Ontario releases new instructions for submitting complete PNP applications

Ontario has offered some more specific instructions to future immigrants and their representatives who are applying for its provincial immigration program.

Ontario immigration applicants need to send complete applications to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Missing elements can result in applications being returned. The province says it decreases processing times to only accept complete applications for its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

New instructions for submitting complete applications pertain to Ontario Express Entry and Expression of Interest candidates.

Ontario Express Entry Streams

If you are applying under an Express Entry stream, and have a foreign education, you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) in order to get points for education.

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Ontario specifically named World Education Services (WES) on its government webpage. However, this is not the only organization designated to do credential assessments. The federal government has a list of approved services on its website.

The province says you need to authorize WES to share a copy of your ECA with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

To do this, you need to order an "additional report" of your ECA report online. Then select the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program as the recipient.

Only authorizing WES to share the results of your assessment with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is not sufficient for applying for a provincial nomination from Ontario.

If you do not authorize WES to share the information with the OINP, it will result in your application being returned as incomplete and the application fee refunded. You will lose the opportunity to apply to the program unless you receive a new notification of interest from Ontario.

Expression of Interest Streams: Attestation Form

For those applying under an Employer Job Offer stream, you have to submit a PDF copy of the Attestation Form. It should be printed, signed in ink by the applicant, and uploaded to the “Other” tab under Supporting Documents.

Ontario will return an application as incomplete and refund the application fee if there is no signed PDF copy of the attestation form. You will lose the opportunity to apply to the program, unless you register a new EOI and receive a new invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration