Ontario searches Express Entry pool for hundreds of potential nominees

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Hundreds of applicants were cleared to obtain permanent residence in Canada this week when Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream issued 488 notifications of interest.

What does the change mean? Applicants who received the notifications from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) had Comprehensive Ranking System scores of between 435 and 441. They will now be given the chance to apply for a provincial nomination through OINP and, if successful, will receive an additional 600 points on the CRS score, which essentially assures. That they will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.  
• Visas/permits affected: Permanent residence through Express Entry.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals interested in a provincial nomination in order to help them obtain permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry program.
• Next steps: Applicants have 45 days to apply to the OINP after receiving a notification of interest. Applicants must apply online on this OINP web page.

Background: Ontario’s Express Entry stream allows provincial authorities to search the federal Express Entry pool for those who might be interested in obtaining a provincial nomination. In order to qualify, applicants must have a CRS of at least 400 and meet other criteria. Applicants who receive a notification of interest are given the chance to apply to OINP for a nomination under the Human Capital Priorities Stream. Successful applicants get an additional 600 points on their CRS and then will be issued an invitation to apply through the federal Express Entry program.

So far this year, Ontario has issued notifications of interest to applicants with scores ranging from the mid-430s to mid-440s.

BAL Analysis: Ontario is aggressively searching the federal Express Entry pool for applicants for provincial nominations. Many of these applicants are among those who just miss the cutoff for federal Express Entry invitations, which this year have been issued to applicants with CRS scores in the low or mid-440s. Those who secure a provincial nomination, however, all are all but guaranteed to have a chance of getting a letter of invitation for permanent residence.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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