Ontario's EOI system: A Detailed Analysis
On April 28, 2021, Ontario opened a new EOI system for Foreign Worker and International Student streams under the Employer Job Offer Category.
On April 28, 2021, Ontario opened a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the following two streams under the Employer Job Offer Category.
Foreign Worker
International Student
The OINP expects to open the EOI system to the following programs in the near future.
Employer Job Offer:
In-Demand Skills
Human Capital:
Masters Graduate Stream
Phd Graduate Stream
What is the EOI system?
EOI is simply Expression of Interest. Applicants will firstly register the EOI system to enter the selection pool. The applicant will be given a score based on his/her answers. Ontario will then invite candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.
Before, one could only register when the OINP opened its online portal. Now, applicants can register an EOI profile at any time. The EOI registration is valid for up to 12 months or until the applicant receives an invitation. After 12 months, the EOI profile will be deleted automatically.
How to register an EOI profile?
Firstly, you need to make sure that you are eligible for the provincial Nomination Program by reading the applicant requirements at https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp
Secondly, create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal.
You can only register one EOI profile at any given time, but you can register an expression of interest for one or more streams.
You can update or withdraw your profile at any time.
EOI Scoring Rule
Ontario ranks EOI profiles based on your answers.
The OINP scoring system is different depending on which stream you apply for.
Points are awarded based on: NOC Code, Canadian work experience, wage, education, official language ability, the region in which you study or work, and the labor markets needs.
Job offer: NOC skill level
(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)
NOC Skill Level A – 10 points
NOC Skill Level B – 8 points
NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
NOC Skill Level D – 0 points
Job offer: NOC type
(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)
NOC Type 0,1,2,3,9 – 10 points
NOC Type 4,5,6,7,8 – 5 points
Job offer: wage
(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)
$40 per hour or higher – 10 points
$20 to $39.99 per hour – 5 points
Less than $20 per hour – 0 points
Canadian work experience: length
(Cumulative)
12 Months or more – 4 points
Less than 12 months – 0 points
Canadian work experience: 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
Canadian work experience: earnings history
$40k or more earnings in a year – 3 points
Less than $40k earnings in a year – 0 points
Highest level of education
(Only applied to International Student stream)
PhD – 10 points
Masters – 8 points
Bachelors or equivalent – 6 points
College diploma or trade certificate – 5 points
Less than college or trade certificate – 0 points
Field of study
(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)
Engineering – 10 points
Health care – 10 points
Math 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
(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)
More than one Canadian credential – 10 points
One Canadian credential – 5 points
Official language ability
(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)
CLB 9 or higher – 10 points
CLB 8 – 6 points
CLB 7 – 4 points
CLB 6 or lower – 0 points
Knowledge of official languages
(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)
2 Official Languages – 10 points
1 Official Language – 5 points
Regional immigration: location of job Offer
(Not applied to Masters or PhD streams.)
Outside GTA – 10 points
Inside GTA – 6 points
Regional immigration: location of study
(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)
Outside GTA – 10 points
Inside GTA – 6 points
Strategic priorities
(To address immediate labor market needs in the province or a region of the province.)
As determined by OINP on the expression of interest system invitation to apply webpage – 10 points (if in use)
