Apply to Ontario PNP or wait for FSW invitation

[_ircc_visas]

TLDR: Confused on whether to apply to Ontario PNP or wait for the FSW express entry invitation.

Hi folks! I am looking for some advice on how to proceed with my immigration application to Canada.

I have 486 points on my Express Entry profile. I received a Notification of Interest from Ontario in December. I have until the end of January to complete and submit my application on Ontario's portal by paying $1500. However, because the scores have come down to 490 in the latest round of invitations for Express Entry, I feel like I might get invited in the next two rounds in the FSW stream. Also, I feel like the PNP route would take longer as I would need to wait for a nomination from Ontario which takes about two months and then apply through Express Entry again.

Ontario is a wonderful place to move to but I would like to migrate through the FSW stream just because I get the additional flexibility of living and working anywhere in Canada.

What would be the best course of action here?

 

[bryndog1950]

TLDR: Confused on whether to apply to Ontario PNP or wait for the FSW express entry invitation.

Hi folks! I am looking for some advice on how to proceed with my immigration application to Canada.

I have 486 points on my Express Entry profile. I received a Notification of Interest from Ontario in December. I have until the end of January to complete and submit my application on Ontario's portal by paying $1500. However, because the scores have come down to 490 in the latest round of invitations for Express Entry, I feel like I might get invited in the next two rounds in the FSW stream. Also, I feel like the PNP route would take longer as I would need to wait for a nomination from Ontario which takes about two months and then apply through Express Entry again.

Ontario is a wonderful place to move to but I would like to migrate through the FSW stream just because I get the additional flexibility of living and working anywhere in Canada.

What would be the best course of action here?

You could try this strategy:

1. Submit an application for Ontario PNP by Jan 31.
2. If you subsequently receive an ITA from Express Entry within the next few days, you could request a refund from Ontario. This is possible if Ontario has not started processing your application.
3. If you get a refund, accept the ITA from Express Entry.
4. If you don't get a refund, proceed with Ontario PNP and decline the ITA.

Of course you would have to be sure that Ontario has not started processing your application before requesting the refund. You would have to be sure that requesting a refund would not result in Ontario automatically canceling the application but not giving a refund because they had already starting processing.
Maybe you could contact them to discuss their refund process before making a decision.

From the Ontario PNP website:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-expression-interest-system-streams#:~:text=Refunds,the OINP e-Filing Portal.

Refunds
We will only refund the fee if we find that your application is incomplete or you withdraw your application before we start processing it. We will not refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful.
You can check the status of your application through your account in the OINP e-Filing Portal.

Contact us
Ask us a question by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca or by phone from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:
Tel: 416-327-0374 Toll-free: 1-866-214-6820 (toll-free within North America only)