Most Updated Comprehensive Information about Canada’s OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a provincial nomination initiative supported by the Canadian government. This program aims to select immigrants who match the labor market needs of Ontario to become permanent residents of Canada.

If you possess skills that align with job opportunities or the labor market in Ontario, you have the chance to be nominated by this program and become a Canadian permanent resident. Not only you, but also your spouse, children, and other dependents can benefit from this opportunity.

In the following article, ImmiPath will provide you with all the details about immigrating to Canada through the OINP. Check it out now!

1. What Streams does Canada’s OINP Include?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) includes 3 main streams. To apply for Canadian citizenship and immigration, and to become a permanent resident in Ontario through these programs, you must qualify for at least one of the following streams:

1.1. Employer Job Offer Stream

To be eligible for this stream, you must have a full-time job offer in Ontario from an eligible employer after you immigrate. The streams under this category include:

1.1.1 Foreign Worker Stream

If you are a foreign worker with a job offer from an eligible employer in Ontario for a skill type 0, A, or B, you may apply for permanent residence in Canada under this stream.

You can apply for permanent residence in Ontario, Canada, if you are a temporary foreign worker inside or outside Canada. The application is submitted online, and if you are nominated under this program, you will be invited to apply for permanent residence and citizenship in Canada through IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

1.1.2 International Student Stream

If you are an international student with a job offer from a qualified employer in skill types 0, A, or B, this stream provides an opportunity for you to immigrate and obtain Canadian citizenship.

You can apply to live and work permanently in Ontario. Whether you are currently in Canada or abroad, you can apply for permanent residency through this stream. This can be very beneficial for finding employment in Canada.

1.1.3 In-Demand Skills Stream

This stream is for foreign workers who have a job offer from a qualified employer in Ontario, Canada.

The job offer must be in high-demand sectors such as agriculture, construction, transportation, and personal services. If you are a foreign worker currently residing inside or outside Canada, Ontario Canada Immigration provides an opportunity for you to obtain permanent residency in Ontario.

1.2. Human Capital Stream

To qualify for this stream, you must meet specific requirements regarding education, language, and work experience. This stream is divided into 2 subcategories:

1.2.1 International Student Graduates

• Master’s Graduate Stream:

If you are an international student who has graduated with education equivalent to a master’s degree in Ontario, this stream can provide an opportunity for you to live permanently in Canada and even apply for citizenship. Applications are submitted online, and if you receive an invitation to apply, you will have the chance to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

• PhD Graduate Stream:

If you are an international student with education equivalent to a doctoral degree (PhD) in Ontario, you can apply through this stream for permanent residency in Ontario and citizenship in Canada.

1.2.2 Ontario Express Entry Program

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

If you are a skilled worker with excellent French language skills and proficiency in English according to Canadian Language Benchmark standards, you may be eligible for this Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) stream.

• Human Capital Priority Stream

If you are a foreign worker with the required educational background, work experience, and language skills, this stream provides an opportunity to obtain permanent residency and citizenship in Canada while working in Ontario.

To apply, you must have an online Express Entry profile that is required and the profile must be in an inactive state. Upon receiving an Expression of Interest (EOI), you may be nominated to apply for permanent residency through this stream.

• Skilled Trades Stream

If you are a foreign worker with skills that fill gaps in Ontario’s labor market and relevant work experience, you can apply through this stream to secure permanent residency and citizenship in Canada while working in Ontario.

See more: Canadian Immigration Through Express Entry

1.3. Business Category

This category includes only one stream: the Entrepreneur Stream. To qualify for Canadian immigration under the business category, you must be an entrepreneur intending to either start a new business or purchase an existing business in Ontario.

If you are an entrepreneur currently working outside of Canada and wish to start your own business in Ontario, this stream is for you. You need to demonstrate a genuine and profound interest in establishing or acquiring a business in Ontario.

You can also bring a foreign business partner under this stream if you are nominated. This gives you the opportunity to live in Canada and establish your own business in Ontario.

In addition to Ontario, other provinces such as British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Alberta, Yukon, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan also have their own provincial nomination programs.

2. How to Apply for Canada’s OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program)?

When deciding to pursue immigration through the OINP, you should take time to review the eligibility criteria for each stream and choose the one that best fits your situation and ensures you meet all the requirements. You can find detailed eligibility criteria for each stream by browsing the different streams here.

Once you have identified the stream you want to apply for and confirmed your eligibility (except for the Entrepreneur Stream, which has a different process that you can find more information about here), there are 3 stages to apply and obtain Permanent Residency (PR):

2.1. Create a Profile

First, you need to create a profile, which will be ranked according to a points system. For Express Entry, this is done through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and for all other streams, this is done by registering an Expression of Interest (EOI).

2.2. Submit a Nomination Application

If you receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) or an invitation to apply, you will need to submit a nomination application through the OINP e-Portal and pay the application fee, which is CAD 1,500 or CAD 2,000 depending on the stream. You must submit your application before the given deadline, which is 45 days for Express Entry and 14 days for other streams.

2.3. Submit a Permanent Residence Application

If your application is successful and you receive a nomination, you can apply for permanent residence through IRCC, which will make the final decision on whether to grant you PR.

If you applied through the Express Entry stream, the OINP nomination will add 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which will ensure you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next invitation round. After receiving the ITA, you will have 60 days to submit your application through the IRCC portal.

If you received a nomination through the Expression of Interest stream, you will need to submit your application for permanent residence to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Program within 6 months of receiving your nomination.

This is a comprehensive overview of the OINP program for Canadian immigration. We hope it will be useful for those interested in these programs. If you have any questions about the OINP program, feel free to leave a comment below, and the EduPath team will provide you with the best advice.