What was once a pilot program to attract and retain foreign professionals or students in the province has become permanent through changes to the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program.
The program allows for the province to fast-track the immigration process for "nominees" based on provincial labour needs and recruitment of trained professionals.
Other changes accompany the program's move to permanent status, including a doubling of the annual quota from 500 to 1,000 nominees.
Also, investors must now invest at least $3 million at create at least five permanent, full-time jobs in Ontario, down from $10 million and the creation of 25 permanent full-time jobs.
Eligibility is now open to skilled workers from any managerial, professional or skilled trade occupation with at least two years of experience. Previously, it had been restricted to 20 specific job categories.
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