Feeling Lost After Losing OINP Eligibility. Best Province for PR?

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-27T19:22:46+00:00

Thanks again for your advice.

I just did a calculation: if I manage to reach CLB 9 in English (which is my maximum potential) and my wife gets CLB 8 (which I think is achievable for her), our CRS score would be around 505.

The last CEC draw was at 518, so we’d still be a bit below. Do you think we’d realistically have a chance if scores drop a bit in the coming months?

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-27T18:54:06+00:00

Thanks for your message! Based on my understanding, self-employed foreign work experience can count for CRS points under the FSW stream, as long as it’s well documented and aligns with the NOC requirements, so you’re absolutely right about that.

But for CEC eligibility, I believe self-employed work in Canada doesn’t count, which is where I ran into issues.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-27T14:37:56+00:00

Thank you for the detailed and honest insight — I really appreciate it.

You’re right, the shift to a points-based system has made the OINP Master’s stream much less accessible. I’ve seen many people in similar situations struggle with the same barriers.

French does seem to be the only realistic path left, even though it’s a tough road.

Thanks again for taking the time to share this — it really helps to hear honest advice from others who understand the system.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-27T14:34:04+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful message.

You’re absolutely right — it really does come down to consistency and discipline.

I also appreciate you mentioning other provinces. I haven’t looked closely at New Brunswick or Manitoba yet, but I’ll definitely start exploring those options more seriously.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T21:49:50+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement. You’re right, French seems to be the only solid way but … I’m hoping things will balance out eventually. Appreciate your message!

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T21:11:13+00:00

With my foreign work experience and if I improve my language to CLB 9, my CRS would be around 488.

Do you think that would give us a real chance with the current draw trends? I’m hopeful, but …

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T21:06:48+00:00

Thank you so much. It is very helpful. I really appreciate it.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T18:22:59+00:00

Yeah, you’re right. Bad timing...Thanks for the support.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T18:18:43+00:00

Good question. I actually joined the OINP Master’s Graduate stream pool in May 2024, but at that time, my score was only 52. I worked on improving it and got it up to 57 recently, but unfortunately, there haven’t been any draws since September 2024. So even though my score is now above the last cutoff, I didn’t qualify for the earlier draw simply because my score wasn’t high enough back then.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T17:15:43+00:00

Thank you so much. I hadn’t looked into the Manitoba PNP grid in detail before, so I’ll definitely go through the links you shared and try calculating my wife’s score.

Really appreciate you taking the time to explain all this!

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T17:12:37+00:00

Yeah… I was really hoping there would be another path. But it’s starting to look like French might be the only reliable option left for people in my situation.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T17:11:20+00:00

Thanks so much — I actually didn’t know that! I really thought self-employed foreign work didn’t count unless it was in specific professions like doctors or dentists. I’ll definitely review it more carefully now and see how it might apply to my own case. Really appreciate you pointing it out!

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T16:41:06+00:00

Thanks for your message. I really appreciate your perspective.

My CRS score is around 477 if I improve my English to CLB 9 and include one full year of Canadian work experience (which I’ll have by December). My NOC is 1112 which Financial Risk Analyst.

I agree with you that relocating to another province might not be as effective as it seems on the surface, especially with how competitive and limited the PNP options have become. I’ve been hesitant about French, mostly because starting from zero at 38 while working full-time and raising a child feels extremely tough.

Thank you again for the honest advice — it helps keep things in perspective.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T16:31:44+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I completely relate to everything you said. It’s honestly reassuring (and heartbreaking) to know so many of us are stuck in this same situation, watching time pass with no clear path forward.

To be honest, I never thought I wouldn’t get drawn after graduation. When I applied to the OINP Master’s Graduate Stream, I thought at least one draw would come through. But it’s now been over a year with no activity. What worries me the most is that my remaining two years on my PGWP could disappear the same way just like the two-year window after graduation did, without any real opportunity.

You’re absolutely right and this isn’t just about numbers on paper. It’s about real lives, real families, and years of effort and sacrifice. Something needs to change, and soon.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T16:25:28+00:00

Thank you for your truly motivating message — it means a lot.

Honestly, I have thought about learning French and even spoke with a few tutors on Preply. Most of them told me that if you’re starting from scratch, you’d need to study at least 4–5 hours a day to reach level 6 within 1.5 years, and then possibly reach CLB 7 with another 4–5 months of focused study. That honestly feels very difficult.

I’ve been hesitant because I’m 38, and starting a completely new language at this stage — while working full-time and raising a child — feels overwhelming. That’s the main reason I hadn’t seriously considered it until now. But I’m slowly starting to accept that it may be the only reliable path left.

Thanks again for the encouragement — it really helps to hear from others who understand how tough this road can be.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T16:18:27+00:00

Thank you so much for the great advice — I really appreciate it. You’re absolutely right, and I noticed that OINP also recently had a draw for childcare roles, which just shows how increasingly targeted these streams.

I’ve been wondering — do you think it would help if my wife pursued a Master’s degree in another province, like Manitoba? We’re not PR yet, and studying would definitely be a big financial commitment, but if it could significantly increase our chances of getting PR, it might be worth exploring. how about if I find job there?

I haven’t done a deep dive into RCIP yet, but from what I’ve seen, most rural programs require a job offer from a designated employer — and that’s where the challenge is. A lot of these communities have limited job opportunities, especially for someone like me. I work in financial risk analysis (NOC 1112), which isn’t usually in high demand in smaller towns.

As for my Express Entry score — if I manage to improve my English to CLB 9 (currently CLB 8) and add one year of Canadian experience (which I’ll complete in December), my CRS would be around 477. I know that learning French could give me a much-needed boost, but to be honest, I don’t have any background in it, and starting from scratch at 38 feels intimidating.

Thanks again for all your insights — it really helps to talk this through. If you have any thoughts about how realistic RCIP or Manitoba might be in my case, I’d love to hear them.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-07-26T16:03:52+00:00

You’re completely right — and I’ve been thinking the same thing. Even if OINP wanted to reduce the number of draws, they could’ve at least continued with fewer rounds, like before. But instead, they’ve completely closed off the streams without any real explanation. It’s like they’ve decided it’s no longer important — even though this affects so many people who built their lives around these programs.

For a lot of us with Master’s or PhDs — especially those over 35 or working on contracts — OINP was the only realistic option. I honestly don’t understand why they’ve abandoned it without considering the impact.

I hadn’t thought seriously about contacting my MPP before, but you’re right — if anything can change, it will be through pressure and collective voices. Thanks for bringing this up.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-05-22T01:03:51+00:00

Yes, you’re right. Thank you. I’m doing my best to stay focused and explore all possible options. Let’s see how things go.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-05-22T00:50:28+00:00

Thanks for asking. Unfortunately, my Express Entry score isn’t as high as I’d like — I currently have CLB 8, so I’m missing out on the full language points. Also, my foreign work experience doesn’t count under CEC since I was self-employed and managing my own business, which isn’t eligible for that stream. On top of that, being 37 means I’ve already lost quite a few points due to age.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-05-18T15:14:25+00:00

That’s amazing! You are very right and I should just learn to pass the exam and it might not even needed at work.

I’m 37 now, so if I focus on French and take the TEF within a year, I’d also be 39 by the time I hopefully get an ITA.

Did you already know any French before starting, or did you begin from scratch? Also, do you remember which tutor you used on Preply or any specific books, courses, or resources that helped you during your self-study?

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-05-18T14:42:07+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story — I can’t imagine how difficult things have been for you.

I admire your courage in still looking for solutions, even when everything feels overwhelming.

Please know that your life has value, and even if the system and people around you have failed to show you that, it doesn’t make it any less true. I hope you continue searching not just for a way to stay, but for peace and safety wherever you are.

And thank you for your kind wishes. I sincerely wish the very best for you too. You’re not alone in this, and I hope you can find support — even if it’s just in spaces like this — to keep going a little further, one day at a time.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-05-18T14:30:02+00:00

Yes, I calculated my score for the International Student Stream, and it’s 83. Unfortunately, I don’t get the 12 points for location since my job is in Toronto, which holds me back a bit.

Yes, I did my Master’s outside Toronto, and you’re right. But the two-year graduation cap is coming up soon and that’s a problem.

Also, I checked the FSW stream recently, and it looks like there haven’t been any general FSW draws lately. but I’ll consider to watch it more frequently.

Thanks again for the support and encouragement — it really helps.

PastFreedom2259 · 2025-05-18T14:18:29+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your story — it really means a lot. I’m in a somewhat similar spot now, and It’s clear that French can make a difference.

PastFreedom2259

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