Hi,
Background: I am in US, did my masters in US and worked for 2 and half years here in USA. I gave IELTS last December with a score of 8 and got my WES evaluation on Feb 23rd 2017. I submitted my express entry profile and got a score of 450. I have never been to canada, Doesnt have a degree from canada, didn't work in canada.
Today morning I received a letter (Express Entry - Provincial/Territorial Interest Letter -- please refer at the end of the reply), saying that I am qualified to apply for Ontario PNP through Express Entry. But I was said by my friend in Canada that I may not be eligible for that particular program. Also I got to know that if I accept Ontario PNP program I should stick to Ontario in my job search. Can anyone please provide a clarity on this and guidance on how to move forward in my scenario? Should I wait until next draw for Federal Express Entry draw? How long is this invitation or eligibility of mine for Ontario is valid?
Ontario would like to consider you under their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Dear XXXXXXXXX,
The Government of Ontario is interested in considering you for nomination under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through Express Entry.
If you want Ontario to consider you for nomination under its PNP you must contact Ontario directly after receiving this letter. Note that this letter of interest is not a guarantee that you will be nominated by Ontario. You will first have to satisfy Ontario that you meet the requirements of their program.
You can find general information about each province or territory's PNP program on the website. You will also find a link to Ontario's PNP requirements and contact information.
General information:
If a province or territory nominates you through Express Entry and you accept the PNP nomination you will be allocated an additional 600 points in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System. This means you will likely receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program.
If you accept a nomination, you are indicating to both Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and that provincial or territorial jurisdiction that you intend to live in that province or territory and that you will comply with any other provincial or territorial program requirements.
Once you accept a nomination, your profile will no longer be visible to other provinces and territories, so you will not be considered for nomination by other jurisdictions. You will also not be considered for federal economic programs in Express Entry.
If a province or territory nominates you and you decline the PNP nomination, you will not be invited to apply under Ontario's nominee program.
It is possible to be nominated by more than one province or territory, but you may only accept one nomination.
If you decline the nomination, you will stay in the Express Entry pool of candidates. You will still be eligible to receive invitations to apply under the federal immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and/or Canadian Experience Class). As well, other provinces and territories (if applicable) will be able to see your profile for future consideration.
You are not obligated to:
contact a province or territory that is interested in you, or
accept a nomination from a province or territory.
However, if you do not accept a nomination, there is no guarantee that you will be nominated by another province or territory, or that you will be invited to apply under a federal economic program in Express Entry.
A PNP nomination does not guarantee that you are eligible for permanent residence. The final decision to issue a visa or other document for permanent residence rests with IRCC.