Unlike many other countries throughout the world, Canada allows foreigners to immigrate without first obtaining a work offer.

Because the Canadian immigration system is so diverse and dynamic, those who have not yet found a job that will allow them to immigrate to Canada have a number of options.

While the Express Entry method is the most popular and desirable immigration path in Canada, the Provincial Nominee Program is an equally promising option (PNP).

Express Entry is based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points for many human capital aspects. While a job offer is not required in most situations, having one will result in a significantly larger number of points and, as a result, a better chance of being invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

The PNP was established in Canada to provide a more equitable distribution of the advantages of immigration across the country. Each year, the program allows participating provinces and territories to nominate a certain number of economic immigrants for permanent residence. Each province establishes its own set of requirements in PNPs.

To apply for a PNP to immigrate to Canada, you must first be nominated by a province or territory.

The PNP is a collaboration of nine Canadian provinces and two territories, including Ontario. Every year, the province welcomes one-third of all newcomers to Canada. People opt to live in Ontario because of the variety of jobs available, the high income, and the diverse population.

One of the most active PNPs in the country is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Each year, 8,000 invites to apply are sent out through various channels.

If you want to move to Ontario but don’t have a job offer, you can apply through the Ontario EE: Human Capital Priorities Stream.

If you apply to be nominated by Ontario and get a Notification of Interest, you will receive an invitation to submit an online application to the OINP using your Express Entry account.

A Nomination Approval Letter will be sent to you if your application is approved. In the Express Entry method, you will be prompted to accept or reject the nomination. You’ll get 600 points added to your Express Entry CRS score, effectively ensuring that you’ll be invited to apply for permanent residency.

With 4,851 NOIs already given to Express Entry candidates, the Human Capital Priorities Stream has been one of the most active Ontario PNP streams so far this year.

To be considered for the OINP Express Entry-Human Capital Priority Stream, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have an Express Entry profile that is active;
• Meet the criteria for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
• Meet the work experience requirements for the stream;
• Have a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree from a Canadian university or an equivalent international education certification;
• Demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark language competence level of 7 or above;
• Desire to live in Ontario;
• Have enough money to cover Ontario settlement costs.