French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programs
FRENCH SPEAKING SKILLED WORKER STREAM
Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker is one of the Human Capital streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Ontario. French-Speaking Skilled Worker invites candidates from the Express Entry pool who demonstrate proficiency in both English and French and who demonstrate the ability to contribute to the province’s workforce as skilled workers.
Express Entry Requirement
Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. In order to be considered, a candidate must have an active Express Entry profile in either Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with official language test results in both English and French. As candidates are required to have an active Express Entry profile in either FSW or CEC, the minimum requirements are aligned with the requirements of those programs.
Federal Skilled Worker requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least one year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.
Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of one year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.
Language Proficiency
In order to be considered for this program, candidates must possess valid language test results for both English and French, obtained within the two years prior to applying. The French-language test results must show a minimum score equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all four abilities. The only accepted test for this purpose is the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF). The English-language test results must show a minimum score equal to CLB 6 in all four abilities. The two accepted tests for English proficiency are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
Settlement Funds
All candidates for the Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment. Please note that candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of Express Entry still must demonstrate proof of settlement funds for the OINP application.
CEC candidates are exempt from showing settlement funds at the federal level, but not at the provincial level.