus on French-speaking immigrants reflects a broader federal effort to strengthen francophone communities outside Quebec. By prioritizing bilingual candidates, the province supports both workforce needs and Canada’s official language goals.
Provincial Nominee Programs like FSSW are becoming increasingly attractive for skilled immigrants, especially those looking to boost their CRS score and improve their chances of obtaining permanent residence. As pathways become more competitive, streams that prioritize language skills and regional demand offer significant advantages to eligible newcomers.