6. Provincial Nomination ProgramsON PNP

OINP: Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream

If you completed your studies outside of Canada, you need to get an Educational Credential Assessment report that proves your education is equivalent to a Canadian degree.

The assessment must be done by one of the following organizations, designated by IRCC.

  • Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
  • International Credential Evaluation Service
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service
  • Medical Council of Canada (professional body for doctors)
  • Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for pharmacists)
  • World Education Services

Please note that from November 21, 2019 until May 19, 2020 the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) will place a temporary pause on its assessment of educational credentials for immigration purposes so that it can address the backlog the organization is experiencing. International Qualifications Assessment Service will process applications for immigration purposes that were submitted and paid for before November 21, 2019.

Each organization charges a different fee and has different processing times. Please check the website of each ECA organization to choose the one that is best for you.

You must give us a copy of the ECA report when you submit your application. The report cannot be more than five years old at the time you submit your application.

We must be able to confirm your ECA results with the organization that completed it. This means you must authorize the organization to share the results with us (the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program).

To authorize us to see your ECA results from:

  • Comparative Education Service, fill out a consent form (PDF)
  • Medical Council of Canada, order a copy of your report and indicate the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program as the recipient of the report
  • World Education Services, order a copy of your Educational Credential Assessment report online and indicate the “Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program” as the recipient of the report

Note: For the other organizations, no additional steps are required.

Please contact the ECA organization directly if you have any specific questions about the process for getting an Educational Credential Assessment or how to authorize and share your ECA results with us.

You must authorize the organization to share the results of your assessment specifically with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Authorizing the organization to share the results of your assessment with IRCC is not sufficient for the purposes of your application to the OINP.

3. Language

You must be able to understand, read, write and speak either English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.

To prove that you have the mandatory language skills, you must take an approved English or French language test before you submit your application to this stream.

The test must not have been taken more than two years from the date you submit your application.

For English tests, we accept:

  • International English Language Testing (IELTS) — we only accept the General Training test
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) — we only accept the General test

For French tests, we accept:

  • Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF)
  • Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Learn more about the English and French language tests

4. Settlement funds

You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.

Note that a family member includes your spouse, common law partner and children under the age of 22, including their children.

You can meet this requirement through one or a combination of any of the following:

  • funds as demonstrated by the balance listed in bank statements, or statements of accounts showing other investments such as non-locked in, fixed term deposits, mutual funds, etc.
  • annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario
  • a job offer in Ontario

Learn more about the amount of money you must have available to apply (see How much money you’ll need).

Example: You have checked how much money you must have available and, based on your family size, you must have $29,000 (CAD). You have a job offer in Ontario with an annual wage of $25,000 and you have a balance of $5,000 in your savings account for a total of $30,000. By using a combination of your job offer and bank statement, you would meet the settlements fund requirement.