Ontario’s Express Entry
Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream

Table of Contents

About Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream

The Human Capital Priority stream in Ontario is designed for foreign skilled workers who want to move and settle in Ontario as a Permanent Resident. Skilled workers with a minimum level of education, job experience, language abilities, and other criteria required by the province for economic settlement are invited to apply.

For consideration under this popular stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), it is mandatory for the skilled workers to meet the minimum eligibility criteria of one of the following programmes of the Express Entry system, i.e.,

One cannot apply directly to this stream. Instead, he or she must first receive a Notice of Interest (NOI) or Invitation from the OINP based on his or her factors, including education, experience, and language proficiency, as requested by the labour market of the province.

Applicants invited through the Ontario Human Capital Priority (HCP) stream get an additional benefit of 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), either after nomination or approval of the application. This increases the total CRS score and increases the chances of getting Canadian permanent residence status.

Moreover, it is not necessary to have a job offer from an Ontario employer to apply under this stream.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

The most common question among foreign skilled workers, who applied for a Canadian permanent residence visa via Express Entry’s FSWP or CEC programs and preferred Ontario above any other province in Canada is, “What are the minimum eligibility requirements for Ontario Express Entry’s Human Capital Priorities stream?”

Let’s understand the minimum eligibility requirements of this stream:

FactorsRequirements
Active Express Entry Profile

Must have a profile under one of the following two federal programs:

EducationMust have education equivalent to Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree.
Language SkillsCLB Level 7 or higher (either English or French Language Exam)
Work Experience

For candidates with profile in FSWP

  • At least one year of continuous paid full-time work experience, obtained within the last five years from the date of submitting your application to the OINP
  • There should be no breaks in employment over a one year period

For candidates with profile in CEC

  • At least one year of cumulative paid full-time work experience, obtained within the last three years from the date of submitting your application to the OINP
CRS Score One must have a minimum CRS score under the Express Entry system, as determined by the Province of Ontario, for each round of invitations.
Job offerNot Required
Legal status in Canada
(if applicable)
If living in Canada currently one must have legal status (e.g., a study permit, a work permit, or visitor registration).

 

Ontario PNP Draws

Processing time for Ontario PNP or OINP streams

The processing time of Ontario PNP or OINP streams depends on the number of applications submitted into the stream. The average processing time of each stream operated under the Ontario PNP or OINP is as follows:

OINP Stream

Estimated Processing Time

Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker

70 – 100 days

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities

70 – 100 days

Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades

70 – 100 days

Masters Graduate

90 – 120 days

Ph.D. Graduate

90 – 120 days

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker

90 – 120 days

Employer Job Offer: International Student

90 – 120 days

Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills

90 – 120 days

Entrepreneur Stream Expression of Interest (EOI) Assessment: Less than 30 days 
Applications: Depends on application complexity

Documents required for Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Applications

Candidates are required to scan and upload copies of the following mandatory documents with the application:

  • Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario
  • Identity documents
  • Documents showing Legal Status in Canada (if applicable)
  • Education documents
  • Language Exam results
  • A valid job offer from Ontario (if applicable)
  • Employment Documents of experience gained outside/ inside Canada
  • Proof of funds
  • Resume
  • Intent Letter
  • Other optional documents (if applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a job offer for Ontario PNP?

No, you can also apply for Ontario PNP without a job offer. Streams that accept applications without job offer letters are:

  • Human Capital Priorities stream
  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream
  • Skilled Trades stream
  • Master’s Graduate Stream
  • Ph.D. graduate stream
Is Ontario PNP easy?

When deciding to immigrate to Ontario using the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), there are a number of streams from which to select. One person probably won’t be qualified for all of the streams, and that’s why it is important that you are aware of the stream you qualify for. Contact us so we can address all of your inquiries.

How long Ontario's PNP or OINP take?

The average processing time for the applications submitted under the Human Capital category is 70-100 days, whereas for applications submitted under the Employer Job Offer category and International Student stream, it is 90-120 days.

For the business category, the expression of interest (EOI) takes less than 30 days to process, but the application processing for nomination time depends on the complexity of the application.

Is Ontario's PNP or OINP open now?

Yes. Currently, all streams are available.

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