Ontario is the most sought-after destination for immigrants to Canada. As the country’s most populous province, nearly 40% of Canadians live in Ontario, which is home to both Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. The province stands as the primary choice for newcomers, welcoming one-third of all immigrants to Canada each year. People are drawn to Ontario for its strong job market, high income potential, and diverse population. In fact, over half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada.
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), allows skilled and experienced individuals to receive a provincial nomination. Once nominated, they can apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is designed to support the province’s economic growth by selecting and nominating individuals for permanent residence in Canada based on its labor market needs and skill shortages. Here’s a summary of its key aspects:
Overview of OINP:
- Launched: In 2007, aiming to meet Ontario’s workforce needs.
- Annual Nominations: Ontario nominates over 15,000 individuals each year.
- Streams: OINP offers a range of streams categorized into:
- Express Entry-aligned streams (for skilled workers, French-speaking skilled workers, and tradespersons).
- Base streams (not linked with Express Entry, for those applying directly to IRCC).
- Employer Job Offer streams (for candidates with a job offer in Ontario).
- Masters and PhD Graduate Streams (for international graduates).
Ontario Immigration Streams:
- Express Entry Streams:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
- All are aligned with the Express Entry system and require candidates to meet specific education, experience, and language requirements.
- Employer Job Offer Streams:
- Foreign Worker Stream (requires a job offer in a skilled occupation).
- In-Demand Skills Stream (for candidates in high-demand jobs with a job offer).
- International Student Stream (for graduates with a job offer).
- Graduate Streams:
- Masters Graduate Stream (for those with a Master’s degree from an Ontario university).
- PhD Graduate Stream (for those with a PhD from an Ontario university).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Job Offer: Many streams require a valid job offer from an Ontario employer.
- Work Experience: Relevant work experience in the occupation specified in the job offer is required for certain streams.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French (through approved tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF).
- Educational Requirements: Candidates must meet specific educational qualifications, including degrees, diplomas, or certificates from recognized institutions.
- Residence in Ontario: Candidates must intend to live in Ontario and may need to have lived there for a specified period in the past.
- Settlement Funds: Applicants must have enough funds to support themselves and their families when they settle in Ontario.
- Licensing: Certain professions may require proof of licensing or certification, especially in regulated occupations or compulsory trades.
Additional Eligibility Criteria:
- Current Residence Status: Applicants must have legal status in Ontario at the time of their application (e.g., study, work, or visitor permits).
- Intention to Live in Ontario: Candidates need to show strong ties to Ontario, such as a job offer, studies, or family connections in the province.
- Valid Licensing: If applying in a regulated profession, candidates must show proof of certification from the relevant Ontario regulatory body.
By choosing the appropriate stream and meeting the eligibility criteria, candidates can be nominated by Ontario for permanent residence, facilitating their immigration process to Canada.
This detailed breakdown of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) provides comprehensive information on its various streams, eligibility criteria, and application processes. Here is a summary of the key points across the streams:
1. Express Entry Aligned Streams
These streams are connected to the federal Express Entry system, allowing candidates to earn extra CRS points, which increases their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Job offer: Not required.
- Express Entry aligned: Yes.
- Eligibility:
- Valid Express Entry profile.
- Minimum one year of full-time work experience under either Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Canadian or foreign equivalent degree with Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Language requirement: CLB 7 or higher in English or French.
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Job offer: Not required.
- Express Entry aligned: Yes.
- Eligibility:
- Valid Express Entry profile.
- One year of full-time work experience under FSWP or CEC.
- Degree with ECA.
- CLB 7 in French and CLB 6 in English.
- Intend to live in Ontario.
- Skilled Trades Stream
- Job offer: Not required.
- Express Entry aligned: Yes.
- Eligibility:
- Valid Express Entry profile.
- Minimum one year of work experience in eligible skilled trades (NOC 73, 82, 83, 93).
- Current residence in Ontario with a valid work permit.
- Language requirement: CLB 5 or higher.
2. Masters and PhD Graduate Streams
These streams are for international students who have graduated from an eligible university in Ontario.
- Masters Graduate Stream
- Job offer: Not required.
- Express Entry aligned: No.
- Eligibility:
- Must have a master’s degree from an eligible university in Ontario.
- Language requirement: CLB 7 or higher in English or French.
- Must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
- PhD Graduate Stream
- Job offer: Not required.
- Express Entry aligned: No.
- Eligibility:
- Must have a PhD from an eligible Ontario university.
- Must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
- Applications must be submitted within two years of completing their PhD.
3. Employer Job Offer Streams
These streams require candidates to have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer in a skilled occupation.
- Foreign Worker Stream
- Job offer: Required.
- Express Entry aligned: No.
- Eligibility:
- Job offer in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
- Two years of work experience (or similar occupation).
- Must meet wage standards.
- Work must be based in Ontario.
- International Student Stream
- Job offer: Required.
- Express Entry aligned: No.
- Eligibility:
- Must have a job offer in a skilled occupation.
- Must have completed post-secondary education equivalent to at least two years of study.
- In-Demand Skills Stream
- Job offer: Required.
- Express Entry aligned: No.
- Eligibility:
- Job offer in an in-demand occupation.
- Education equivalent to high school or post-secondary level.
- Work experience of at least nine months in a related field.
General Eligibility Requirements for OINP
For most streams, candidates must also meet the following common criteria:
- Legal status: Valid status in Canada (if applying from within Canada).
- Intention to live in Ontario: Demonstrated through employment, studies, family ties, or other connections.
- Adequate settlement funds: To support oneself and dependents upon arrival in Ontario.
