In Ontario, the registration system for its five economic-class immigration streams has changed. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is shifted to an Expression of Interest (EOI) system from a first-come, first-served model.
Expression Of Interest (EOI) System
It is a point-based system that ranks candidates based on criteria such as human capital and labour market conditions. Many other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are already using this system to handle new registrants.
For the time being, Ontario immigration has launched its new Expression of Interest system for two of the five associated streams, with the other three scheduled to go live ‘shortly.’
These are the EOI System applied stream:
- Employer Job Offer Category streams
- Foreign Worker (open)
- International Student (Open)
- In-Demand Skills (coming soon)
- Masters Graduate stream (coming soon)
- PhD. Graduate stream (coming soon)
How Does The EOI System Work?
People must submit a resume with their work experience, qualifications, and other relevant details to the EOI system. The applicants will then be given a provincial ranking, and if their score is high enough, they will be invited to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
In the fall of 2020, Ontario started accepting public hearings on the new EOI system. As a result of the constructive reviews, the decision was made. Employers, individuals, immigrant organisations, prospective candidates, and business and professional groups all submitted applications.
The new EOI method is expected to be simpler to use than the existing intake procedure. Many participants expressed it as fairer and more predictable.
Scoring Factors
Ontario assigns a score to the various EOI profiles depending on the responses. Points are awarded depending on your skill level and job experience in Canada. The province assigns points using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) scheme.
It is also dependent on which stream you want. It considers considerations such as pay, education, official language, and so on, in addition to skill level. The province will award 10 points for responding to labour market changes at its discretion.
Job Offer: NOC Skill Level
(Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points to NOC Skill Level A
- 8 points to NOC Skill Level B
- 0 points to NOC Skill Level C
- 0 points to NOC Skill Level D
Job Offer: NOC Type
- 10 points to NOC Type 0,1,2,3,9
- 5 points to NOC Type 4,5,6,7,8
Job Offer: Pay
(Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for CAD40 per hour or higher
- 5 points for CAD20 to CAD39.99 per hour
- 0 points for Less than CAD20 per hour
Canadian Work Experience: Duration
(Cumulative)
- 4 points for 12 months or more
- 0 points for Less than 12 months
Canadian Work Experience: NOC Skill Level
- 3 points for NOC Skill Level A
- 0 points for NOC Skill Level B
- 0 points for NOC Skill Level C
- 0 points for NOC Skill Level D
Canadian Work Experience: Earnings History
- 3 points for CAD40k or more earnings in a year
- 0 points for Less than CAD40k earnings in a year
Highest Level Of Education
- 10 points for a PhD
- 8 points for Masters
- 6 points for Bachelors or equivalent
- 5 points for a College diploma or trade certificate
- 0 points for Less than college or trade certificate
Study Field
(Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for Engineering
- 10 points for Health care
- 9 points for Math and Computer Science
- 7 points for Business and Administration
- 7 points for Trades
- 6 points for Social, Legal, and Education
- 5 points for Arts and Humanities
Canadian Education Experience
(Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for More than one Canadian credential
- 5 points for One Canadian credential
Official Language Aptitude
(Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for CLB 9 or higher
- 6 points for CLB 8
- 4 points for CLB 7
- 0 points for CLB 6 or lower
Official Languages Knowledge
(Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for 2 Official Languages
- 5 points for 1 Official Language
Regional Immigration: Job Offer Location
(Masters or PhD streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for Outside GTA
- 6 points for Inside GTA
Regional Immigration: Study Location
(Masters or PhD streams – Not applicable)
- 10 points for Outside GTA
- 6 points for Inside GTA
Strategic Urgencies
To meet immediate labour market needs in the province or a province territory.