To improve the understanding of its nominee program, Ontario government has modified the name of its Pilot Provincial Nominee Program (Pilot PNP) and made several enhancements in order to attract investment and help businesses grow and compete in the changing global economy.
The modified program, called "Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program", will give the province the ability to fast-track a limited number of skilled workers through the federal immigration system. "Opportunities Ontario", which is more reflective of the province and program’s immigration purpose, will allow employers and investors to hire foreign skilled workers for any managerial, professional, or skilled trade occupations (listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A and B in the National Occupational Classification) with an increased cap of nearly 1,000 nominees in 2009.
However, the new process will remain employer-driven and candidates will need a genuine offer of permanent and fulltime job from an approved Ontario employer to apply.
Opportunities Ontario has also been reclassified into two broad categories: General for employers and investors who wish to recruit and hire foreign skilled workers and individuals in Canada on work permit, and International Student for those employers looking to recruit international students graduate from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university.
To qualify for nomination as a foreign skilled worker in the General category, applicants must have an approved permanent fulltime job offer in any managerial, professional, or skilled trade occupations. They need to be qualified for the position and have at least two years of work experience. To apply for Provincial Nomination, candidates need to have received an Employer Pre-Screen Approved Position Form, along with the nominee application package from the Ontario employer who has extended them the job offer. The offered wage must meet the prevailing wage level for the intended occupation. If the applicants are currently residing in Canada, they need to have valid legal status.
Under the General category, Ontario employers also have the option to invest in the province. These employers will bring over key foreign employees to be nominated for Canadian Permanent Residency, by making an investment of $3 million to establish or expand operations in Ontario. The investment must create at least 5 new jobs for Ontario residents as well. These requirements have been revised down from the original Ontario PNP requirements of $10 million and 25 new jobs created.
Potential nominees under the International Student category must have graduated within the past two years (or will soon be graduating) from an eligible publicly-funded Canadian university or college. Previously, their offer of fulltime permanent employment had to be in their field of study. Now, this restriction has been removed so that the job offer can be in any managerial, professional, or skilled trade occupations. International student candidates do not need to have any previous work experience to qualify, unlike the federal Canadian Experience Class category. To apply, they too need to have received the Employer Pre-Screen Approved Position Form and application package. The offered wage for the position must meet the entry-level standard for that occupation. If still residing in Canada, applicants need to have valid legal status.
Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program is mandated under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA).
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