u/Antique_Humour29

TL;DR: Got an OINP ITA (Employer Job Offer: International Student). My CEC eligibility may come later this year. Should I pursue OINP now and then CEC later, or skip OINP and wait for CEC? Concerned about timelines, costs (I have a spouse), and upcoming immigration reforms.

Timeline

• Maintained status: Aug 14, 2025
• PGWP letter: Jan 21, 2026
• OINP ITA: Apr 30, 2026
• Work experience: < 1 year currently — likely to reach 1 year either Aug 15, 2026 or Nov 2026 (see my other post about dates)
• Estimated CRS after 1 year: ~530

Context / considerations

• OINP (Employer Job Offer stream) = provincial route, non-Express Entry can be slow (often 12–18+ months to PR from older posts).
• CEC (Express Entry) = faster once eligible but need 1 year of eligible Canadian work experience; processing after invitation ~6–8 months.
• Reforms starting around May 30, 2026 may affect processing/policies.
• Application costs add up (provincial + federal + spouse fees) - financial concern.

Questions for the community

1. Does it make sense to submit the OINP application now (so processing runs while I build eligible CEC experience), then apply under CEC once I reach 1 year?
2. Any downside to holding both processes simultaneously (e.g., costs, withdrawing OINP later, impact on timelines)?
3. I’m confident I’ll have a 530+ CRS after 1 year, is it wiser to skip OINP (and give chance for others) and just wait for CEC draws?
4. Any experiences with OINP approval timelines recently or interactions between provincial nominations and later Express Entry applications?

Any personal experiences, pros/cons, or practical advice would be really helpful. Thanks!

Hi everyone! need help confirming the date I’ll meet the CEC 1-year work requirement.

Timeline

• Started working May 2024 (intern, converted to full‑time after graduation) — still employed.
• Applied for PGWP: Aug 14, 2025.
• Traveled: 1 week to the US in Nov 2025; then to India mid‑Jan to Mar 31, 2026.
• Received Work Permit Letter: Jan 21, 2026.
• Took ~2 weeks vacation total during the above period.
• CRS > 530. (Calculation after 1 year experience)

My assumption: I’d reach 1 year of eligible work on Aug 14, 2026 (one year from PGWP application date).

Questions:

1. Since I was continuously working, does that count toward the CEC 1 year and make Aug 14, 2026 the eligibility date?
2. If not, do I need to subtract the ~2.6 months I was outside Canada (Nov trip + mid‑Jan–Mar) and push the eligibility to around Nov 2026.

Any clarity or experiences with similar timelines would be really appreciated, thanks!

Hi everyone! need help confirming the date I’ll meet the CEC 1-year work requirement.

Timeline

• Started working May 2024 (intern, converted to full‑time after graduation) — still employed.
• Applied for PGWP: Aug 14, 2025.
• Traveled: 1 week to the US in Nov 2025; then to India mid‑Jan to Mar 31, 2026.
• Received Work Permit Letter: Jan 21, 2026.
• Took ~2 weeks vacation total during the above period.
• CRS > 530. (Calculation after 1 year experience)

My assumption: I’d reach 1 year of eligible work on Aug 14, 2026 (one year from PGWP application date).

Questions:

1. Since I was continuously working, does that count toward the CEC 1 year and make Aug 14, 2026 the eligibility date?
2. If not, do I need to subtract the ~2.6 months I was outside Canada (Nov trip + mid‑Jan–Mar) and push the eligibility to around Nov 2026.

Any clarity or experiences with similar timelines would be really appreciated, thanks!