Ontario Launches New Pilot Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program. This initiative is aimed at addressing workforce needs in four rural and northern regions of Ontario.

Program Duration

• Start Date: January 2, 2025
• End Date: December 31, 2025

Targeted Regions

The pilot program will focus on attracting up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to the following regions:

1. Lanark
2. Leeds and Grenville
3. Sarnia-Lambton
4. Thunder Bay

Pathway to Permanent Residence

Successful candidates will:

1. Receive a provincial nomination from the OINP.
2. Use this nomination to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR).

Eligibility and Program Details

This new pilot program is designed to address regional labor shortages and attract skilled immigrants to bolster local economies. Details regarding eligibility requirements, application processes, and criteria for selection will be outlined by the OINP.

Stay tuned for further updates as the OINP provides more specifics on the REDI program.

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How will this new program function?

The Regional Economic Development Incentive (REDI) pilot program, introduced through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), aims to address critical labor shortages in high-demand sectors while promoting economic growth in targeted regions of Ontario.

Key Features of the REDI Pilot Program:

• Streams Used: Applications will be processed through the OINP’s three Employer Job Offer streams: Foreign Worker Stream International Student Stream In-Demand Skills Stream
• Allocation: Each participating region will be allocated 200 additional nominations for candidates in these streams.
• Target Sectors: The program focuses on healthcare, technology, and skilled trades (e.g., construction) to fill in-demand roles.

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the REDI pilot program, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams, as outlined below:

1. Job Offer Requirements: A qualifying job offer must come from an employer in Ontario. The employer must be located in one of the identified regions targeted by the REDI pilot.
2. Residency Intent: Candidates must demonstrate their intention to reside in Ontario.
3. Occupational Licensing: If the job falls within a regulated occupation, the candidate must be licensed or authorized to practice in that field.

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Objectives of the REDI Program

The REDI pilot program seeks to:

• Address Labor Gaps: Tackle labor shortages in high-demand sectors.
• Boost Regional Growth: Support economic development in specific Ontario regions.
• Enhance Local Workforce: Focus on attracting skilled newcomers to meet local industry needs.

This innovative program provides newcomers with opportunities to integrate into Ontario's workforce while supporting regional economic priorities.

Here are the eligibility criteria for each stream.

Employer job offer: Foreign Worker Stream

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Requirements for Meeting Work Experience Criteria in the Foreign Worker Stream

The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has specific requirements for candidates, depending on whether the occupation is regulated or non-regulated.

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Work Experience Requirements

Regulated Professions

If the job is in a regulated profession requiring a mandatory license or authorization:

• The candidate must hold a valid license or authorization from the appropriate regulatory authority in Ontario.

Non-Regulated Professions

If the job does not require a license or authorization:

• The candidate must have at least two years of cumulative work experience (in the past five years) in the same occupation as the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code of the job offer.
• Work experience may be full-time or part-time, provided it meets the equivalent of two years' full-time hours.

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Employer Job Offer Requirements

Position Necessity

The job offer must meet the following conditions:

• The position must be essential to the employer’s business operations.
• It should directly support the employer’s current business activities and contribute to business growth or the maintenance of ongoing activities.

Wage Requirements

The job must offer wages that meet or exceed the median wage for the specific job title, NOC code, and location.

• Median wage information can be verified on Canada's National Job Bank website by searching the job title, NOC code, and work location.

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By ensuring compliance with these guidelines, candidates can enhance their eligibility for the OINP's Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.

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Employer job offer: International Student Stream

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Education and Wage Requirements for the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

Education Requirements

To qualify under this stream, candidates must meet the following education criteria:

• Program Completion: The education program must have been completed at an eligible Canadian institution in Ontario within the two years preceding the application.
• Eligible Education Levels: Undergraduate Degree or Diploma: Must be at least two years in length when pursued full-time. Graduate Degree or Diploma: Must be at least one year in length when pursued full-time. College Graduate Certificate: Must be at least one year in length when pursued full-time. University Graduate Certificate: Must be at least one year in length when pursued full-time.

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Wage Requirements

Candidates must ensure their job offer meets the following wage criteria:

1. Low Wage Level for the Occupation: The wage must meet or exceed the low wage level for the occupation, as per Canada’s Job Bank. Candidates can check the low wage level by entering the NOC code, occupation title, and the location of work on the Job Bank website.
2. Current Position Wage (if already employed in the position): The job offer wage must be equal to or greater than: The wage currently paid by the employer for the same position, and The low wage level for the occupation as per the Job Bank.

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Meeting these requirements ensures candidates align with the OINP’s eligibility standards under the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream.

Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

Additional Requirements and Resources for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

Eligible Occupations

Here is a comprehensive list of eligible occupations under this stream. Candidates should review the list to confirm their occupation qualifies them for the program.

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Education Credential Assessment (ECA)

Candidates with education completed outside Canada must provide an ECA report as part of their application.

• The ECA verifies that their international education credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards.
• Accepted ECA providers include organizations designated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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Additional Resources

For detailed information on eligibility criteria, requirements, and application processes, visit the official webpage of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This page offers a comprehensive guide to ensure applicants meet all necessary standards before applying.

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Background of the REDI Pilot Program

The Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program builds on the success of the OINP Regional Pilot, which concluded in 2020. This earlier initiative demonstrated the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) commitment to addressing critical labour shortages through skilled immigration.

OINP Regional Pilot Overview

The Regional Pilot, launched before REDI, allocated approximately 300 additional provincial nominations through the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams. Participating regions included:

• Chatham-Kent
• Cornwall
• Belleville/Quinte West

By 2020, the program successfully met its allocation target and was deemed a success by the OINP.

Economic Impact and Goals

The OINP predicts that?aligning skilled newcomers with professions in their fields of study?could significantly boost Ontario’s economy. It estimates this alignment could add up to?100 billion CAD to Ontario's GDP?over the next five years, further underscoring the importance of targeted skilled immigration programs like REDI.

This approach reflects Ontario’s strategic vision to address workforce demands while leveraging immigration as a tool for regional and economic development.

For more information visit: https://pioverseas.com/