In a shocking update, the Ontario government has declared that throughout the following week it will be issuing targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry applicants who work in one of the numerous religious occupations. The area expresses that the move aims ‘to enhance the responsiveness of the program to work showcase requests.’

These NOIs will be issued under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Human Capital Priorities stream, an uninvolved Express Entry-adjusted stream that searches out potential newcomers to Canada from the government Express Entry pool. Among other criteria, potential candidates must be in the pool and have no less than 400 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

The targeted professions include Professional occupations in religion (National Occupational Classification code 4154) and other religious occupations (4217).

Proficient occupations in religion incorporate the accompanying employment titles:

• Archbishop
• Bishop
• Cardinal
• Chaplain
• Evangelist
• Granthi
• Imam
• Minister
• Moderator – religion
• Pastor
• Priest
• Rabbi

Other religious jobs include the following job titles:

• Brother/sister – religion
• Christian Science practitioner
• Deacon
• Missionary
• Monk
• Nun
• Pastoral animator
• Religious education worker
• Salvation Army field worker

The above lists are not exhaustive, and job titles similar to those listed may be applicable under the relevant NOC code.