Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers pathways to permanent residence for individuals who can contribute to the province’s economy. The program includes several streams:

●  Employer Job Offer Streams

●  Foreign Worker Stream

●  International Student Stream

●  In-Demand Skills Stream

●  Human Capital Category

●  Masters Graduate Stream

●  PhD Graduate Stream

●  Ontario’s Express Entry Streams

●  Human Capital Priorities Stream

●  French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

●  Skilled Trades Stream

●  Business Category

●  Entrepreneur Stream

Each stream targets specific groups of applicants based on labor market needs and economic priorities.

These streams require a valid job offer from an Ontario employer.

1.  Foreign Worker Stream

Eligibility:

●  Full-time, permanent job offer in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).

●  Two years of relevant work experience in the last five years.

●  Valid license or authorization if the occupation requires it.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

2.  International Student Stream

Eligibility:

●  Full-time, permanent job offer in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).

●  Completed at least half of the studies in Canada and graduated from an eligible Canadian college or university.

●  Apply within two years of graduation.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

3.  In-Demand Skills Stream

Eligibility:

●  Full-time, permanent job offer in an in-demand occupation (e.g., agriculture, construction, trucking, personal support workers).

●  Nine months of cumulative paid full-time work experience in Ontario in the same occupation.

●  Language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario

These streams target international graduates from Ontario institutions.

1.  Masters Graduate Stream

Eligibility:

●  Completed a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university.

●  Language proficiency of CLB 7 or higher.

●  Resided in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.

●  Apply within two years of graduation.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

These streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

1.  Human Capital Priorities Stream

Eligibility:

●  Active Express Entry profile.

●  Meet the criteria of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.

●  Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score as determined by periodic draws.

●  Language proficiency of CLB 7 or higher.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

2.  French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

Eligibility:

●  Active Express Entry profile.

●  Meet the criteria of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.

●  French language proficiency of CLB 7 or higher.

●  English language proficiency of CLB 6 or higher.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

3.  Skilled Trades Stream

Eligibility:

●  Active Express Entry profile.

●  At least one year of cumulative paid full-time work experience in Ontario in a skilled trade occupation listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Groups 72, 73, or 82 of the NOC.

●  Valid license or certification if required.

●  Language proficiency of CLB 5 or higher.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

Entrepreneur Stream

Eligibility:

●  Minimum personal net worth of CAD $800,000 if the proposed business is in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or CAD $400,000 if outside the GTA.

●  Minimum investment of CAD $600,000 if the proposed business is in the GTA or CAD $200,000 if outside the GTA.

●  At least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.

●  Create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if the business is in the GTA; one job if outside the GTA.

●  Intention to reside in Ontario.

1.  Determine Eligibility: Review the criteria for the desired OINP stream.

2.  Prepare Documents: Gather necessary documentation, including job offers, educational credentials, language test results, and proof of funds.

3.  Submit Application:

    ○  For Employer Job Offer and International Graduate Streams: Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the OINP e-Filing Portal.

    ○  For Express Entry Streams: Create or update your Express Entry profile and indicate your interest in Ontario.

4.  Receive Invitation:

    ○  If selected, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or Notification of Interest (NOI).

5.  Submit Complete Application: Submit all required documents and pay the applicable processing fee within the specified timeframe.

6.  Assessment and Nomination: OINP assesses the application. If approved, receive a provincial nomination certificate.

7.  Apply for Permanent Residence: Submit a federal application for permanent residence to IRCC within 6 months of nomination.

Processing Times:

●  Employer Job Offer and International Graduate Streams: Approximately 60 to 90 days.

●  Express Entry Streams: Approximately 30 to 60 days.

●  Entrepreneur Stream: Varies based on the complexity of the application.

Recent Draws:

●  January 15, 2025: 4 invitations issued under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, targeting candidates under the Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP).

Note: Due to federal adjustments in immigration allocations, the number of invitations issued in 2025 has decreased compared to previous years.

Note: Due to federal adjustments in immigration allocations, the number of invitations issued in 2025 has decreased compared to previous years.