Ontario In-Demand Skills

Talent Meets Opportunity

The In-Demand Skills Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Ontario is designed to attract skilled workers who have experience in occupations that are in high demand in the province. This program provides a pathway to permanent residency in Canada for individuals who have the skills and experience that Ontario needs to support its economy and communities.

The In-Demand Skills Stream is for skilled workers in specific occupations, such as truck drivers, construction managers, and software engineers, etc. To be eligible for this stream, applicants must have at least 9 months of full-time work experience in one of the eligible occupations and meet other eligibility criteria, such as language proficiency and education level.

The In-Demand Skills PNP in Ontario is a great opportunity for skilled workers who want to live and work in Ontario and gain permanent residency status in Canada. Successful applicants can enjoy the benefits of living in a diverse, dynamic province with a strong economy and a high quality of life.

• For foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation at TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This stream is open to workers in and outside of Canada.
• Must first register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and receive an invitation to apply.
• Apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
• Next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). (Provincial Nominee Program-Non Express Entry). IRCC make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.

Job offer requirements

• Full-time and permanent
  • 1560 hours a year (30 hrs a week)
  • Must have no end date.
• Eligible occupation -skilled occupation at TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3
• Median wage level
• Position is urgently necessary to employer’s business
• Work based in Ontario

Eligible occupation

1. The position offered can be in any location in Ontario;

National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 4 or 5:

• NOC 44101 – Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
• NOC 65202 – Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
• NOC 75110 – Construction trades helpers and labourers
• NOC 84120 – Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
• NOC 85100 – Livestock labourers
• NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers
• NOC 85103 – Nursery and greenhouse labourers
• NOC 94141 – Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

2. The position offered must be outside the Greater Toronto Area

National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 4 or 5:

• NOC 94100 – Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
• NOC 94105 – Metalworking and forging machine operators
• NOC 94106 – Machining tool operators
• NOC 94107 – Machine operators of other metal products
• NOC 94110 – Chemical plant machine operators
• NOC 94111 – Plastics processing machine operators
• NOC 94124 – Woodworking machine operators
• NOC 94132 – Industrial sewing machine operators
• NOC 94140 – Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
• NOC 94201 – Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
• NOC 94204 – Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
• NOC 94213 – Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
• NOC 94219 – Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
• NOC 95102 – Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities

Application requirements

Employer requirements

General requirements

• have been in active business for at least three years prior to submitting your application.
• have business premises in Ontario.
• have no outstanding orders made against them under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• demonstrate that enough effort was made to recruit a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident prior to offering the position to applicant unless:
  • the applicant already has a valid work permit to work in Ontario.
  • the employer has a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the position.

Employer requirements

• Greater Toronto Area – minimum of $1,000,000 in total gross annual revenue
• outside the Greater Toronto Area – minimum of $500,000 in total gross annual revenue

Full-time employee requirements

• Greater Toronto Area – at least five full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Outside the Greater Toronto Area – at least three full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent resident.