Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream
Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream
The Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream is a popular pathway for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Ontario and have profiles in the federal Express Entry system. This stream allows the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to nominate individuals from the Express Entry pool who meet the province’s specific labor market needs and have the potential to successfully settle and integrate into Ontario’s society.
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Overview of Ontario Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream:
- Integration with Express Entry: The HCP Stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Selection Criteria: Ontario selects candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet specific criteria set by the province, such as work experience, education, language proficiency, and other factors.
- Nomination for Permanent Residence: Candidates nominated through the HCP Stream receive a provincial nomination certificate, which significantly increases their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and enhances their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from the federal government of Canada.
Candidates must decide which of the following two federal programs you would like to be assessed against:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Eligibility Requirements:
Work Experience: Applicants must have accrued a minimum of one year of continuous, full-time paid work experience (or an equivalent amount in part-time) within the last five years in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. The work experience must align with the occupation specified on the Express Entry profile.
Education: Educational eligibility can be assessed in four primary ways:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian institution requiring at least two years of full-time study.
- Achievement of a graduate degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian institution necessitating at least one year of full-time study.
- Successful completion of a college graduate certificate program at an eligible Canadian institution, with a duration of at least one year of full-time study.
- Attainment of a university graduate certificate from an eligible Canadian institution, requiring at least one year of full-time study. It is imperative to ensure that these credentials were obtained while residing and studying in Canada for more than half of the duration of the study program.
If an occupation necessitates a license to continue practicing in the field, possessing a valid license or authorization issued by the relevant regulatory body in Ontario at the time of application is essential.
Language Proficiency: FSW applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French at a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7. Meanwhile, applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) require a minimum CLB level 7 for NOC skill levels 0 and 1, and CLB 5 for NOC skill levels 2 and 3. To validate this proficiency, applicants are required to pass either an English or French examination within two years preceding the submission date. Acceptable English tests include IELTS General and CELPIP General, while acceptable French tests include TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Settlement Funds: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependent family members while residing in Canada. Dependent family members may include a spouse, common-law partner, and children under the age of 22, including their children. This requirement can be met through one or a combination of options such as a sufficient balance listed on bank statements, annual salary from an occupation in Ontario, or a prospective job offer in Ontario.
Intent to Live in Ontario: A candidate’s ties to Ontario play a crucial role in receiving an invitation to apply. The applicant must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in Ontario upon receiving permanent residence. Proof of ties to the province may include past work experience in Ontario, actively applying for jobs or attending job interviews, leasing or owning property, engaging in studying or volunteering, and having professional ties or personal relationships.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Eligibility Requirements:
Work Experience: Candidates seeking assessment under the Canadian Experience Class must meet specific criteria for their work experience:
- The work experience must amount to at least one year of paid work obtained cumulatively while working full-time (or an equivalent amount in part-time paid work).
- It must align with one of the 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories of the TEER (Type of Employment Experience Rating) within the NOC.
- The work experience must have been obtained within the three years preceding the submission.
- Experience must align with at least one of the occupations indicated in the Express Entry profile.
- Experience must have been gained within Canada while maintaining legal status.
- Cumulative work experience refers to work done within the previous three years, totaling one year. Continuous employment is not necessary.
- It is important to note that work experience acquired while being a full-time student at a post-secondary institution or volunteer work does not count toward eligibility.
Education: While specific education requirements are not stipulated, possessing Canadian education credentials may enhance the candidate’s profile.
Language Proficiency: Candidates must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements in English or French (CLB 7 for NOC skill levels 0 and 1 jobs, and CLB 5 for NOC skill levels 2 and 3 jobs).
Settlement Funds: There are no specific settlement fund requirements for CEC candidates.
Intent to Live in Ontario: Similar to FSW applicants, CEC candidates must demonstrate ties to Ontario to receive an invitation to apply. Factors indicating ties to the province include past work experience in Ontario, actively applying for jobs or attending job interviews, leasing or owning property, engaging in studying or volunteering, and having professional ties or personal relationships.
Conditions for Both Programs:
- An applicant's work experience must total 1560 hours over the course of a year. If acquired in less than a year, the experience will not count toward eligibility. The work experience must span at least a year.
- Full-time work experience is defined as at least 30 hours of paid work per week, equivalent to 1560 hours within a year.
- Regular leave from work such as vacations or sick days does not disrupt the continuous nature of work. However, prolonged leave from responsibilities should not be counted toward work experience.
- When engaged in an occupation requiring a license in Ontario, only work experience acquired after becoming qualified to practice will count.
Important Notes:
- Self-employed work must accumulate to at least 1560 hours over the course of a year.
- Upon approval, candidates will receive a nomination approval letter, a nomination certificate, and a work permit support letter if applicable. Once nominated, candidates must submit a complete application for permanent residence to federal immigration authorities within 45 days.
- Work experience can be gained both inside and outside Canada.
- Continuous work experience entails no gaps in employment throughout the year. Back-to-back jobs for the same or different employers can accumulate to one year of experience, provided that it aligns with the NOC specified in the applicant's Express Entry profile.
- Self-employment may be eligible under this program with sufficient proof from third parties indicating a lawful partnership. Acceptable evidence includes client reference letters or invoices, but reference letters from family members or clients will not be accepted.
What is Human Capital Priorities Application Process?
To apply through the Human Capital Priorities stream, applicants must first receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario through their Express Entry profile. This NOI is valid for 45 calendar days, during which applicants must submit their application to the OINP.
Candidates who receive a NOI are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the document checklist in advance and prepare accordingly.
Process Overview
01
Meet the eligibility criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Class or the Canadian Experience Class.
02
Create an Express Entry profile.
03
The OINP identifies candidates in the Express Entry pool.
04
Receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the OINP.
05
Apply to the OINP under the Human Capital Priorities Stream within 45 calendar days after receiving the NOI from Ontario.
06
If nominated, candidates receive a Nomination Approval Letter and an OINP Certificate of Nomination via email. Candidates then have 30 calendar days to accept the nomination in the Express Entry system.
07
Upon acceptance of the nomination, Express Entry candidates are awarded an additional 600 CRS points and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent draw from the pool.
08
Submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC within 60 days of receiving the ITA.
What are NOC Codes Targeted For:
The OINP regularly holds draws specifically aimed at tech professionals through the Human Capital Priorities stream, which is aligned with the Federal Express Entry system. These draws aim to identify individuals with work experience in the tech industry, allowing them to contribute to Ontario’s flourishing tech sector. To be eligible, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile, meet the criteria for the Human Capital Priorities stream, and be able to demonstrate work experience in one of the following NOC codes:
- NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 21211 – Data Scientists
- NOC 21220 – Cybersecurity specialists
- NOC 21221 – Business system analysts
- NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
- NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
- NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
- NOC 21233 – Web designers
- NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
- NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- NOC 22220 – Computer network technicians
- NOC 22221 – User support technicians
- NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
The OINP regularly holds draws specifically aimed at healthcare professionals through the Human Capital Priorities stream, which is aligned with the Federal Express Entry system. These draws aim to identify individuals with work experience in the healthcare industry, allowing them to contribute to Ontario’s flourishing healthcare sector. To be eligible, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile, meet the criteria for the Human Capital Priorities stream, and be able to demonstrate work experience in one of the following NOC codes:
- NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
- NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31103 – Veterinarians
- NOC 31110 – Dentists
- NOC 31111 – Optometrists
- NOC 31112 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
- NOC 31121 – Dietitians and nutritionists
- NOC 31201 – Chiropractors
- NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
- NOC 31203 – Occupational therapists
- NOC 31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 31209 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
- NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- NOC 32100 – Opticians
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
- NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 32110 – Denturists
- NOC 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
- NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
- NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
- NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
- NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- NOC 32201 – Massage therapists
- NOC 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
- NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
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Express Entry Ontario Human Capital Priority Questions
No, a job offer is not required under this stream. However, having a valid job offer from an Ontario employer can improve your CRS score and overall chances of receiving an Notification of Interest.
Yes you need a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree, or an equivalent foreign credential, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if the degree is from outside Canada.
After accepting the nomination, you receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in the Express Entry system, which guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Yes, you can apply from anywhere in the world as long as you have a valid Express Entry profile and meet all the eligibility criteria for the Human Capital Priority Stream.
Once you are nominated you are expected to live and work in Ontario. While there is no legal obligations but failure to reside in Ontario after obtaining permanent residence can affect future applications and the integrity of the provincial nominee programs
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