Ontario is Canada’s most popular landing destination for immigrants from around the world.
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 centre of Canada’s economic, social, and political life.
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a provincial nomination from Ontario, after which they can apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada.
The OINP accepts applications under the following immigration categories:
- Human Capital Category
- Employer Job Offer Category
- Business Category
Human Capital Category
The OINP Human Capital Category consists of five streams divided into two categories: Ontario’s Express Entry streams and the International Graduates streams.
Ontario’s Express Entry Streams
The OINP’s Express Entry streams are aligned with the federal government’s Express Entry selection system. Candidates can only apply for these streams if they have an active Express Entry profile and if they have received an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.
Ontario Express Entry: 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 successfully establish themselves and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.
The OINP also uses the Human Capital Priorities Stream to conduct occasional tech draws for Express Entry candidates with work experience in six tech-sector occupations.
Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
This stream allows Ontario to nominate French-Speaking skilled Express Entry candidates who have strong English language abilities, education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish themselves and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.
Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
The Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades stream targets tradespersons with ongoing or recent experience of working in Ontario.
International Graduates Streams
Ontario’s two International Graduate streams target international students who have recently obtained a master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible Ontario university.
Masters Graduate Stream
This stream targets individuals who have graduated with a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university. A job offer is not required.
PhD Graduate Stream
This stream targets individuals who have graduated from a PhD program at an eligible Ontario university. A job offer is not required.
Employer Job Offer Category
Through the Foreign Worker and International Student streams, Ontario employers can nominate foreign workers and/or international students with an eligible job offer in Ontario. Potential applicants may be living abroad or in Canada at the time of applying.
APRIL 28, 2021 UPDATE: The OINP opened an Expression of Interest System (EOI) for applications under the Foreign Worker and International Student streams. Individuals interested in applying for immigration under these streams can now register an expression of interest profile on the OINP online portal.
Foreign Worker Stream
This stream provides foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation in Ontario the capability to settle and work in the province.
International Student Stream
This stream assists international students with job offers in Ontario to work and settle as permanent residents in the province.
In-Demand Skills Stream
This stream targets foreign workers abroad or in Canada with a job offer in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture or construction.
Business Category
Entrepreneur Stream
This stream 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.
Corporate Stream
Note: The Ontario Corporate Stream has been terminated and is no longer accepting applications.
This stream 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.
Which OINP streams are currently open?
The Canada PNP Finder brings you updates on all OINP immigration streams, including news and draw histories. The filters on the Canada PNP Finder can also help you discover which streams are currently open, require a job offer and/or list Canadian education or work experience as a requirement.
