Ontario holds new Tech Draw inviting Express Entry candidates

Ontario held a new Tech Draw on October 15, inviting Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who may qualify for the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream.

A total of 772 principal applicants received NOIs from the Tech Draw. Express Entry candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 462 and 470 in order to be invited. They also needed to have work experience in one of the following occupations:

NOC 0213 Computer and information systems managers
NOC 2147 Computer engineers
NOC 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
NOC 2173 Software engineers and designers
NOC 2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers
NOC 2175 Web designers and developers

Candidates did not need a job offer to receive an invitation, but they needed at least one year of work experience in one of these tech occupations.

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They also needed to have a profile in the Express Entry system.

People who received the NOI from Ontario now have 45 calendar days to submit their application for the provincial nomination.

If they are awarded the nomination from Ontario they will automatically get an additional 600 CRS points toward their overall CRS score. This award will ensure that they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw. This goes for anyone who is nominated under any Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada.

This is Ontario's fourth Tech Draw of the year. The one on July 29 was the biggest Tech Draw so far in 2020, when 1,288 Express Entry candidates were invited to apply for a provincial nomination.

How to get invited for an Ontario Tech Draw

The first step to become eligible for an invitation through the OINP Tech draw is to create a profile in Canada’s Express Entry system.

Express Entry is an application management system for three federal economic-class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Ontario’s Human Capital Priority stream recognizes candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on their education, work experience, age, and language proficiency in English or French.

The OINP Tech Draws pull from the Express Entry pool of candidates, inviting eligible tech workers to apply for a provincial nomination from Ontario.

Once the process is complete, candidates will have the opportunity to settle into their technology careers in Ontario.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration