The OINP conducts searches within the Express Entry pool to identify potential candidates who:

1. Meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this stream within IRCC’s Express Entry system.
2. Fulfill the eligibility criteria of Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream (details below).

Candidates identified by the OINP will receive an NOI, inviting them to apply online to the OINP for nomination under the Human Capital Priorities Stream. It’s crucial to note that these selected candidates have a limited window of 45 calendar days to submit their application to the OINP under this stream. Applications received after this period will not be processed. Once their application is approved, candidates will be notified of their nomination by the OINP, which they can use to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

It’s important to highlight that there is no fixed CRS minimum for the Human Capital Priorities Stream; it can vary from draw to draw.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Fulfill the eligibility requirements of one of Canada’s Federal High Skilled programs, either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
2. Candidates applying through FSWP must achieve a minimum score of 67 points based on IRCC’s Federal Skilled Worker selection factors, which include language skills, education, work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada, and adaptability.
3. Meet the stream’s work experience requirements.
4. Hold either a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree OR possess an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization indicating equivalency to a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD. Note that the ECA report must not be more than five years old at the time of applying to the OINP.
5. Demonstrate proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher in all four language competencies (speaking, reading, writing, and listening). Language proficiency must be validated through test results from designated agencies taken within two years before submitting the OINP application.
6. Intend to reside in Ontario, substantiated by documentation that demonstrates ties to the province.
7. Maintain legal status in Canada if currently residing in the country during the application process, as the OINP accepts applications from individuals on maintained status.
8. Obtain a minimum CRS score under the Express Entry system as determined by the director.
9. Satisfy additional criteria specific to either FSWP or CEC applicants.
10. Have adequate funds to cover settlement costs in Ontario, which can be met through various means, such as bank statements, ongoing employment earnings in Ontario, or a job offer in Ontario. Settlement funds must meet or exceed the amounts specified for each family size, with these requirements being updated annually.

Work Experience Requirements

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):

For Express Entry candidates who choose the FSWP assessment, they must present evidence of the following:

• They must demonstrate continuous, paid, full-time work of at least one year, or part-time equivalent, within the last five years, either in Canada or abroad, before they receive the NOI from Ontario.
• Full-time work entails at least 30 hours of work in one job over a week, resulting in at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in a year.
• Note: Work experience that totals 1,560 hours but is acquired in less than a year or through volunteer work is not recognized as valid.

Continuous work implies there must not be any gaps between periods of employment. While work experience can encompass consecutive jobs with the same or different employers, at least one year must fall within the same National Occupational Classification (NOC) occupation category as declared in the Express Entry profile.

Part-time equivalent work is described as:

• A minimum of 15 hours of work in one job over a week, resulting in the accumulation of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in two years.
• At least 30 hours of work over a week in multiple concurrent jobs, resulting in the accumulation of at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in one year.
• Work experience must be related to an occupation classified under NOC Type/Level 0, A, or B.
• Activities performed in the job must align with the activities outlined in the NOC and its lead statement.

Self-Employment:

FSWP candidates have the option to include self-employment experience to fulfill the minimum work experience requirements. However, self-employment must meet the criteria of being full-time, paid, and falling under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC.

Note: The OINP requests verifiable documentation of self-employment through third parties and proof of ongoing payments for services rendered (e.g., invoices). Work hours must be quantifiable, confirming at least 1,560 hours of employment in one year. The OINP does not accept self-written reference letters from candidates, their business partners, or family members.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

For Express Entry candidates who choose to undergo assessment under the CEC, they must prove:

– They accumulated cumulative, paid, full-time work of at least one year, or part-time equivalent, within the last three years in Canada before the date of their NOI.
– Full-time work requires at least 30 hours of work in one job over a week, resulting in at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in a year.
– It’s important to note that volunteer work and unpaid internships do not meet the criteria for valid work experience.
– Cumulative work experience must total one year, allowing for gaps in employment; continuous employment is not obligatory.
– Part-time equivalent work is defined as:
– A minimum of 15 hours of work in one job over a week, resulting in at least 1,560 hours of paid employment in two years.
– At least 30 hours of work over a week in multiple concurrent jobs, resulting  least 1,560 hours of paid employment in one year.
– Candidates must have maintained legal status while working in Canada.
– Paid work obtained during full-time post-secondary education (e.g., co-op work terms) or self-employment is not considered eligible when applying under the CEC.