Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Ontario is the second-largest and most populous province of Canada. Almost 40% population of Canada resides in Ontario. Canada’s largest city, Toronto is located in Ontario, so as Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. 

Ontario is not only the economic hub of Canada but also a display of the natural diversity of Canada. Ontario is famous for its varied geography including, extensive forests, provincial parks, four of the five great lakes, and the well-known Niagara Falls.

Ontario invites immigrants to apply for permanent residency in the province through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under this program, the province targets skilled and experienced newcomers, and qualified immigrants receive a provincial nomination from Ontario. Nominated candidates can apply with the Canadian government to obtain permanent resident status in Canada.

The Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program, OINP, invites applicants under the following immigration categories:

• Human Capital Category
• Employer Job Offer Category
• Business Category

Human Capital Category

The OINP Human Capital Category has two sub-categories, these are:

• Ontario’s Express Entry Streams
• International Graduates Streams

Ontario’s Express Entry Streams

The OINP’s Express Entry streams are directed under the federal Express Entry system. Only those candidates who have an active Express Entry profile and an Invitation to Apply for a provincial nomination can apply under these streams. This category has three streams, these are:

1. Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

This stream allows the OINP to target the applicants who qualify under the Express Entry pool. These applicants have eligible educational qualifications, relevant work experience in a skilled job, language proficiency, and other attributes to contribute towards Ontario’s labour market requirements.

Under this stream, Ontario’s PNP also targets Express Entry candidates through occasional tech draws. These candidates must have relevant work experience in six tech-sector occupations.

2. Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

This stream allows the OINP to nominate the Express Entry candidates who are skilled workers with speaking ability in the French language. These candidates must have proficient English language abilities, relevant work experience in a skilled job, language ability, and other attributes to contribute towards the labour market and communities in Ontario.

3. Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream 

This stream allows Ontario to nominate tradespersons who have current or previous work experience in Ontario.

International Graduates Streams

International Graduate Streams of the OINP include international students who have recently graduated with their master’s or doctoral degree at an eligible university in Ontario. This category has two streams, these are:

1. Masters Graduate Stream

This stream allows the OINP to nominate those candidates who have recently obtained a master’s degree from an eligible university in Ontario. To apply under this stream, candidates do not require a job offer.

2. PhD Graduate Stream

This stream allows the OINP to nominate those candidates who have recently obtained a PhD or doctoral degree from an eligible university in Ontario. To apply under this stream, candidates do not require a job offer.

Employer Job Offer Category

The OINP’s Employer Job Offer Category includes two streams to nominate foreign workers and international students with a valid job offer in Ontario. Applicants may be residing abroad or in any other province or territory of Canada while applying. The purpose is to meet the workforce requirement of Ontario employers by immigrating skilled workers and international graduates to the province. The two streams under this category are:

1. Foreign Worker Stream

This stream allows the OINP to target foreign workers who have a valid job offer in a skilled occupation with an employer in Ontario. The fundamental eligibility criterion is that the applicants must be willing to work and settle in the province permanently.

2. International Student Stream

Under this stream, Ontario nominates international students with valid job offers in Ontario. The purpose is to, assist international graduates to settle as permanent residents in Ontario who can contribute to the province’s workforce needs.

3. In-Demand Skills Stream

This stream allows Ontario to nominate foreign workers in Canada or any other country with a valid job offer in any in-demand occupation. Eligible In-Demand skills occupations in Ontario include:

NOC Code	Occupation
3413	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
4412	Home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
7441	Residential and commercial installers and servicers
7511	Transport truck drivers
7521	Heavy equipment operators (except crane)
8431	General farmworkers
8432	Nursery and greenhouse workers
8611	Harvesting labourers
7611	Construction trades helpers and labourers
9462	Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, related workers

Business Category

The OINP’s Business Category includes two streams to target individuals and corporates who are willing to establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Ontario. The two streams under this category are:

1. Entrepreneur Stream

This stream allows the OINP to target individual entrepreneurs who are planning to establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Ontario. A temporary work permit support letter is offered to the applicants who are nominated under this stream. This temporary work permit support letter is provided to these applicants based on a performance agreement so that they can set up a business in Ontario. If applicants meet all the investment and job creation agreements stated in the performance agreement, then they may receive a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

2. Corporate Stream

This stream allows the OINP to assist established international corporations to expand their business in Ontario or purchase an existing business. After the establishment of the business, key personnel can apply for a provincial nomination. Thus, they can qualify for obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

Note: This stream has been terminated by the OINP and candidates cannot apply for PR visas under this stream any longer.

Which OINP streams are closed to applicants currently?

The following OINP streams are currently not accepting applications:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
• Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
• Masters Graduate Stream

All the other six streams are currently accepting applications for immigration to Canada. 

Not sure how to start with the application process for Ontario’s Provincial Program? Do not worry, Make home Canada is at your service. With the expert guidance of our immigration consultants, you can easily decide how to start with your application to immigrate to Canada. We will guide you about the various open streams in multiple PNPs for immigration to different provinces and territories. Contact us now to plan your pathway for Canadian immigration.