Ontario’s Targeted Occupations Announced for Express Entry Immigration Stream
Canada relies on skilled immigrants to fulfill labour shortages in various industries. Without this global talent, national and provincial economies could suffer. Various regions in Canada with low working age population or shortages with skilled workers rely on immigration to meet their economic and occupational needs.
To meet industry demands, provinces nominate eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool. Provincial nominations grant candidates additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which help them qualify for Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent resident status in Canada. For more information about the Express Entry program and provincial nominations, contact an immigration lawyer in Canada.
Ontario recently selected candidates from the Express Entry pool under the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream. These candidates were chosen for their experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
Human Capital Priorities Stream
The Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream aligns with the Express Entry program, as part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Eligible candidates in the HCP stream typically need a minimum of 400 CRS points, but those with experience in specific occupations in the ICT industry were deemed eligible for a Notification of Interest (NOI—i.e. an ITA for a provincial nomination) from Ontario, even if their CRS score didn’t exceed 400.
Other HCP stream eligibility criteria include:
- A minimum level of work experience;
- A Canadian post-secondary education, or equivalent;
- English or French language proficiency level of 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark—CLB) or higher for speaking, reading, writing, and listening;
- An intention to live in Ontario;
- Sufficient funds to settle in Ontario; and,
- The other criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Information and Communications Technology Occupations
Ontario selected candidates that met HCP eligibility requirements with experience in one of the following target occupations in the ICT industry:
- Telecommunication Carriers Managers
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers)
- Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
- Database Analysts and Data Administrators
- Software Engineers and Designers
- Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
- Web Designers and Developers
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Computer Network Technicians
- User Support Technicians
- Systems Testing Technicians
- Broadcast Technicians
- Graphic Designers and Illustrators
Information and communications technology is always evolving, so going into one of these career fields is a wise decision for both Canadians and skilled immigrants who wish to work in Canada. For those interested in entering the Express Entry pool and obtaining permanent residence via the HCP stream, an immigration lawyer in Canada can help with the application process.
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Arghavan Gerami
Arghavan Gerami is the Founder and Senior Counsel at Gerami Law Professional Corporation ('PC'), a full-service immigration law firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2011, Ms. Gerami has focused her practice on immigration and refugee litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Gerami worked at the Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice and had the privilege of serving the Honourable Mr. Justice M. Evans at the Federal Court of Appeal on immigration and administrative law appeals. Ms. Gerami contributes to the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Gerami has also published numerous journal articles and presented at various immigration and refugee law conferences and events across Canada.