Ontario - Themillenniumimmigration

Ontario PNP: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Ontario is Canada's most popular landing destination for immigrants from around the world.

As Canada’s most populous province, Ontario is home to nearly 40 percent of Canadians. It features both the capital city, Ottawa, and the largest city, Toronto. Ontario is the leading destination for newcomers, welcoming one-third of all immigrants each year. Many choose Ontario for its job opportunities, high income potential, and diverse population. In fact, more than half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada, reflecting the province’s vibrant multicultural landscape.

Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This program allows prospective immigrants with skills and experience that align with the province’s needs to receive a provincial nomination from Ontario. Once nominated, candidates can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Overview of the Ontario PNP
Ontario Immigration Streams
- Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
- Masters or PhD Streams
- Employer Job Offer Streams
Frequently Asked Questions
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Overview of the Ontario PNP

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) officially launched in 2007 with the main objectives of addressing skill shortages, facilitating investment in Ontario, and ensuring newcomers can effectively settle and integrate into the province. Initially limited to nominating 1,000 newcomers, the OINP now supports over 15,000 nominations each year.

The program includes both enhanced and base streams. Enhanced streams align with the Express Entry system, which manages applications for permanent residence through Canada’s main economic immigration programs. Candidates in the Express Entry pool receive a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and those nominated through enhanced streams receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

In contrast, base streams are not aligned with Express Entry, requiring candidates to apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) after receiving their provincial nomination.

Ontario Immigration Streams

If you wish to immigrate to Ontario, you have three categories of immigration streams to choose from:

1. Express Entry Streams:
These are designed for skilled workers, French-speaking skilled workers, and tradespersons. They operate through Canada’s federal Express Entry system, and only candidates with a valid Express Entry profile can receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the OINP.

2. Masters and PhD Graduate Streams:
These streams are for international graduates from an Ontario university who hold a master’s or PhD degree. No job offer is required to apply through this category.

3. mEmployer Job Offer Streams:
These streams are for candidates who have an eligible job offer in Ontario from an employer willing to nominate them.

Category	Is a job offer required?	Is the stream Express Entry aligned?	Additional requirements
Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream	No	Yes	Must have a valid Express Entry profile. Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience per requirements of either the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Must have a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree (or its equivalent in another country). Other requirements apply to nurses. Language requirement: CLB level 7 or higher (English or French)
Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream	No	Yes	Must have a valid Express Entry profile Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience per requirements of either the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Must have a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree (or its equivalent in another country). Other requirements apply to nurses. Language requirement: CLB level 7 or higher (French); and a CLB 6 or higher (English)
Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream	No	Yes	Must have a valid Express Entry profile Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience in major groups 73, 82, 83, and 93 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Must have a valid Ontario certificate or license (if working in a compulsory trade) Must be currently living in Ontario and hold a valid work permit at the time of application Language requirement: CLB level 5 or higher (English or French)
Employer job offer: Foreign Worker Stream	Yes	No	Must have a job offer (meeting set requirements) in a skilled occupation at a Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) level of 0,1,2, or 3 of the NOC Must have two years of work experience if the occupation does not require a license or other authorization; OR (if a license/authorization is not needed for the job) in the same occupation as your job offer The position offered must be urgently necessary to the employer’s business Work must be based in the province of Ontario Pay must meet or be higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario
Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills Stream	Yes	No	Must have a job offer (meeting set requirements) in a skilled occupation Job must be in an in-demand occupation, and meet both location and NOC requirements Must have nine months of work experience The position offered must be urgently necessary to the employer’s business Language requirement: CLB 4 or higher (English or French) Must have a high school diploma Pay must meet or be higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario
Employer job offer: International Student Stream	Yes	No	Must have a job offer (meeting set requirements) in a skilled occupation Education must be equivalent to either: An undergraduate degree or diploma requiring two years of full-time study to complete; A graduate degree or diploma requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete; A college graduate certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete; OR A University graduate certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete. Pay must be higher than the low wage level for that occupation in Ontario
Masters Graduate Stream	No	No	Must have a master’s degree from an eligible university in Ontario, that includes at least one year of full-time study (15 hours of classes per week). Current students may only apply if they are in a course for the purpose of meeting the requirements of a licensed or regulated profession in Ontario, or if they are currently working full-time in Ontario; Applications to this stream must be submitted within two years of completing necessary requirements for a master’s degree. Language requirement: CLB level 7 or higher (English or French) Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years, and intend to continue living in the province. Candidates do not qualify for this stream if they are living in any province or territory in Canada, other than Ontario.
PhD Graduate Stream	No	No	Must have a PhD degree from an eligible university in Ontario. At least two years of your PhD studies must be completed while legally living and studying in Ontario. Applications to this stream must be submitted within two years of completing necessary requirements for a PhD degree. Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years; and intend to continue living in the province.

Common Additional Eligibility Criteria for OINP Streams

The following additional eligibility criteria are applicable for most streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP):

1. Valid Licensing and Certification:
If your work experience is in a compulsory trade, you must prove that you held (or currently hold) a valid authorization or license from a recognized Ontario regulatory body, even if this experience is only part of your work history.

2. Current Residence and Legal Status in Ontario:
If applying from within Canada, you must hold a valid status (e.g., visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of your application and maintain this status until you receive a nomination. Some streams are open to eligible candidates both inside and outside of Canada.
You may also apply if you are in “maintained status,” which occurs when you have submitted a request to renew or extend your temporary status document before its expiration. This allows you to stay in Canada and continue working or studying under the same conditions until a decision is made on your pending application.

3. Intention to Live in Ontario:
Candidates must demonstrate an intention to reside in Ontario after obtaining permanent residence. This is evaluated based on connections to the province, Working or having worked in Ontario
Receiving job offers or applying/interviewing for jobs
Studying or volunteering in Ontario
Leasing or owning property
Visiting Ontario
Having professional networks, affiliations, family ties, and personal relationships in the province

4. Settlement Funds:
Candidates must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependent family members when settling in Canada.
Family members include a spouse, common-law partner, children under 22, and their children.
This requirement can be met through:
Bank statements or statements of accounts showing other investments (e.g., fixed-term deposits, mutual funds)
Annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario
A job offer in Ontario
More information on the required amount of funds can be found through the OINP resources.

Definitions of Work Under the OINP:
The OINP may have specific definitions for what constitutes valid work experience, which could include criteria such as full-time versus part-time work, or the relevance of the work experience to the stream applied for.

These criteria are essential for assessing eligibility across various OINP streams and may be referenced multiple times in the application process.

Work definition	Qualifying experience
Cumulative work	The work you have done must add up to one year (1,560 hours), but it does not have to be one year of continuous work.
Full-time work experience	You have worked in a job with at least 30 hours of paid work in a week which amounts to at least 1,560 hours of paid work in one year.
Part-time equivalent work experience	You have either: worked in one job for at least 15 hours per week for two years, amounting to at least 1,560 hours in that two-year period; or worked in more than one job for at least 30 hours per week for one year which amounts to at least 1,560 hours of paid work in that one-year period.

Language Test Requirements for OINP

To demonstrate proficiency in English and/or French, candidates must take a language test from an authorized testing agency. The test date must be within two years prior to the application submission date. Below are the accepted tests for each language:

English Tests:
1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
Only the General Training test is accepted.
The IELTS One Skill Retake test is not accepted.

2. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):
Only the General test is accepted.

3. Pearson Test of English (PTE):
Only the PTE Core test is accepted; the PTE Academic test is not accepted.

French Tests:
1. Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF)
2. Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Important Notes:
Ensure that your test results are from an authorized agency and meet the specified criteria.
Keep in mind the two-year validity period for test results when submitting your application.

Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream

The Human Capital Priorities Stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system, providing a pathway for foreign workers to live and work permanently in Ontario. Here are the key details:

Overview:

Eligibility: Candidates must have a valid profile in the IRCC’s federal Express Entry candidate pool.
Notification of Interest (NOI): Candidates must receive an NOI from the OINP to apply for nomination.

Nomination Impact:

If you receive a nomination from Ontario, you will be notified. Accepting the nomination grants you an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.

Minimum Requirements:

To be eligible through the Human Capital Category, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Financial Support:
- Must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during the settlement period.
Intent to Live in Ontario:
- Must demonstrate a genuine intention to reside in Ontario.
Stream-Specific Requirements:
- Candidates must meet additional requirements specific to the stream they are applying for, which will be detailed in the respective stream sections.

Next Steps:

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and have the necessary documents ready.
Monitor for an NOI from the OINP while maintaining your Express Entry profile.

Category	Is a job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Additional Requirements
Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream	No	Yes	Must have valid Express Entry profile. Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience per requirements of either the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Must have a Canadian bachelor’s, masters or PhD degree (or its equivalent in another country), with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA). Other requirements apply for nurses. Language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher (English or French)

Candidates in the Human Capital Priorities stream can choose to have their work experience assessed against criteria of the FSWP, or the CEC program (both under the federal Express Entry system).

While the two programs feature slightly different work experience criteria under both candidates must:

Obtain work experience of at least one year, while meeting requirements for full-time work, or equivalent part-time work.

Obtain work experience only after receiving a license or other authorization to perform their job in Ontario (if needed). Work experience obtained before proper licensing or authorization will not be considered eligible under this stream.

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must also show:

Valid licensing (if needed for work experience);
Sufficient settlement funds relevant to their situations;
Intention to live in Ontario; and
Legal status in Canada (if applying from within the country).

Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is designed for skilled workers who are proficient in both English and French. Here are the essential details:

Overview:
Eligibility: Candidates must be proficient in French and have a valid profile in the IRCC’s federal Express Entry candidate pool.
Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates must have registered with the OINP’s EOI system.

Notification of Interest (NOI):
Candidates must receive a Notification of Interest from the OINP to apply for nomination.

Nomination Impact:
If you receive a nomination from Ontario, you will be notified. Accepting the nomination grants you an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.

Next Steps:
1. Ensure your language proficiency in both French and English is well-documented.
2. Maintain an active Express Entry profile and monitor for an NOI from the OINP.
3. Prepare your application to submit once you receive the NOI.

Category	Is a job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Additional Requirements
Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream	No	Yes	Must have valid Express Entry profile Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience per requirements of either the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Must have a Canadian bachelor’s, masters or PhD degree (or its equivalent in another country). Other requirements apply for nurses Language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher (English or French)

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:

Intend to live in Ontario;
Have legal status in Canada, if they are applying from within the country; and
Have adequate settlement funds to meet the requirements of the program.

Note: Candidates must take two language tests (in English and French) to be eligible for this stream.

Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Skilled Trades Stream

The Skilled Trades Stream is designed for skilled newcomers with professional experience in eligible skilled trades. Here are the key details:

Overview:
Eligibility: Candidates must have experience in a skilled trade and a valid profile in the IRCC’s federal Express Entry candidate pool.
Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates must register with the OINP’s EOI system.

Notification of Interest (NOI):
Candidates must receive a Notification of Interest from the OINP before applying for nomination.

Nomination Impact:
If nominated through the Ontario Express Entry, candidates will be notified. Accepting the nomination grants an additional **600 CRS points**, enhancing the likelihood of receiving an **Invitation to Apply (ITA)** in the next Express Entry draw.

Next Steps:
1. Ensure you have the necessary skilled trade experience documented.
2. Keep your Express Entry profile active and watch for an NOI from the OINP.
3. Prepare your application to submit promptly upon receiving the NOI.

Category	Is a job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Additional Requirements
Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream	No	Yes	Must have valid Express Entry profile Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience in major groups 73, 82, 83, and 93 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Must have a valid Ontario certificate or license (if working in a compulsory trade) Must be currently living in Ontario and hold a valid work permit at the time of application Language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher (English or French)

Additional Requirements for the Skilled Trades Stream

In addition to the main eligibility criteria, candidates in the Skilled Trades Stream must meet the following requirements:

1. Residency in Ontario:
Candidates must currently reside in Ontario and hold legal status in Canada. If a work permit has expired, they may still apply if they have submitted a renewal or extension application to IRCC before its expiry.

2. Settlement Funds:
Candidates must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds appropriate for their situation to support themselves and their dependent family members upon settling in Ontario.

3. Intention to Settle:
Candidates must intend to live in Ontario permanently if they receive their permanent resident status.

Summary
By fulfilling these additional criteria, candidates enhance their eligibility for the Skilled Trades Stream, contributing to their chances of successful nomination and permanent residency in Ontario.

Masters and PhD streams

The Masters Graduate Stream is designed for international students who have completed a master’s degree at an eligible university in Ontario. Here are the key details:

Eligibility Requirements:

Degree Completion:
- Must have earned a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university within the last two years.
Expression of Interest (EOI):
- Candidates must register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system before applying for nomination.
Intention to Reside:
- Must intend to live in Ontario permanently.
Settlement Funds:
- Candidates should have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependent family members upon settling in Ontario.

Application Process:

Register EOI:
- Candidates must first create a profile and submit an EOI in the OINP system.
Receive Notification of Interest (NOI):
- If selected, candidates will receive a Notification of Interest from the OINP.
Submit Application:
- After receiving the NOI, candidates can apply online for nomination by the Ontario government.

The following programs are not aligned with Express Entry. An applicant must create a profile and register an expression of interest (EOI) to be nominated for permanent residence (PR) by the OINP:

Masters stream

The Masters Graduate stream is designed to give international students who have earned a masters degree in Ontario the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence.

Under this stream, candidates must first register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest system before they can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government.

Stream	Job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Eligibility requirements
Masters Graduate Stream	No	No	Must have a masters degree from an eligible university in Ontario, that includes at least one year of full-time study (15 hours of classes per week). Current students may only apply if they are in a course for the purpose of meeting the requirements of a licensed or regulated profession in Ontario, or if they are currently working full-time in Ontario Applications to this stream must be submitted within two years of completing necessary requirements for a masters degree Language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher (English or French) Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years, and intend to continue living in the province Candidates do not qualify for this stream if they are living in any province or territory in Canada, other than Ontario

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:

Show adequate settlement funds for the stream, relevant to their situation;
Intend to live in Ontario; and
Have legal status in Canada at the time of their application, if applying from within the country.

PhD stream

The PhD Graduate stream is designed gives international students who have earned a PhD degree in Ontario the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.

Stream	Job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Eligibility requirements
PhD Graduate Stream	No	No	Must have a PhD degree from an eligible university in Ontario. At least two years of your PhD studies must be completed while legally living and studying in Ontario Applications to this stream must be submitted within two years of completing necessary requirements for a PhD degree Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years; and intend to continue living in the province

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:

Show adequate settlement funds for the stream, relevant to their situation;
Intend to live in Ontario; and
Have legal status in Canada at the time of their application, if applying from within the country.

Employer Job Offer Streams

The Employer Job Offer streams under the OINP are designed for individuals who have received a valid job offer from an employer in Ontario. Here are the key details:

Common Eligibility Requirements:

Job Offer:
- Must be for a full-time, permanent position.
- The job must be in an eligible occupation according to the stream’s requirements.
- The position must be urgently needed by the employer, meaning it aligns with their existing business activities.
- The work must be based in Ontario.
Expression of Interest (EOI):
- Candidates must create a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal and register their EOI.
Provincial Draws:
- Ontario holds regular draws to invite the highest-ranking candidates from the EOI pool.
- If invited, candidates will receive a notification in the portal and must submit their application within 14 calendar days.

Streams Available:

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- For skilled foreign workers with a job offer in Ontario.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- For recent international graduates from eligible Ontario post-secondary institutions.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- For workers with skills in specific in-demand occupations.

These streams provide a pathway to permanent residency for those who have secured employment in Ontario, helping to fill skill gaps in the province’s labor market.

Employer job offer: Foreign Worker Stream

The Employer job offer: Foreign Worker stream provides a pathway for foreign workers (both in and outside of Canada) to settle permanently in Ontario. To be considered under this stream, candidates must have already registered with the OINP’s Expression of Interest system.

The following provides an overview of eligibility criteria for this stream:

Stream	Job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Eligibility requirements
Employer job offer: Foreign Worker Stream	Yes	No	Must have job offer (that meets set requirements) in a skilled occupation at a Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) level of 0,1,2, or 3 of the NOC. Must have two years of work experience if occupation does not that requires a license or other authorization; OR (if a license/authorization is not needed for the job) in the same occupation as your job offer The position offered must be urgently necessary to the employer’s business Work must be based in the province of Ontario Pay must meet or be higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:

Intend to live in Ontario;
Have legal status in Canada, if they are applying from within the country; and
Have adequate settlement funds to meet the requirements of the program.
Have a job offer that pays equal to, or higher than the current median wage in the specific region of Ontario where work will be conducted. The current median wage can be found on the government’s Job Bank site.

Employer job offer: International Student Stream

The Employer job offer: International Students stream provides a pathway for foreign workers (both in and outside of Canada) who have a job offer in an in-demand occupation to settle permanently in Ontario. To be considered under this stream, candidates must have already registered with the OINP’s Expression of Interest system.

The following provides an overview of eligibility criteria for this stream:

Stream	Job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Eligibility requirements
Employer job offer: International Student Stream	Yes	No	Must have job offer (meeting set requirements) in a skilled occupation. Education must be equivalent to either: An undergraduate degree or diploma requiring two years of full-time study to complete; A graduate degree or diploma requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete; A college graduate certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete; OR A University graduate certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete.

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:

Intend to live in Ontario;
Have legal status in Canada, if they are applying from within the country; and
Have adequate settlement funds to meet the requirements of the program;
Have a job offer that pays equal to, or higher than the low-wage level in the specific region of Ontario where work will be conducted. The current low-wage level can be found on the government’s Job Bank site.

Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

The Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills stream provides a pathway for foreign workers (both in and outside of Canada) who have a job offer in an in-demand occupation to settle permanently in Ontario. To be considered under this stream, candidates must have already registered with the OINP’s Expression of Interest system.

The following provides an overview of eligibility criteria for this stream:

Stream	Job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	Eligibility requirements
Employer job offer: International Student Stream	Yes	No	Must have job offer (meeting set requirements) in a skilled occupation. Education must be equivalent to either: An undergraduate degree or diploma requiring two years of full-time study to complete; A graduate degree or diploma requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete; A college graduate certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete; OR A University graduate certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study to complete.

In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:

Intend to live in Ontario;
Have legal status in Canada, if they are applying from within the country; and
Have adequate settlement funds to meet the requirements of the program;
Have a job offer that pays equal to, or higher than the low-wage level in the specific region of Ontario where work will be conducted. The current low-wage level can be found on the government’s Job Bank site.

Contact us for Assistance

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