Ontario selects Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 351

Eman Katem, Noah Turner
Published: March 28, 2018

The province of Ontario announced two new invitation rounds where Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores as low as 351 were issued an invitation.

On March 26, candidates in Canada’s Express Entry pool were selected by Ontario and invited to apply for a nomination through its Human Capital Priorities Stream, or HCP.

A nomination through Ontario’s Human Capital Priority stream results in an Express Entry candidate obtaining 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, points and an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence during a future draw from the Express Entry pool.

The two draws conducted on March 26 were unique because Ontario issued “Targeted Notifications of Interest” to candidates who met the HCP stream criteria and who either had a job offer in Ontario or French language skills of CLB 7 or above.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, fill out a FREE assessment form today.

In the first draw, 480 candidates who met the Human Capital Priorities Stream criteria and who had a job offer in Ontario and a CRS score between 351 and 446  were selected. In a subsequent draw, an additional 299 candidates who met the stream's criteria and demonstrated French language CLB of 7 as well as a CRS score between 351 and 446.

For both draws, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles between January 1, 2018, to March 26, 2018.

The HCP typically requires candidates to have a CRS score of 400 or above, although it has on occasion selected targeted candidates who had scores below. For example, Ontario issued NOIs to candidates with work experience in select ICT occupations with CRS scores less than 400 points.

In its announcement, the Government of Ontario explained that the two rounds of invitations were conducted to help Ontario "meet its labour market and economic development priorities, as well as to be more responsive to employer needs."

In targeting Express Entry candidates with French language abilities, Ontario aims to reach its goal of five per cent Francophone immigration under the Ontario Immigration Strategy.

OINP data show that a total of 2,587 NOIs were issued in 2018 for the HCP stream, to date.

These were the first HCP draws this year to only target candidates with job offers and French language ability. The four draws conducted in 2018 targeted candidates eligible for the HCP, with no restrictions with regard to a job offer or French language proficiency.

In addition to this HCP draw, French-speaking candidates may also be selected by Ontario through the French-Speaking Skilled Workers stream, which requires Candidates to possess both French and English language proficiency.

The OINP stated that it will continue to issue NOIs through the HCP on a regular basis to applicants, who at the minimum, have a CRS of 400 and meet all the program requirements.

Candidates interested in pursuing the HCP stream must submit a profile into the Federal Express Entry pool.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, fill out a FREE assessment form today.

© 2018 CICNews All Rights Reserved

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Samsung SmartStarts Program Helps Newcomers Navigate Life in Canada
Samsung
New findings: newcomer entry wage growth outstripped Canadian wage growth
A man holds his wallet filled with Canadian money, in what appears to be a shoe store.
British Columbia and Alberta issue invitations in new PNP draws
Sunset above the city of Calgary.
December 2024: State of the Express Entry pool
A group of people on the sky bridge located in Jasper, Alberta.
Top Stories
Canadian cities rank among best in the world for quality of life in 2024
IRCC announces transitional measures for some students changing DLIs next year
The major changes to Canadian permanent resident pathways in 2024
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Canada
Canadian cities rank among best in the world for quality of life in 2024
A woman and a child stand on a sandy beach
The major changes to Canadian permanent resident pathways in 2024
People walking on a busy street in Downtown Toronto
These are the new immigration pathways coming to Canada in 2025
A woman holds a Canadian flag while standing close to a picturesque waterbody
New findings: newcomer entry wage growth outstripped Canadian wage growth
A man holds his wallet filled with Canadian money, in what appears to be a shoe store.
Link copied to clipboard