Ontario PNP moving to Expression of Interest system for five immigration streams
Ontario is changing the registration system of five of its economic class immigration streams within the coming weeks.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will introduce Expression of Interest (EOI) system to replace the previous first-come-first-serve model. The EOI system is a points-based system that ranks candidates based on human capital and labour market factors.
Many other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) already use this system for managing new registrants.
The OINP will introduce the EOI system to the following five (5) streams:
- Master’s Graduate Stream;
- Ph.D. Graduate Streams;
- Foreign Worker Stream;
- International Student Stream; and
- In-Demand Skills Stream.
While OINP is changing the system, the streams are currently closed to new applicants. The streams will reopen when the new EOI system launches in a few weeks. There is no confirmed date yet.
The immigration streams that are switching to an EOI registration system used to operate like rushed seating. The OINP had previously opened up a web portal for each stream to accept registrations from people. The registration windows usually only last a few minutes before coming full due to popular demand.
Another problem with the old system is that the OINP had a dedicated email address for people who had technical difficulties which affected their registration. As well, some people had complained that the system was unfair to people with slow internet connections.
EOI systems are used by most PNPs. Usually, it requires applicants to submit a resume with their work experience, education, and any other information. Candidates are then given a provincial score, and if they score high enough they may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.