If you are applying for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), there are some new requirements you need to know.
New OINP Requirements:
1. Applicant Consent Form Requirement
As of February 26, 2024, the Ontario Government has introduced a new requirement for all applications submitted under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This requirement is the inclusion of the Applicant Consent Form.
This form is super important because without it, your application won’t be complete, and you won’t get anywhere.
Here are the key details you need to know:
What is the Applicant Consent Form?
The Applicant Consent Form is a document that must be completed and submitted along with your application for an OINP nomination.
Mandatory Completion:
To ensure the smooth processing of your application, the Applicant Consent Form must be:
- Completed accurately
- Dated correctly
- Signed by the primary applicant
- Signed by the spouse and dependents, if applicable
Submission Process:
The completed Applicant Consent Form should be uploaded along with the other required documents in your application. Failure to submit the form correctly may result in your application being returned as incomplete, and your fee will be refunded.
Representative Limitation:
If you have a representative assisting you with the application, please note that they are not permitted to sign the Applicant Consent Form on your behalf. The form must be signed by the applicant personally.
Time of Form Completion:
You should complete the Applicant Consent Form only after you have received an invitation to apply or a notification of interest.
Removal of PDF Attestation Form:
It is important to be aware that the PDF Attestation Form is no longer required for applications made under an OINP expression of interest system stream.
Updated Program Materials and Website:
To align with this new requirement, the program materials and website pages related to the OINP have been updated to include information about the Applicant Consent Form.
Document Checklist:
If you are considering applying to the OINP, we strongly advise reviewing the stream-specific document checklist thoroughly. This will help ensure that you submit all mandatory documents and meet the updated requirements.
Change to Eligible Tests for English Language Proficiency
In alignment with recent changes to federal policy, the OINP now accepts the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core from Pearson Canada, Inc. as proof of English proficiency.
This change applies to all OINP streams that require evidence of English language proficiency and for OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) points claims. The inclusion of the PTE as an additional accepted test became effective on January 30, 2024.
If you’ve registered an EOI and have not received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), consider updating your EOI if you have taken the PTE.
However, it’s important to note that if you received an ITA or Notification of Interest from the OINP before January 30, 2024, this program change will not impact you.
Here’s a chart that shows what PTE scores are equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). This can help you understand how well you need to do on the test:
Make sure to check the updated program materials and website pages to stay on top of these changes when you’re applying. If you’re unsure about anything, it’s always good to double-check!
Remember, these changes come into effect on February 26, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the OINP for assistance.
