How to Maximize OINP Language Points Under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) awards these points under two separate scoring factors: Official Language Ability, worth up to 15 points, and Knowledge of Official Languages, worth up to 10 points. Together, these can add up to nearly 20 percent of the 130-point total available to OINP candidates.

If you are planning to enter the Ontario Workforce Priority stream Expression of Interest (EOI) pool, it is important to understand how these two OINP scoring factors contribute to your score and how you can maximize your language points to make your profile more competitive.

Key Takeaways

• Ontario Workforce Priority stream candidates can receive up to 25 points across two language-related scoring factors.
• Official Language Ability is worth up to 15 points and is based on your lowest CLB level.
• Knowledge of Official Languages awards five points for one official language or 10 points for both English and French.
• Improving your lowest language ability could increase your Ontario Workforce Priority stream score.

Official Language Ability Points in the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

The Official Language Ability factor assesses your level of proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages — English or French. It is worth a maximum of 15 points.

To receive points, you must take an approved English or French language test covering four abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your points are based on the lowest Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level across these four abilities.

For instance, if you have a CLB 8 in speaking, listening, and reading, but a CLB 5 in writing, you will get 0 points. If you improved your writing result to CLB 8 while maintaining at least CLB 8 in the other three abilities, you would receive 12 points. This means it might be worth retaking your language test if there is room to improve upon your weakest language ability.

If all four abilities reached CLB 9 or higher, you would receive the maximum 15 points.

If you are proficient in both English and French, and take approved tests for both, Ontario uses the test with the higher CLB level to calculate your Official Language Ability points.

For English, Ontario accepts IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, and PTE Core. Ontario does not accept IELTS Academic or IELTS One Skill Retake for the Workforce Priority stream. For French, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted for OINP.

Points for Knowledge of Official Languages in the OINP

The second language-related scoring factor in the Ontario Workforce Priority stream is Knowledge of Official Languages. This factor awards points based on whether you demonstrate sufficient ability — at least CLB 6 — in one or both of Canada’s official languages.

To claim points for two official languages, you need at least a CLB 6 across reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both English and French.

For example, if you have CLB 9 English and no qualifying French test, you could receive 15 points for Official Language Ability and five points for Knowledge of Official Languages. That would give you 20 points across the two factors.

If you also demonstrate at least CLB 6 in all four abilities in French, you could receive 10 points for Knowledge of Official Languages instead. This would bring your total language-related score to the maximum 25 points.

Language Requirements and Language Points Are Not the Same

Before you can enter the EOI pool and get a score for your profile, you must meet certain minimum eligibility requirements for the OINP stream. One of the eligibility requirements is language ability, and the threshold you need to meet varies based on the TEER category of your Ontario job offer.

If your job offer is in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, you generally need at least CLB 6 in all four language abilities. Eligible skilled trades occupations have a lower CLB 5 requirement. Eligible recent Ontario graduates may also be able to meet the language requirement through their Ontario education. For TEER 4 or 5 job offers, the minimum language requirement is CLB 4 in all four abilities.

However, meeting the minimum language requirement doesn’t necessarily mean you will receive points for Official Language Ability or Knowledge of Official Languages.

For example, if you are a skilled tradesperson and qualify for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream with a CLB 5 in all four abilities, you would receive zero points under Official Language Ability and zero points for Knowledge of Official Languages because points under both factors start at CLB 6.

Tips to Boost Your Language Score for the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Language is one part of your Ontario Workforce Priority stream score that you may be able to improve. Here are some steps you can take before entering the EOI pool or while waiting for an invitation.

1. Find Your Lowest CLB Score

Start by converting each of your language test results into its corresponding Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level.

Pay particular attention to your lowest CLB result. Ontario uses your lowest level across reading, writing, listening, and speaking to calculate your Official Language Ability points — which can get you up to 15 points.

This means improving your weakest ability could increase your score.

For example, moving your lowest result from CLB 7 to CLB 8 would increase your Official Language Ability points from 8 to 12. Reaching CLB 9 across all four abilities would increase your score to the maximum 15 points.

2. Set a Target Before Retaking Your Language Test

If you are considering retaking IELTS General Training or another language test, assess how much your language skills need to improve to move the needle on your score.

Compare your current IELTS results with the CLB level required for the next Ontario Workforce Priority stream scoring threshold. This gives you a specific target for each ability rather than simply aiming for a higher overall result.

For example, if you have a CLB 5 in writing but a CLB 8 in the other three abilities, bringing your writing score up to a CLB 7 would bring your Official Language Ability points up from 0 to 8. Plus, you would get 5 points for Knowledge of Official Languages. That would mean a total increase of 13 points.

On the other hand, if you have a CLB 8 in all four abilities, bringing just your writing score up to CLB 9 would make no difference to the number of OWP points you receive. You would need to improve all four abilities to a CLB 9 to get a 3-point increase in your Official Language Ability score.

3. Focus on Your Weakest Language Ability

If one language ability is keeping your CLB level down — for example, if your listening, reading, and speaking results are equivalent to CLB 9 but your writing result is CLB 7 — focus more of your preparation on that skill.

Practice your weaker section using practice tests under timed test conditions. If you plan to take IELTS, use official IELTS preparation resources to become familiar with the format, question types, and expectations for that part of the test.

4. Consider French if You Already Have Some Ability

If you already have some French ability, consider whether you could reach the level required to claim points for both official languages.

You need at least CLB/NCLC 6 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both English and French to receive 10 points under Knowledge of Official Languages.

That means adding qualifying French results could give you an additional five points under this factor.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Language Test Expiry Date

Your language test results are valid for two years and must be valid both when you enter the OINP EOI pool and when you submit your nomination application.

If your test results are expiring soon, you may want to take another language test.

Ontario has yet to conduct a draw for the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which only began accepting Expressions of Interest in August. At this point, it’s unclear what score will be required to receive an invitation and whether Ontario might prioritize certain types of candidates (like those with experience in specific occupations, or job offers in rural areas).  That said, if you can, use this time to improve your profile so you can have a better chance of securing a nomination once draw activity resumes.