Maple News reports that on May 4, Ontario invited 102 French-speaking candidates through its Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream. These individuals are now eligible to apply for a provincial nomination, potentially accelerating their path to Canadian permanent residency.
To qualify for this invitation round, candidates needed to have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 458 and 467. Additionally, their profiles must have been created between May 4, 2020, and May 4, 2021.
The FSSW stream is one of Ontario’s enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways, aligned with the federal Express Entry system. It targets skilled workers who are proficient in both French and English and who are interested in settling in Ontario. Candidates invited through this stream maintain their status in the Express Entry pool and receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Invited applicants will be contacted directly by the OINP and are required to submit their complete application for nomination within 45 days. If nominated, they will receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in a future federal Express Entry draw.
This was the third FSSW draw of 2021, bringing the total number of NOIs issued through the stream to 374 for the year. Prior draws were conducted on January 13 and March 3, reasserting Ontario’s commitment to attracting bilingual talent.
While receiving an NOI is a critical first step, it does not guarantee a nomination. Candidates must still meet the eligibility requirements of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class, depending on which program the OINP uses to assess their application.
Additional eligibility requirements include demonstrating a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in French and 6 in English. Candidates must also show that they have sufficient settlement funds and an intent to reside in Ontario. Other selection factors include education, work experience, and adaptability.
Ontario’s focus on bilingual immigration aligns with Canada’s broader strategy to enhance Francophone immigration outside of Quebec, strengthening linguistic diversity and addressing labor market needs.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and provide timely information for aspiring newcomers.