The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is a dedicated immigration channel crafted to draw skilled workers proficient in both English and French to Ontario, Canada. This initiative mirrors Ontario’s dedication to nurturing linguistic diversity and cultural enrichment by extending invitations to individuals capable of contributing their skills and talents while actively encouraging the use of both official languages.
Focused on individuals possessing bilingual skills, this stream acknowledges the significance of linguistic diversity in enriching the economic and social tapestry of the province. Ontario aims to address its labor market needs by carefully choosing candidates who satisfy particular educational and work experience criteria, showcasing a notable proficiency in both languages.
Individuals meeting the eligibility criteria for the OINP French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream have the potential to leverage the Express Entry system. A successful provincial nomination considerably increases their likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at the federal level. This strategic initiative serves as a crucial element in the integration of skilled and bilingual professionals into the Ontario workforce, thereby making significant contributions to both economic growth and cultural diversity within the province.
Depending on which program the applicant decides to be assessed for, the requirements will vary accordingly. You can take a look at other OINP programs, and take a look at our professional fees.
Book a consultation today to discuss your eligibility with some of the best immigration consultants and take your first step toward living and working in Canada and ultimately toward Canadian permanent residency.
DRAW DATE
Jan 18, 2024
PROGRAM(S)
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
INVITATIONS ISSUED
987
LOWEST SCORE
317
On September 21, 2023 professionals in general occupations received their invitations and the applicants’ CRS score ranged between 348-434. In 2023, a total number of 1,490 were issued. Read more
On September 7, 2023 another draw was conducted for general occupations and the average CRS score ranged between 308-434. Read more
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the main requirements are
Certain selection factors rank an applicant’s eligibility and they are different from the ones used to rank the Express Entry profile. The overall score that can be assigned to an applicant is 100, while the minimum benchmark an applicant has to meet is 67. If an applicant does not manage to reach that 67 mark, they can improve their application by getting better language test results, acquiring another degree or certificate, or receiving an offer of arranged employment from an employee inside Canada. The maximum points that the applicant may receive for each factor is
An applicant must gain at least CLB level 7 in all language areas (reading, writing, listening, speaking) To receive additional points for the second official language maximum 4), the minimum level required is CLB 5 for all language areas.
An applicant must have either a secondary or a post-secondary diploma issued either in Canada or a foreign country. In case this document was obtained in a foreign country, it must pass the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove that it is the equivalent of a Canadian secondary/post-secondary credential.
An applicant is eligible to receive points for the number of years they have spent working full-time (or an equal amount part-time) in a skilled occupation in one of the 0,1,2 or 3 TEERs of the NOC. The work experience will count if
The younger the applicant, the more points they are eligible to receive. Applicants aged 18-35 can receive the maximum amount of points, while a point is deducted for each additional year after turning 35.
An applicant may receive points if they have a job offer for at least 1 year from a Canadian employer and the applicant has to have the offer available before the application to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker. A job offer is valid if it is continuous, full-time, paid, and lasts for at least 1 year. It must also be in 0,1,2 or 3 TEER categories of the NOC.
Both the applicant and the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner are eligible to earn points for adaptability of any of these apply
It is also important to keep in mind that
If the candidate wants to be assessed for the Canadian Experience Class, there are certain criteria that the work experience must meet
It is important to keep in mind that work experience gained while being a full-time student at a post-secondary institution will not count towards experience for the Canadian Experience Class. Volunteer work also does not count toward eligibility.
Education eligibility can be assessed in four primary ways. Your educational background is eligible if you have obtained:
It is also necessary to make sure that these credentials were obtained while living and studying in Canada for more than half of the duration of the study program.
If an occupation requires a license to keep practicing in the field, it is necessary to possess a legitimate license or authorization issued by the relevant regulatory body in Ontario at the time of application.
For this specific stream, the candidate must speak both of Canada’s official languages: English and French. The applicant’s English level should be at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 while French should be at CLB 7. The test must have been taken within two years before the submission date.
The acceptable English tests are:
The acceptable French tests are:
An applicant must show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependant family members when living in Canada. A dependent family member may be a spouse, common-law partner and children under the age of 22, including their children.
Applicants can meet this requirement by one or a combination of any of these options
For example, if the candidate is required to show $25564, but their employment only covers $20000, the candidate then can even this up by money available in their balance. Candidates can learn about how much money they will require depending on their family size. (One-time large deposits may require more documentation in support of genuine funds rather than debt or liability)
The applicant’s ties to Ontario are another determining factor in receiving an invitation to apply. The candidate must show that upon receiving permanent residence, he/she intends to live and work in Ontario. Some of the factors that can serve as proof of ties in the province include:
If the candidate is submitting their application from inside Canada, they must show that they possess a valid status like a visitor visa or a study permit. If they are in the process of extending their status, they can apply if they have their “maintained status” which essentially grants the applicant the right to remain in Canada while a decision is being made on the extension of their status.
When applying for the Human Capital Priorities Stream, the applicant will need to scan and upload a list of documents within 45 days of receiving the invitation:
If you have any dependent family members, you must also scan and upload the following documents:
All of these documents are necessary to upload unless notified otherwise. The upload of unnecessary documents may result in delays in processing.
The average processing time for this stream usually takes 60-90 days. An applicant can check the status of the application on the OINP e-Filing portal.
While there are no government fees when submitting the application to Express Entry pool or creating an e-Filing portal, once the applicant receives the notification of interest, a sum of $1500 will need to be paid for the processing of the application. (Refunds are possible in case of incomplete applications or withdrawal before the start of the processing). If you decide to retain us as your representative, some professional fees will be applicable.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive the following via email:
Once nominated, candidates need to submit a complete application for permanent residence to the federal immigration authorities within 45 days.
Creating a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Registering an expression of interest for the international student stream.
Filling in forms and uploading required documentations within 14 days of receiving invitation to apply.
Applying for permanent residency (PR) to the IRCC within 6 months of receiving the nomination.
