Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Ontario is one of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories. It is Canada's second largest province, bordering the United States as well as the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Manitoba.
Ontario is home to Canada's capital city, Ottawa, as well as the country's largest and bustling city, Toronto. Ontario has spectacular and famous landmarks such as the Niagara
Falls, Lake Ontario, CN Tower, and Parliament Hill.
The province welcomes one-third of all newcomers each year and is a popular destination for newcomers due to its abundant job opportunities, high income, and diverse population.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s economic immigration flagship program working in collaboration with the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The OINP's main goals are to address skill shortages in targeted areas, make it easier to invest in Ontario, and ensure that newcomers can settle and integrate well in the province.
How Does OINP Work?
Workers with foreign experience, international students, and others with the necessary skills, experience, and education apply to OINP for nomination under this program.
The OINP selects and nominates applicants for permanent residence based on the skills and experience the Ontario economy needs, and the Government of Canada makes the final decision through the Express Entry system on whether to approve an applicant for permanent residence.
A candidate who receives nomination from a province is automatically awarded 600 additional points, effectively guaranteeing getting an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
In Ontario, 300,00 jobs remained unfilled as of the end of December 2022.
The OINP Streams
The underlisted streams operate through the OINP’s Expression of Interest System
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Students Stream
- Employment Offer: In demand Skills Stream
- Masters Graduate Stream
- PhD Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
This stream is designed for foreign workers who have a job offer in a skilled occupation and want to work and live in Ontario permanently. This program is open to foreign workers both inside and outside of Canada.
To receive a Nomination Certificate, both the applicant and the employer must demonstrate that the eligibility requirements have been met. Employers must fill out an employer form, which is then attached to the applicant's OINP application.
Below is a breakdown of the key ingredients of the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream.
Applicant’s Eligibility Requirement
To be eligible, candidates must;
- Have qualifying full-time job and permanent job offer in a skilled occupation from National Occupational Classification’s TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 1,2, or 3 (NOC).
- Have a minimum level of work experience, or a valid license or authorization from regulatory body in Ontario
- Intend to live in Ontario
- Hold legal status including visitor record, study permit, work permit and should maintain that status until nomination.
Job Offer Requirements
The job offer must meet the following requirements:
- It must be a full time and permanent position
- The job offered must be in a skilled occupation at TEER category 0, 1,2 or 3 of NOC
Median Wage Level
The job offered must pay at or above the median wage level for that occupation in the specific region of Ontario where you will be working.
Position is Necessary to Employer’s Business
The position offered must be critical to your employer's operations.
Work is in Ontario
The work you do while in the position of the job offer must be in Ontario.
Employer Requirements
To be eligible under the Employer Job Offer Category, your employer must;
- Have been in active business for at least three years before submitting your application
- Demonstrate enough effort was made to recruit a Canadian citizen or PR.
- Meet revenue requirements
- Must have at least five (5) full time employees who are Canadian citizens or PRs
Employer Job Offer:
Foreign Worker Stream
The International Student Stream allows international students who have a job offer in a skilled occupation to apply to live and work in Ontario permanently.
Applicant Eligibility Requirement
To be considered for the Employer Offer: International Student Stream, an applicant must:
- Have graduated or have satisfied the requirements of a full-time degree or diploma program at an eligible Canadian college or university that is at least two years in length OR a degree, diploma, or certificate that takes at least one year to complete (on a full-time basis) and requires a complete degree as an admission requirement;
- Have completed more than half of their studies while lawfully residing in Ontario
- Have full-time and permanent job offer in a skilled occupation in TEER 0,1,2 or 3 in Ontario
- Prove an intention to reside in Ontario.
- Hold a valid licence or authorization required for the job
- Have and maintain legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) in Ontario throughout the application period if the applicant is residing in Canada. Applicants with Implied Status can apply to the employment Job Offer: International Student Stream.
- Apply to the OINP within two years of completing the requirement
Employer Requirements
Your employer must;
- Have been in active business for at least three years before submitting your application
- Demonstrate enough effort was made to recruit a Canadian citizen or PR.
- Meet revenue requirements
- Must have at least five (5) full time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Job Offer Requirements
The job offer must be full-time, in a permanent position classified as TEER 0,1,2 or 3 and satisfies or exceed the low wage level for the occupation in the region where the applicant will be employed.
Applying under International
Student Stream
After completing the online registration, the applicant has 14 calendar days to complete and submit the application, or the registration will expire and be withdrawn.
If the applicant is nominated by the OINP, he or she will receive a Letter of Nomination (Nomination Approval Letter, Work Permit Support Letter, and Confirmation of Nomination) (OINP Certificate of Nomination).
Nominations are valid for 6 months and the Certificate of Nomination may be extended upon request depending on circumstances approved by the OINP.
Employment Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
Foreign workers with job offers in high-demand occupations such as agriculture, construction, and others can apply to live and work in Ontario permanently. This is open to foreign workers in and outside Canada.
The Employer Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream immigration pathway program must conform to the following requirements:
- Job offer must be for a full-time and permanent
- Job pay must meet or be higher than the median wage level for that occupation The position should be urgent and necessary to the employer’s business
- The work must be based in Ontario
- Applicant must receive an invitation to apply from Ontario after they register with the OINP
- You must have at least 9 months of cumulative paid full-time work experience
- You must have a valid licence or other authorization (if applicable)
- You must take a language test in either English or French and must be at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher
- You must have a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or credential, or its equivalent in another country.
- Your employer must have been in active business for at least three years prior to submitting application.
- The employer must meet the relevant revenue requirement for the previous tax year
- Your employer’s business must have at least 3-5 five full-time Canadian or PR employees
- Employer must fill out and sign Employer Form
Positions in the In-Demand Skills Stream
NOC
94100
94105
94106
94107
94110
94111
94124
94132
94140
94201
94204
94213
94219
95102
Occupation
Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
Metalworking and forging machine operators
Machining tool operators
Machine operators of other metal products
Chemical plant machine operators
Plastics processing machine operators
Woodworking machine operators
Industrial sewing machine operators
Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities
NOC | Occupation
94100
Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
94105
Metalworking and forging machine operators
94106
Machining tool operators
94107
Machine operators of other metal products
94110
Chemical plant machine operators
94111
Plastics processing machine operators
94124
Woodworking machine operators
94132
Industrial sewing machine operators
94140
Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
94201
Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
94204
Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
94213
Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
94219
Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
95102
Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities
Human Capital Priorities Stream
There are three subcategories under the Human Capital Priorities stream. These include Human Capital Stream, Skilled Trades Stream, and French-Speaking Skilled Worker.
These streams operate through the federal government’s Express Entry system.
To qualify, you must have an Express Entry profile and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario.
Human Capital
Stream
The Human Capital Stream (HCS) is a component of Ontario Express Entry stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
It allows foreign workers with the necessary skilled work experience, language abilities, and education to apply to live and work permanently in Ontario.
The HCS has two options:
HCS Eligibility Requirements
Work Experience: Federal Skilled Worker Program
To qualify for this stream, you must have at least one year of continuous paid full-time work experience obtained within the last five years (of the equivalent in paid part-time work) in TEER 0,1,2 or 3 of the National occupation Classification.
Work Experience: Canadian Experience Class
To qualify for this stream, you must have at least one year of continuous paid full-time work experience obtained within the last 3 years (of the equivalent in paid part-time work) in Canada in TEER 0,1,2 or 3 of the National occupation Classification.
Education
You must have a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree or its equivalent from another country.
If you completed your studies outside of Canada, you must get an Educational Credential Assessment report that proves your education is equivalent to a Canadian degree.
Language
You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English or French at a level 7 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or equivalent.
Canadian Language Benchmark describe 12 levels of ability in each of four different language skills—Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing
Approved English Tests
Approved French Tests:
Settlement Funds
You must have enough money to support yourself and any dependent family members.
Intention to Live in Ontario
You must plan to live in Ontario once you have been granted permanent residence.
Legal Status in Canada
If you apply from within Canada, you must have legal status (visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and must maintain that status until nomination. You may apply if you are in 'implied status' at the time you submit your OINP application.
Skilled Trades Stream
The Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream operates under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
This option allows people with relevant Ontario work experience in eligible skilled trades to apply to live and work in Ontario permanently.
Before you can apply to be nominated for permanent residence by the Ontario government, you must have a valid profile in the federal government's Express Entry system and have received a Notification of Interest from Ontario.
Canada doubles immigration program for out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area
Skills Trades Eligibility Requirements
Work Experience
You must have at least one year of paid full-time work experience (or the equivalent in paid part-time work) in Ontario for the following job categories:
- Industrial, electrical and construction workers)
- Maintenance and equipment operations workers)
- Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- Occupations in natural resources and related production)
- Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors
- Butchers, bakers
Valid Certificate or Licence (if applicable)
If you are claiming work experience in a compulsory (regulated) skills trade, you must have a valid certificate or licence in Ontario at the time you apply.
Current Residence in Ontario and legal status in Canada
You must be a resident of Ontario with a valid Work Permit at the time you apply. If your work permit has expired, you may still apply to the OINP if you have applied to IRCC to renew or extend your work permit before it expires.
Language
You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English or French at a level 5 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
Approved English Tests
Approved French Tests:
Settlement Funds
When you move to Canada, you must have enough money to support yourself and any dependent family members.
Intention to Live in Ontario
You must plan to live in Ontario once you have been granted permanent residence. The Ontario government determines this by investigating your ties to the province.
french-speaking skilled worker stream
The French-speaking skilled worker stream is an immigration stream sanctioned under the OINP. It allows French-speaking workers with strong English language abilities to apply to live and work permanently in Ontario.
An applicant must have a valid profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system to receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario.
Eligibility Requirements
Work Experience: Federal Skilled Worker Program
To qualify for this stream, you must have
- At least one year of continuous paid full-time work experience obtained within the last five years (of the equivalent in paid part-time work) in TEER 0,1,2 or 3 of the National occupation Classification
Work Experience: Canadian Experience Class
- At least one year of continuous paid full-time work experience obtained within the last 3 years (of the equivalent in paid part-time work) in Canada in TEER 0,1,2 or 3 of the National occupation Classification
Education
You must have a Canadian bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree or its equivalent from another country. If you completed your studies outside of Canada, you must get an Educational Credential Assessment report that proves your education is equivalent to a Canadian degree
Language
You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English or French at a level 5 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
Approved French Tests:
Approved English Tests
Settlement Funds
When you move to Canada, you must have enough money to support yourself and any dependent family members.
Intention to Live in Ontario
You must plan to live in Ontario once you have been granted permanent residence. The Ontario government determines this by investigating your ties to the province
Legal Status in Canada
If you apply from within Canada, you must have legal status (visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and must maintain that status until nomination.
You may apply if you are in 'implied status' at the time you submit your OINP application.
Masters Graduate and PhD Streams
The Masters Graduate and PhD Streams allow international graduates with an Ontario Master's degree or PhD to apply to live and work permanently in Ontario.
Eligibility Requirements
After you receive an invitation to apply, you can apply to the Master’s Graduate stream if
- You have at least one academic year of full-time study at the master’s level OR You must have completed the requirements necessary to obtain a PhD degree
- You can understand, read, write, and speak in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark level 7 or higher
- You have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years
- You have settlement funds
- You intend to live in Ontario
Ontario Regional Immigration Pilot (ORIP)
The Regional Immigration Pilot operates within Employer Job Offer Category. The pilot program assists Ontario in attracting and retaining immigrants to rural and small communities in Ontario to fill labour shortages. It also contributes to the economic growth of these communities.
This pilot is for people who have a job offer from an employer in a pilot community.
The Ontario Regional Immigration Pilot includes three pilot communities:
- Chatham-Kent;
- Cities of Belleville and Quinte West;
- City of Cornwall.
To be eligible to immigrate to Ontario through its Regional Immigration Pilot, you must;
- Have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in one of the pilot communities;
- Meet the criteria for one of the Employer Job Offer streams.
If you are interested in applying to the ORIP, you must register an Expression of Interest (EOI). If you want to relocate or live in Ontario permanently, schedule a consultation with us by completing the Free Online Assessment or Contact us and our immigration expect will assist you.
Entrepreneur Stream
The Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration pathway administered under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This stream is dedicated to entrepreneurs from outside Canada interested in setting up a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario.
It affords successful applicant 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.
Minimum Requirement
You must meet the following requirements:
- You must have at least 24 months of business experience in the last 60 months
- You must have a minimum of $800,000 Canadian if business will be or is located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and $400,000 Canadian if business is outside the GTA
- You must be actively involved in the management of the business
- The purpose of the business must be to make profit
- You must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Language requirement in either English or French with CLB 4
- You must reside in Ontario for 75% of the time during which you are establishing your business
- You must receive a temporary work permit and arrive in Ontario within 12 months of receiving approval at stage 1 and inform the program of your arrival within seven days.
- Meet all commitments agreed to in your performance agreement