
Canada
The Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade has announced the opening of an Express Entry specific provincial nomination program to foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in Ontario. The two newly-created streams will draw from the Express Entry pool, which require qualification under either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
Creation of Two New Streams
Ontario has created two new streams for skilled workers to live and work permanently in Ontario. To qualify for the Human Capital Priorities Stream or the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, candidates must meet certain work experience, education, language and financial criteria. To be selected for the Human Capital Priorities stream, among other criteria, candidates must have a minimum score of 400 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in the Express Entry system. To be selected for the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, among other criteria, candidates must have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level of seven in French and six in English.
Selection Notification
Those selected for either stream will receive a Notification of Interest through the MyCIC account, and will have 45 days to apply for a stream. Once the candidate is notified of the nomination, they will have 30 days to accept the nomination. Once confirmed, the nominee will be eligible for 600 CRS points under the Express Entry system.
Provincial Nominee Program Remains Unchanged
The current streams under Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program will not change as a result of Express Entry, and Express Entry will not affect the processing of existing applications to Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Eligible foreign nationals should benefit from the opening of the Express Entry specific provincial nomination program to Ontario, as it will allow more foreign nationals to permanently reside in Canada under the benefits of the program.
Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional to discuss eligibility criteria under the two new streams.
The alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
© 2015 Fragomen
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Blog post
Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Media mentions
Practice Leader Kathleen O’Donnell highlights how proposed UK immigration reforms could impact businesses in Yorkshire.

Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Wills notes that while full-time, long-term remote work might become less common, many professionals continue to work from abroad through more structured, short-term arrangements.

Video
In this video, Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio walks you through everything you need to know about staying in France after graduation. Whether you’re looking to work, start a business or transition to a new immigration status, this guide covers key immigration pathways for international students.

Media mentions
Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Media mentions
Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Awards
Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Blog post
Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Media mentions
Practice Leader Kathleen O’Donnell highlights how proposed UK immigration reforms could impact businesses in Yorkshire.

Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Wills notes that while full-time, long-term remote work might become less common, many professionals continue to work from abroad through more structured, short-term arrangements.

Video
In this video, Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio walks you through everything you need to know about staying in France after graduation. Whether you’re looking to work, start a business or transition to a new immigration status, this guide covers key immigration pathways for international students.

Media mentions
Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Media mentions
Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Awards
Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."