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 Opportunities 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.
Express Entry candidates nominated by Ontario will receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC has committed to processing times of six months or less for applicants through Express Entry.
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), which was formerly known as the Opportunities 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.
Express Entry candidates nominated by Ontario will receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC has committed to processing times of six months or less for applicants through Express Entry.
The OINP accepts applications under 9 main immigration streams:
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
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
- Masters Graduate Stream
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 eligible 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.
You must have a valid profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario before you can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
You must have a valid profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario before you can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
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 stream is for entrepreneurs from outside of Canada interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario. It gives an entrepreneur (and up to one foreign national business partner) the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in Ontario.
If you are nominated, the next step will be to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.
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.
If you are nominated, the next step will be to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.
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. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
The Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. It gives foreign workers with a job offer in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture, construction, trucking or personal support work, the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario. This stream is open to foreign workers in and outside of Canada. You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
7. Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It gives foreign nationals with Ontario work experience in eligible skilled trades the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario. You must have a valid profile in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario before you can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
The current targeted candidates as of April 2020 include the below;
The current targeted candidates as of April 2020 include the below;
- Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters
- Ironworkers
- Electricians
- Electrical power line and cable workers
- Steamfitters, pipe-fitters and sprinkler system installers
- Carpenters
- Concrete finishers
- Roofers
- Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- Heavy duty equip mechanics
- Refrigeration and AC mechanics
- Machine fitters
- Elevator constructors and mechanics
- Crane operators
8. PhD Graduate Stream
The PhD Graduate Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. It gives international graduates with an Ontario PhD degree the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario. You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence. If you are nominated your next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.
9. Masters Graduate Stream
The Masters Graduate Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
It gives international graduates with an Ontario master’s degree the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.
You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence. If you are nominated, your next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.
It gives international graduates with an Ontario master’s degree the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.
You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence. If you are nominated, your next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.
PLEASE NOTE: THESE PROGRAMS ARE AMENDED OFTEN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE OINP PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS IN MORE DETAIL.
