How does the scoring system for Ontario's new Workforce Priority Program work?

Under Ontario’s new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), applicants for permanent residence must compete through a points-based system—similar to the traditional provincial nomination process—in which the highest-scoring applicants are ranked and selected for the application. 

The difference lies in how the scoring factors work.

In this article, I'll explain in simple terms how points are assigned based on your job or labor market once you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in this category.

The EOI Registry

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is a formal statement indicating that you wish to be considered by the province for permanent residency.

In this process, an eligible employer in Ontario submits a job offer for a position through the Employer Portal. Upon submission, the candidate receives a Job Offer ID and has up to 30 calendar days to register their EOI.

Based on this information, the system will calculate your score automatically using the factors listed below.

Scoring Based on Job Level (NOC TEER Categories)

To understand this factor, let's remember that the NOC (National Occupational Classification) is the system Canada uses to classify all jobs based on their tasks and the level of training or education they require. 

Within this system, there are TEER levels (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities), which range from 0 to 5.

Points According to the NOC/TEER

• TEER 0 and 1 — 9 points: Highly skilled occupations (e.g., finance managers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, architects, or chief technology officers).

• TEER 2 and 3 — 6 points: Technical and intermediate-skilled occupations (e.g., electricians, systems technicians, nursing assistants, chefs, or construction supervisors).

• TEER 4 and 5 — 0 points: Low-skilled occupations (e.g., cleaning assistants, cashiers, waste collectors, or restaurant support staff).

Points Based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC)

This category includes a wide variety of jobs that fall under the same general field, regardless of their level of specialization. 

• Category 3 — 10 points: Occupations in the health and medical care sector (doctors, nurses, specialists).

• Category 7 — 8 points: Trades , transportation, machine operators, and construction (mechanics, electricians, drivers).
• Category 2 — 6 points: Natural and applied sciences , engineering, and technology (engineers, software developers, chemists).
• Categories 0, 1, 4, 8, and 9 — 4 points: Management , business, administration, education, law, natural resources, and production (managers, accountants, teachers, lawyers).
• Categories 5 and 6 — 2 points: Art, culture, sports, sales, and personal services (designers, chefs, hairdressers).

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Hourly wage 

The system awards more points the higher the hourly rate, regardless of the field of work or the position's NOC code. The only exception to this rule is that it does not apply to self-employed physicians. 

• $40 per hour or more — 15 points.
• From $35 to $39.99 per hour — 12 points.
• From $30 to $34.99 per hour — 10 points.
• From $25 to $29.99 per hour — 8 points.
• From $20 to $24.99 per hour — 5 points.
• Less than $20 per hour — 0 points.

Work Experience in Ontario

For this factor, the province evaluates its cumulative time worked in the region. 

Depending on whether you are applying for a job opening or as a self-employed physician, the points are allocated as follows:

1. Applicants with a job offer 

The system will give priority based on how long you have been working in the same position that is being offered to you. 

• More than 2 years in the position offered — 18 points. 
• 13 to 24 months in the position offered — 15 points. 
• 6 to 12 months in the position offered — 12 points. 
• Less than 6 months (or not currently in the position) — 0 points.

If you have not yet been in that specific position for 6 months, Ontario will assess your overall work experience gained within the province as follows: 

• More than 2 years of work experience in Ontario — 12 points. 
• 13 to 24 months of work experience in Ontario — 9 points. 
• 6 to 12 months of work experience in Ontario — 6 points. 
• Less than 6 months (or not working in the province) — 0 points.

2. Self-employed doctors 

If you practice medicine independently, the score is assigned directly based on your cumulative years of practice in the province: 

• 2 years or more of medical practice in Ontario — 18 points. 
• 13 to 24 months of medical practice in Ontario — 15 points. 
• 6 to 12 months of medical practice in Ontario — 12 points. 
• Less than 6 months of medical practice in Ontario — 0 points.

Canadian Work Experience: Income History

If you have already filed your first tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and met the minimum threshold, you can claim the points. 

• Income of $70,000 or more in a year — 8 points.
• From $50,000 to $69,999 — 6 points.
• From $30,000 to $49,999 — 4 points.
• Income of less than $30,000 per year — 0 points.

This factor is based on an assessment notice issued by the Canada Revenue Agency within the past 5 years.

Legal Status in Canada: Your Current Permit Affects Your Score

• With a valid work permit — 10 points: Ontario awards the maximum score because it recognizes that you are already contributing to its economy and performing your duties without any integration issues.
• With a valid study permit — 5 points: Ontario recognizes your legal connection to the Canadian education system.
• Without a valid work or study permit — 0 points: This item does not count toward your score because it means you are applying from abroad or are in Canada solely as a visitor (tourist).

Highest level of education attained 

To be eligible for any of these requirements, your education must have been completed in Canada, or you must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by a designated organization (such as WES or ICAS) if you studied outside of Canada. 

• Doctorate or degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry — 10 points.
• Master's Degree — 8 points.
• A university certificate or diploma at a level higher than a bachelor's degree — 6 points.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent — 6 points.
• Post-secondary certificate from an Ontario college — 5 points .
• University certificate or diploma at a level below a bachelor's degree — 5 points .
• Certificate or diploma from a high school, CEGEP, or other non-university institution that is not an Ontario High School Graduate Certificate — 5 points.
• Certificate or diploma in an apprenticeship or vocational training program — 5 points.
• Less than a college degree or vocational training certificate — 0 points.

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Number of Canadian educational credentials

The credential must be a postsecondary degree issued by an eligible Canadian institution, with a minimum duration of one year when completed on a full-time basis.

• More than one Canadian credential — 10 points.
• A Canadian ID card — 5 points.
• No Canadian credentials — 0 points.

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Proficiency in the official language (English or French)

To demonstrate your language proficiency, you must submit an official test such as the IELTS or CELPIP for English, and the TEF or TCF for French.

IMPORTANT! Your final score is not calculated based on the overall average of the exam, but rather on the lowest score you receive among the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

English and French Exams

If you have taken both the English and French exams, you will receive points based on the exam with the higher CLB level.

• CLB 9 or higher — 15 points.
• CLB 8–12 points.
• CLB 7–8 points.
• CLB 6 — 4 points.
• CLB 5 or lower — 0 points.

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Knowledge of the official languages

To earn points for two official languages, you must achieve at least a CLB 6 level in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) on both tests. 

• 2 official languages — 10 points.
• 1 official language — 5 points.

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Points Based on Job Location

The allocation of points for this factor is intended to encourage residency outside major urban centers. The location that determines the score depends on the type of application:

• Applicants with a job offer: They are evaluated based on the physical location of the workplace specified by the employer in the offer submitted to the system.
• Self-employed physicians: This is determined based on the address of the practice in Ontario registered under the billing number for your OHIP account.

Points by region:

• Northern Ontario — 15 points.
• This one from Ontario — 10 points.
• Central Ontario outside the GTA — 10 points.
• Southwestern Ontario — 10 points.
• Within the Toronto metropolitan area (excluding Toronto) — 5 points.
• Toronto — 0 points.

Recommendations

If you receive an invitation to apply, you must submit specific documents to support each scoring factor you indicated and for which you received points. 

Scoring factors are not the same as selection criteria. You must meet all the selection criteria and submit the required documentation along with your application.

For more information, click on the official website of the Ontario Workforce Priority Program.

If you would like to schedule an immigration consultation with us, click here.

With love,

Immiland Canada