The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has Express Entry-linked streams, including the Human Capital Priorities stream. Ontario uses this stream to select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who have strong education, language, and skilled work experience.
This is not a separate federal program. You must first have an Express Entry profile, then Ontario may send you a Notification of Interest (NOI). You can’t apply without an NOI.
What is the Human Capital Priorities stream?
Human Capital Priorities (HCP) is one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams. Ontario’s ministry presentation explains that Ontario Express Entry streams include:
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Human Capital Priorities
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Skilled Trades
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French-Speaking Skilled Worker
HCP is used for candidates who meet Ontario’s needs and can apply from inside or outside Canada (if you are inside Canada, you must have legal status).
Do you need a job offer for HCP?
Usually no. Ontario’s ministry presentation describes the Human Capital streams as designed for people with the skills and experience Ontario needs, and notes that a job offer is not required for these streams.
Important update: IRCC removed CRS points for job offers on March 25, 2025. So a job offer usually won’t raise your CRS the way older guides claim.
Who can qualify (minimum requirements you should understand)
Ontario selects from Express Entry, so you must meet Express Entry eligibility first (FSW or CEC). Then you must meet Ontario’s HCP rules and the requirements of the specific NOI draw.
Ontario’s ministry example for HCP shows these common requirements:
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Skilled work experience: at least 1 year continuous full-time in a skilled occupation (TEER 0–3) and obtained within the last 5 years (Ontario draw rules can be stricter than federal rules)
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Education: a Canadian-equivalent bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, proven by an ECA if studied outside Canada
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Language: CLB 7 or higher in English or French
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Settlement funds: enough funds to support yourself (and dependants if applicable)
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Express Entry profile: active profile and Ontario selected as your region of interest
ECA validity (don’t miss this)
IRCC says your ECA must be less than 5 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application.
How Ontario selects people (NOIs, CRS ranges, and targeted draws)
Ontario does not invite everyone who is eligible. Ontario posts NOI rounds and often lists:
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date of the search
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number of NOIs issued
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CRS score range
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whether it was a targeted draw (tech, health, etc.)
So there is no fixed CRS score for HCP. It depends on Ontario’s needs and the draw.
Step-by-step: HCP application process (with the deadlines)
1) Create and keep an Express Entry profile active
You need a valid profile first. Ontario can only find you if your profile is active and accurate.
2) Receive a Notification of Interest (NOI)
Ontario sends the NOI through your IRCC account.
3) Apply to OINP within 45 calendar days
Ontario’s NOI page states you must submit your OINP application within 45 calendar days of receiving the NOI.
4) If nominated, accept the nomination in Express Entry within 30 days
IRCC says you have 30 calendar days to accept or reject a nomination, and if you accept, you get 600 additional CRS points (this helps you get invited).
5) Receive an ITA and apply for PR within 60 days
IRCC says if you don’t apply within 60 days, the ITA expires and your profile is removed from the pool.
Fees and processing times
OINP fee
Ontario’s “Applying to the OINP” page lists the application fee as $1,500 (always confirm the fee shown in your portal at payment time).
IRCC PR fees
IRCC’s fee list shows $1,525 for economic immigration (processing $950 + right of PR $575).
Biometrics are typically $85 per person (family maximum may apply).
Processing times
Use IRCC’s processing time tool for the most current estimate.
Required documents (fix your list)
Remove these from your old list (they are not for this stream):
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“Endorsement Certificate from an Atlantic Province” (AIP only)
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“Language test results” is correct, but don’t list AIP items like endorsements
Common documents for HCP include:
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NOI letter + Express Entry profile number/details
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Passport and status documents (if you are in Canada)
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Language test results (CLB 7+)
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ECA or Canadian degree (bachelor’s or higher equivalent)
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Work reference letters showing duties, hours, dates, and NOC alignment
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Proof of settlement funds (especially for FSW)
FAQ
Can I apply to HCP without an NOI?
No. You must receive a Notification of Interest first, and then apply within 45 days.
What CRS score do I need?
There is no single minimum. Ontario publishes different CRS ranges per NOI round.
Does nomination guarantee an ITA?
It strongly improves your chances because IRCC adds 600 CRS points, but IRCC still says it “helps you get invited” (not a guarantee).
Do I need proof of funds?
For Express Entry, proof of funds is required for FSW and FST, and IRCC updates the amounts yearly.
Do job offers still give CRS points?
No. IRCC says job offers no longer give CRS points as of March 25, 2025.
Reality check (read before you rely on this stream)
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Ontario can issue targeted NOIs by occupation and CRS range. Being eligible does not mean Ontario will select you.
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Your Express Entry profile must stay accurate and valid (language tests/ECA expiry can break eligibility).
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A nomination helps a lot, but PR is still decided by IRCC after background, medical, and completeness checks.
OINP Human Capital Priorities (official):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-express-entry-human-capital-priorities-stream
OINP Express Entry Notifications of Interest (NOI page):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-express-entry-notifications-interest
Applying to OINP (fees + basics):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/applying-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp
OINP updates (draw announcements and changes):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2025-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2024-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates
IRCC: accept nomination + 600 CRS points (30 days):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees/express-entry/get-confirm-nomination.html
IRCC: Express Entry documents list:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents.html
IRCC: ECA rules (validity 5 years):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/education-assessment.html
IRCC: proof of funds (updated yearly):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html
IRCC: job offer points removed (March 25, 2025):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/job-offer.html
IRCC: apply after ITA (60 days):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/apply-permanent-residence.html
IRCC: fee list:
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp
IRCC: processing times tool:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
