In the new immigration draw, Ontario has given preference to candidates working in information technology (IT) occupations.
On August 1, a new Tech Draw was held in Ontario, in which 1,773 invitations were sent to candidates in the Express Entry system. Applicants who received invitations had work experience in one of six in-demand IT occupations and scored a total of 435 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
These Tech Draws allow the province of Ontario to search the Express Entry pool and invite suitable candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.
To receive an invitation from Ontario, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile. Tech Draws are designed to attract specialists with work experience in six specific occupations:
- Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147)
- Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
- Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
Tech Draws are conducted through the Human Capital Priorities Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Candidates must meet the requirements of the stream, and also have work experience in one of the above-mentioned occupations, while a job offer is not required. Candidates selected within the Express Entry pool get a notification of interest. Then they have 45 days to submit a full application.
There are several major technology centres in Ontario including Toronto, Ottawa, and Waterloo. IT draws are designed specifically to meet the growing labour demand in this sector.
According to CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent report, Toronto has become the third-largest IT market in North America, following the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.