Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
As Canada’s most populous province, Nearly 40 per cent of Canadians call Ontario home. Ontario is also home to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. In many ways, Ontario is the center of Canada’s economic, social, and political life, making it Canada’s most popular landing destination for immigrants from around the world.
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which was formerly known as the Opporunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OOPNP). Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive an Ontario Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow foreign national to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which was formerly known as the Opporunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OOPNP). Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive an Ontario Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow foreign national to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.
The OINP accepts applications under 6 main immigration categories:
Each these categories may have one or more sub-categories. Below we provide you with additional information about each of these categories to help you determine if the OINP is right for you.
- Human Capital Priorities Stream (aligned with Express Entry)
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (aligned with Express Entry)
- General Category
- International Students Category
- Entrepreneur Stream
- Corporate Stream
- Investors Category (discontinued)
Each these categories may have one or more sub-categories. Below we provide you with additional information about each of these categories to help you determine if the OINP is right for you.
1. Human Capital Priorities Stream
This stream enables the (OINP) to nominate individuals who are eligibile to enter the Federal Express Entry pool and who have the required education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.
2. French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is for French-Speaking skilled workers who have strong English language abilities and who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. This stream enables (OINP) to nominate individuals in the Express Entry pool and who have the required education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.
3. General Category
Through this category, Ontario employers are able to recruit employees from abroad for approved skilled positions (classified by the Government of Canada as “NOC 0, A or B level”). These employees may be living abroad or in Canada at the time of application.
4. International Students Category
This category is for students from abroad. The International Students category accepts applications under the following sub-categories:
International Student with a Job Offer Stream -- This sub-category was created to help employers recruit international students. It is open to Ontario employers and students with job offers in the province.
International PhD Graduate Stream -- This sub-category targets individuals who have graduated from a PhD program at one of Ontario’s publicly funded universities. A job offer is not required.
Pilot International Masters Graduate Stream — This sub-category, which is currently operating as a temporary pilot program, targets individuals who have graduated with a Master’s degree from one of Ontario’s publicly funded universities. A job offer is not required.
Note that the OINP is no longer accepting applications from international students in their final semester of studies.
International PhD Graduate Stream -- This sub-category targets individuals who have graduated from a PhD program at one of Ontario’s publicly funded universities. A job offer is not required.
Pilot International Masters Graduate Stream — This sub-category, which is currently operating as a temporary pilot program, targets individuals who have graduated with a Master’s degree from one of Ontario’s publicly funded universities. A job offer is not required.
Note that the OINP is no longer accepting applications from international students in their final semester of studies.
5. Entrepreneur Stream
This category is designed to attract individuals who are looking to implement a new business initiative or buy an existing business in Ontario. Successful applicants will obtain a temporary work permit support letter – based on a performance agreement – to establish the business in Ontario. If the investment and job creation agreements outlined in the performance agreement are adhered to, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to be nominated for Canadian permanent resident status.
6. Corporate Stream
This category aims to help and support established international corporations looking to expand into Ontario or buy an existing business. Once the business has been successfully established, key staff are eligible to apply for a provincial nomination certificate, allowing them to eventually become permanent residents of Canada.
PLEASE NOTE: THESE PROGRAMS ARE CHANGED AND AMENDED OFTEN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE OINP PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS IN MORE DETAIL.
