OINP has made few temporary changes in Ontario PNP nomination process due to COVID-19 to ensure the smooth processing in nomination applications from May 12, 2020.
Ontario is the most favorite destination of immigrants and Canada’s largest province having more than 14 million residents.
Every year, it attracts more and more to new immigrants to settle in and experience to live and work in the diversified cultural province through express entry program and other programs.
On March 17, 2020, the Government of Ontario declared an emergency to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of all individuals and families in Ontario. This Declaration of Emergency was extended on April 14 and remains in effect.
Ontario stated in recent changes that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) continues to respond to inquiries, process applications, and issue nominations despite the coronavirus pandemic emergency.
Notifications of interest (NOIs) will be continued to issue under Ontario’s express entry streams. The program will also continue to review and rank expressions of interest and issue invitations to apply under the OINP entrepreneur stream.
Ontario recognizes that applicants may experience delays obtaining information from third-parties so if they are unable to submit a required document due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please continue to submit the application along with a detailed explanation letter as to why you are unable to provide a required document and any supporting evidence.
Impact on OINP Employer job offer streams
OINP intends to reach out to employers to assess the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on employment conditions and the applicants will be contacted if the OINP requires further information regarding their application following this review.
In order to be nominated, an applicant must have a job offer for an employment position that has been approved by the OINP. In order to be approved the employment position must meet all prescribed employer and position criteria. This includes demonstrating that the job offer is for a permanent, full-time position that meets minimum program wage criteria (median or low wage).
If an employer indicates that a job offer/employment position has been affected by a COVID-19 related temporary layoff but confirms that it otherwise continues to meet program criteria (permanent, full-time, meets program wage requirement, etc.) Ontario will hold the application for a period of up to 90 days.
Nominees and employers with approved employment positions were advised in their approval letters that the approval was conditional upon the nominee continuing to be employed in the approved employment position throughout the nomination period (i.e. until permanent residence). This means that the nominee’s terms of employment must remain consistent throughout the nomination period and includes:
- employer
- position title and duties
- wage
- hours of work
- work location
Impact on OINP entrepreneur stream applications
If you have received an invitation to apply to the entrepreneur stream, Ontario will temporarily extend the 90-day submission deadline and contact by email.
If the applicants have already submitted a completed application to the OINP entrepreneur stream and they are experiencing challenges regarding your specific requirements, please send an email to [email protected]. Please provide your file number, a detailed explanation of the challenges you are facing, and any additional supporting information or documentation. For example, if you:
- are experiencing delays obtaining information that relates to the monitoring of your application
- have had to temporarily close, suspend, or materially alter your business operations
- are temporarily unable to fulfill your hiring and employer requirements