Immigrating to Ontario as a French-Speaking Skilled Worker
Lucas is a French citizen residing in Canada with a work permit. He works as a French teacher in Ottawa, Ontario. Lucas plans to make Canada his permanent home and is particularly interested in the OINP options. He’s heard that Ontario prioritizes French-speaking individuals, but he’s unsure about the specifics. Is there a program or list of criteria that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has for French-speaking individuals?
Table of contents
What is OINP?
Before delving into OINP for French-speaking candidates, it’s essential to appreciate the unique attributes of Ontario. Not only does Ontario house the national capital, Ottawa, but it also boasts the vibrant metropolis of Toronto. While significantly contributing to Canada’s economy, Ontario also showcases a wealth of natural beauty with its vast freshwater lakes and dense forests. The province is a melting pot of cultures, with Toronto standing out as a global exemplar of multiculturalism. To nurture its economic growth and maintain its cultural diversity, Ontario is always on the lookout for dedicated professionals and a skilled workforce.
While many federal immigrants choose to settle in Ontario, the province also provides its immigration pathways through the Provincial Nominee Program, known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program or OINP. The OINP currently offers the following streams:
- Non-Express Entry
- Employer Job Offer:
- Post Graduate:
- Entrepreneur Stream
- Express Entry:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Keep in mind this list is subject to change.
Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream – Eligibility Requirements
OINP has designed Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream to attract more French-speaking people. Here are the eligibility requirements:
Work Experience:
- You must qualify for one of the following federal immigration options.
Education
- You must hold a Bachelor’s degree or more in Canada or another country. However, for foreign education, you must receive an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved organization.
Language Proficiency:
- Proficiency in both English and French is a must.
- English – A minimum of CLB 6 based on IELTS or CEOPIP exams (please see the following table).
- French – A minimum of NCLC 7 based on TEF or TCF exams (please see the following table).
| Test | Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| CELPIP-G | English | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| IELTS General | English | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| TEF Canada | French | 310 | 249 | 207 | 310 |
| TCF Canada | French | 10 | 458 | 453 | 10 |
Settlement Funds:
- Adequate funds to support oneself and dependent family members upon settling in Canada. Of course, You could verify this requirement through personal funds, annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario, or a job offer in Ontario. Moreover, the minimum settlement funds are based on LICO-6 months.
Intention to Live in Ontario:
- A genuine intention to reside in Ontario post-permanent residence grant, demonstrated by various ties to the province such as previous work, job offers, studies, property ownership, professional affiliations, or personal relationships.
Other matters
- If you live in Canada, you must have legal status.
- If applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must also meet the minimum 67-point requirement.
Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream – The Process
Assuming you qualify, you must take the following steps:
- Enter the pool of Express Entry. Of course, you must meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry. Otherwise, the system will reject your application.
- When entering the pool of Express Entry, select Ontario as your destination. Alternatively, you may select All Provinces and Territories.
- Wait for a Notice of Interest (NOI) from the province.
- You have 45 calendar days to create an account on the OINP website and then submit all necessary information. Moreover, you must pay the processing fee of $1500 (subject to change).
- If the province confirms your nomination, you’ll receive up to 600 CRS points toward your Express Entry.
- The Federal Government will issue an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- You must complete your Express Entry application and submit it in 60 days.
- If everything goes well, you’ll become a permanent resident.
Certainly, numerous challenges may arise. Thus, engaging a professional for assistance would be in your best interest.
Let us help!
Whether you are applying for OINP as a French-speaking person or if you choose another option, we are there for you. Thus, please fill out our assessment form or book a consultation session. However, if you face immigration issues, fill out the following form.
Would you please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada? We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al ParsaiAl Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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