Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted a new Tech Draw on October 15, inviting 772 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. This draw is part of Ontario’s ongoing effort to attract skilled tech professionals who have the potential to contribute to the province’s thriving innovation economy.
The invitations were issued through Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream, which targets candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool. To be eligible, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 462 and 470, and at least one year of work experience in a qualifying tech occupation. A job offer was not required.
The six National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes targeted in this round reflect in-demand technology roles, including computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213), computer engineers (NOC 2147), database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172), software engineers and designers (NOC 2173), computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174), and web designers and developers (NOC 2175).
Candidates who received a Notification of Interest (NOI) now have 45 days to submit their application for nomination by Ontario. If nominated, they gain an additional 600 CRS points—essentially guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a future federal Express Entry draw.
This marks Ontario’s fourth Tech Draw in 2020. The largest took place on July 29, when 1,288 candidates were invited. These draws underscore Ontario’s commitment to attracting innovative professionals who can help support the province’s growing tech sector, which is particularly active in major hubs such as Toronto, Ottawa, and the Kitchener-Waterloo corridor.
To be considered for a future Tech Draw, candidates must first create a profile in the Express Entry system, Canada’s management platform for its three primary economic-class immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream focuses on candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class.
As Canada and its provinces continue to modernize their immigration strategies, targeted draws such as this Tech Draw represent strategic efforts to bridge labor market gaps and meet long-term economic development goals. Maple News will continue to follow updates on Ontario’s Tech Draws and other related immigration developments.