Ontario Immigration Categories

If you wish to immigrate to Ontario, then you have three categories to choose from:

The Human Capital Category is for skilled workers, French-speaking skilled workers and tradespersons. It is also for international graduates who graduated from an Ontario university with a Master’s or PhD degree. No job offer is required to apply through this category.

The Employer Job Offer Category is for candidates who have an eligible job offer in Ontario from an employer who is willing to nominate them.

The Business Category is for those who wish to start a business or buy an existing business in Ontario. There is currently only one stream under the Business Category – Entrepreneur Stream.

Human Capital Category

The Human Capital Category itself divides into two sub-streams. One of them is the Ontario Express Entry. Programs in this sub-stream are enhanced. This means that they are linked with the Express Entry system.

The following programs fall into the Human Capital Category: Ontario Express Entry sub stream:

Human Capital Priorities: This category includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Skilled Trades: For individuals with relevant Ontario work experience in an eligible trade occupation.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker: This program operates, like Human Capital Priorities, through FSWP and CEC. Applicants for French-Speaking Skilled Worker must have strong skills in both French and English.

If you receive a nomination through Ontario Express Entry, you will be notified. It will then be up to the candidate, to accept or refuse the nomination. If you accept the nomination awards you get an extra 600 CRS points. This means that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next all-program Express Entry draw.

The following programs fall into the Human Capital Category: International Graduates sub-stream. They are not aligned with Express Entry. An applicant must create a profile and register an expression of interest (EOI):

Processing Time: 30-60 days

The following are the minimum requirements needed to be eligible through one of the streams under the Human Capital Category:

Employer Job Offer Category

The following three programs exist under the Employer Job Offer Category

The minimum requirements to be eligible under this program are

Must have a full-time, permanent job offer in an eligible occupation in Ontario
Must have work experience, licence or other authorization that is required to perform the job
Must intend to live in Ontario
Employers must meet additional requirements (business, revenue, employment)

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Business Category

The Business Category is for candidates who wish to start a business or buy an existing business in Ontario. There is currently only one stream under the Business Category – Entrepreneur Stream.

EOI Assessment: Less than 30 days

Application: Depends on how complex the application is.

Minimum Requirements

Must have business experience of 24 months in the last 60 months
Must have a net worth of CAD $800,000 if the business will be located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) OR CAD $400,000 if the business will be located outside the GTA
Must make a minimum personal investment of CAD $600,000 if the business will be located in the GTA OR CAD $200,000 if the business will be located outside the GTA
Must be in control of at least one-third of the equity in the business
Must take a role in the management of the business
The main purpose of investing must be to make profit
Must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, if the business will be in GTA, OR one permanent full-time job if the business will be outside the GTA.
Must meet additional requirements if you plan on purchasing an existing business.

Ontario PNP

Ontario is home to most of Canada’s population . The capital city of Canada Ottawa and its largest city Toronto is also situated here. Canada’s economic, social, and political.