Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (OINP)

The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is a permanent residence pathway for French-speaking professionals who want to live and work in Ontario outside the province of Quebec. It operates through the Express Entry system under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and is designed to attract bilingual talent who can contribute to the province’s workforce and francophone communities.

Overview

This stream allows Ontario to nominate candidates who speak French fluently, have strong English abilities, and possess the education, work experience, and skills required for in-demand occupations. Invitations are issued through the Express Entry pool, and successful nominees can apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The program supports Ontario’s commitment to promoting French-language services and communities while addressing labour shortages across various sectors such as healthcare, technology, education, and finance.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the OINP French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, applicants must:

  • Have an active Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
  • Have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent credential.
  • Demonstrate French-language proficiency at NCLC 7 or higher in all abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing) – this means on the TEF Canada, applicants must score at least 249 in listening, 310 in speaking, 207 in reading, and 310 in writing.
  • Demonstrate English-language proficiency at CLB 6 or higher in all abilities.
  • Intend to live and work in Ontario.
  • Have sufficient settlement funds and show the intention to settle successfully in the province.
  • Possess relevant work experience required by the federal program they are applying under.

A job offer is not required, but having Canadian work experience or a professional background aligned with Ontario’s labour market needs can strengthen an application.

How the Stream Works

Ontario regularly searches the federal Express Entry pool to identify candidates who meet its criteria. Those selected receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario through their Express Entry account. Once notified, the candidate has 45 days to submit a complete application to the OINP online portal.

If approved, Ontario issues a provincial nomination certificate, which adds 600 points to the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System score, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

Recent Trends

Throughout 2025, Ontario has continued to issue invitations under this stream as part of its broader strategy to increase francophone immigration outside Quebec. CRS cut-offs for OINP French-speaking draws have generally remained moderate, often ranging between 350 and 500 depending on federal pool conditions.

Applicants with strong French, solid English, and relevant Canadian or international work experience have the best chances of selection.

Benefits of the Program

  • No job offer required to qualify.
  • Faster pathway to permanent residence through Express Entry.
  • 600 additional CRS points after provincial nomination.
  • Opportunities for skilled bilingual candidates in diverse Ontario industries.
  • Support for francophone immigration and community growth across the province.

Summary

The OINP French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is a practical and accessible immigration option for French-speaking professionals seeking permanent residence in Ontario. It rewards strong language skills in both French and English and offers a straightforward path to settlement for qualified individuals who wish to live and contribute to Ontario’s francophone and bilingual communities.