Provincial Nominee Programmes - Canada

Dear Miss Powell,

I’m interested in applying to live in Canada under the provincial nominee programme. I have aunts and cousins living in Ontario so I think I will apply under Ontario. Do I need to be working in a specific job? What are the minimum requirements? Do I need a job offer before I apply? What if I want to set up a business? I look forward to your response. Thank you.

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IC

Dear IC,

Each province in Canada has its own system of granting a provincial nominee programme. Some have a list of in-demand occupations based on their current labour force and this is posted on their website. Individuals who are granted a provincial nominee usually have enough points to be selected for permanent residence by the federal government of Canada under the express entry system.

Basic Requirements

The various provinces have their own requirements and you may need to apply directly to the province. However, some work in tandem with the express-entry system. The minimum requirements for most provinces are proof of education, skills, work experience and proof of competency in the official languages of English and/or French.

Nova Scotia, Alberta and Ontario are the main provinces that search the express entry pool for suitable candidates, based on the provinces’ labour demands. You do not need to have a job offer in order to qualify under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP). In the recent selection by the province of Ontario, only 36 per cent of the persons nominated had a job offer. Majority of the candidates selected were from the express entry pool and individuals who were masters or PhD graduates of universities in Ontario.

You did not state your education, skill or work experience, but you should note that the OINP will accept application from individuals under the categories of Ontario express entry, general or employer job offer category, international student category, business category.

The most popular of all the streams is under the express entry category based on the Ontario's Human Capital Priorities Stream. This category is mostly utilised by international applicants who receive an expression of interest from the province of Ontario via the express entry system. Individuals cannot apply to the province directly under this category, but must first be selected by the province based on being in the express entry pool. Therefore, you should focus on getting into the express entry pool first if you are thinking of this category. Individuals are usually allowed into the pool based on their skills, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.
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Business Category

Although the business category is not very popular, individuals or entrepreneurs who are looking to buy an existing business or start a new business in Ontario could be granted permanent residence based on nomination from the province of Ontario. Under this initiative, individuals with the requisite skills, education and work experience, will first get a work permit to establish the business, invest in the province and contribute to the creation of jobs in the province. Once the individual is able to excel in his performance appraisal, then he could be nominated for permanent residence by the province.

Individuals should note that for any provincial nominee programme, the emphasis is on selection of candidates who have the education, training, skills and work experience who can be contribute to the economy of the province. Individuals will need to be able to demonstrate the potential to integrate into the society easily and to be productive. You should choose the province that best fits your qualifications and objectives. I recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer to find more about opportunities to become permanent resident of Canada.

 FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO COME TO CANADA click here and complete our free assessment form .

Deidre S. Powell is an immigration lawyer, mediator and notary public. Submit your questions and comments to info@deidrepowell.com or call 613.695.8777/ 876.922.4092. You can also find her on facebook.com/jamaicanlawyer.