The Ontario Expression of Interest (EOI) System

Ontario now uses an expression of interest (EOI) system to manage applications through a number of immigration streams. This means you must register an expression of interest to tell Ontario that you wish to be invited to apply for a nomination.

An overview of Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) System

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)uses an expression of interest (EOI) system for the following streams:

The Employer Job Offer stream

• The International Worker stream;
• The International Student stream;
• The In-Demand Skills stream.

The Human Capital stream

• The Master’s Graduate stream;
• The PhD Graduate stream.

This means that if you are interested in immigrating through any of these streams, you must register an expression of interest (EOI) first.

When registering, you provide the OINP with information about yourself such as education, language ability, Canadian and foreign work experience, income history, as well as where you intend to settle in Ontario, and whether you have a job offer in Ontario.

Based on this information, you are awarded a ranking score. Ontario regularly invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

How do I register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the OINP?

Step 1: Create a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal athere.

Step 2: Make sure you are eligible by reading the candidate requirements for the stream you are interested in.

Step 3: Register an expression of interest (EOI) for one or more streams.

You must also meet the OINP’sattestation requirement. The Attestation form should be signed on the date you submit or update your expression of interest (EOI). This should be done before receiving an invitation to apply.

You may register an expression of interest (EOI) for only one stream at a time. Registering an expression of interest (EOI) is free. If you receive an invitation to apply, you must pay an application fee. These fees depend on the stream you apply to.

Once you have created an expression of interest (EOI) profile, you may return and update the information as long as you have not received an invitation to apply and the expression of interest (EOI) has not been deleted.

Your expression of interest (EOI) is valid for 12 months, or until you receive an invitation to apply or withdraw the registration. If you are still interested in applying after 12 months, you must register a new expression of interest (EOI).

What happens after I register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the OINP

When you submit an expression of interest (EOI), you are placed in the OINP stream selection pool. From time to time, Ontario invites the highest-ranked candidates in the pool to apply for a provincial nomination. The province ranks all candidates who have registered an expression of interest, or ranks candidates with particular attributes.

If successful, you receive an invitation to apply through theOINP e-Filing Portal. You may then apply for a provincial nomination.

Note that receiving an invitation to apply does not guarantee that you will be nominated. You must demonstrate that you meet all the criteria for the stream you apply to. This includes the conditions you declared when first registering your interest.

Note that if you provide false, inaccurate or misleading information on the expression of interest (EOI), your application will be refused.

How do I apply if I receive an invitation?

If you receive an invitation to apply, you must do so within 14 calendar days. Follow the three steps below to apply.

Step 1:Visit this website to reach theOINP e-Filing Portal;

Step 2:Log into your account as a returning user;

Step 3:Click the file number link above from the My Applications page to start the application.

When applying, make sure you are ready to scan and upload supporting documents, and prepared to make payment. Note that you may complete the application later.

After submitting the application, you may check the status of the application on the OINP e-Filing Portal.

If you receive a nomination, you will be able to apply for permanent residence throughImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the final decision.

Expression of Interest (EOI) scoring factors

Ontario uses theNational Occupational Classification (NOC)to award points for your job offer and work experience.

Section 1: The job offer

You are awarded points depending on the NOC skill level, the NOC type and the wage. These do not apply to the Master’s Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.

NOC skill level:

• NOC Skill Level A – 10 points
• NOC Skill Level B – 8 points
• NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
• NOC Skill Level D – 0 points

NOC type:

• NOC types 0, 1, 2, 3, 9 – 10 points
• NOC types 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – 5 points

Wage:

• CAD 40 an hour or more – 10 points
• CAD 20 to 39.99 an hour – 5 points
• Below CAD 20 an hour – 0 points

Section 2: Canadian work experience

You are awarded points for the period over which Canadian work experience was accumulated, the NOC skill level of the Canadian work experience and your income history.

Period accumulated:

• 12 months or more – 4 points
• Less than 12 months – 0 points

NOC skill level:

• NOC Skill Level A – 3 points
• NOC Skill Level B – 0 points
• NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
• NOC Skill Level D – 0 points

Income history:

• Income of CAD 40,000 or more in the year – 3 points
• Income below CAD 40,000 in the year – 0 points

Section 3: Education

Highest level of education

This section does not apply to the International Student stream.

• Doctorate – 10 points
• Master’s – 8 points
• Bachelor’s or the equivalent – 6 points
• A college diploma or trade certificate – 5 points
• Below a college diploma or trade certificate – 0 points

Field of study:

This section does not apply to the International Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.

• Engineering – 10 points
• Health care – 10 points
• Mathematics and computer science – 9 points
• Business and administration – 7 points
• Trades – 7 points
• Social, legal, education and science – 6 points
• Arts and humanities – 5 points

Canadian education experience:

This section does not apply to the International Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.

• More than one Canadian credential – 10 points
• One Canadian credential – 5 points

Section 4: Language

You are awarded points depending on language ability and knowledge. This section does not apply to the International Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.

Official language ability

• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)9 or above – 10 points
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 – 6 points
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 – 4 points
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 6 or below – 0 points

Knowledge of official languages

• 2 official languages – 10 points
• 1 official language – 5 points

Section 5: Regional immigration

Location of the job offer

(Does not apply to the Master’s or PhD streams.)

• Outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – 10 points
• Within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – 6 points

Location of study

(Does not apply to the International Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)

• Outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – 10 points
• Within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – 6 points

Section 6: Strategic priorities

Ontario may award a further 10 points to meet provincial labour market needs. This is decided by the OINP on the Invitation to Apply page.