Latest Ontario tech draw CRS requirement historically low

Ontario invited 703 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence on May 13.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to candidates who had work experience in one of the following six tech sector occupations:

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 programmer and interactive media developers NOC 2174
Web designers and developers NOC 2175

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The invited Express Entry candidates had Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 421 and 451. This CRS requirement is the lowest in the program’s history, from its first draw held in July 2019.

If the candidates who were invited in the latest OINP Tech Draw receive the provincial nomination they will be awarded an additional 600 CRS points toward a subsequent federal Express Entry draw. Ontario is just one of nine provinces with provincial nominee programs (PNP) that are linked with Express Entry. The only province that does not have a PNP is Quebec.

Candidates who received a Notification of Interest (NOI), or invitation from Ontario, must be eligible for the Human Capital Priorities stream.

How Tech Draws work

OINP Tech Draws are conducted through the Human Capital Priorities stream, which allows the OINP to search the federal Express Entry pool for candidates who meet the stream’s eligibility requirements.

A job offer is not required in order to be eligible for the Human Capital Priorities Stream. However, candidates need to have a profile in the Express Entry pool.

The purpose of these draws is to search specifically for eligible Express Entry candidates who have at least one year of continuous paid full-time work experience, or the equivalent in paid part-time work, in one of six tech-sector occupations.

In conjunction with recent PNP-specific Express Entry draws, this draw has resulted in even more tech workers being selected under the PNP.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, some Canadian tech companies are currently hiring, and are poised to help lead economic recovery in Canada.

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