Ontario holds second PNP draw in two days

Shelby Thevenot
Published: March 5, 2021

Ontario held a new draw on March 3, inviting French-speaking Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited 126 candidates through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream. Invited candidates needed to have a profile in the Express Entry system with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 455 and 467.

The province drew from the Express Entry pool of candidates who had created profiles between March 3, 2020, and March 3, 2021.

Invited candidates now have 45 calendar days to send in their application for a provincial nomination from Ontario.

This draw was slightly smaller than the previous FSSW draw on January 13, when the province issued 146 invitations. The new draw brings the total number of invited candidates to 271 in 2021.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canadian immigration

Check if you're eligible for the program

The first step after receiving an invitation is to check your eligibility, as receiving an invitation does not guarantee that you will be nominated.

Generally speaking, you need to meet the eligibility requirements of the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program in order to get the nomination. The specific eligibility requirements will depend on whichever program the OINP assesses you against.

You will also need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least 7 in French, and 6 in English. Among other eligibility criteria, the OINP will also want you to demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover settlement costs in Ontario.

What is the benefit of having a PNP?

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces to invite immigration candidates who may be a good match for their regional labour markets. A recent study suggested that PNPs maybe somewhat responsible for the improved labour market performance of new immigrants.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are effectively guaranteed to get an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent draw at the federal level. With a provincial nomination, candidates get an automatic reward of 600 CRS points. More than enough to receive an ITA in the average all-program Express Entry draw, or a PNP-only draw.

What is Express Entry?

Canada's Express Entry system is not an immigration program, but an application management system for three Federal High Skilled programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Eligible foreign nationals who want to immigrate to Canada can enter their profile into the Express Entry system for a chance to get Canadian permanent residence. Their profiles are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System out of a possible 1,200 points. The majority of candidates fall between 300 and 500 points.

Points are based on human capital factors like age, skilled work experience, education, language ability in English or French, among other factors. Self-employed work does not count as "skilled" work experience.

The highest scoring candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry draws.

In the previous Express Entry draw on February 13, Canada invited every single candidate in the pool who was eligible for the Canadian Experience Class.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canadian immigration

© CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

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
October 2024: State of the Express Entry Pool
A group of people walking through a popular square in Canada.
Ontario increases minimum wage. Is it enough to live on as a newcomer?
Queens park in the fall, Toronto
British Columbia and Ontario issue more provincial nominations for skilled workers
Mountain side on the Canadian coast, on a summer evening.
Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec invite candidates to apply for provincial immigration
Beach on Haida Gwaii
Top Stories
IRCC to grant work permits to Yukon nominee candidates
IRCC releases program updates regarding Intra-Company Transferees
October 2024: State of the Express Entry Pool
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Express Entry
October 2024: State of the Express Entry Pool
A group of people walking through a popular square in Canada.
How many ITAs has Canada issued through Express Entry this year vs. last year?
A view of a mountain through fall leaves.
IRCC issues 4,000 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates in latest Express Entry draw
A view of a river in Canada during a summer day, with kayaks and canoes making their way through.
IRCC issues 1,000 invitations to apply in latest Express Entry draw for French speakers
A scenic view of downtown Calgary during a summer sunset.
Link copied to clipboard