Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Why Choose Ontario for Your New Home?
Ontario, known for its dynamic cities and abundant economic opportunities, is Canada’s top destination for immigrants. Home to nearly 40% of the country’s population, Ontario is more than just a province—it’s a thriving centre of diversity, innovation, and growth. If you’re considering making Ontario your home, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is your pathway to a prosperous future.
What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)?
Since its inception in 2007, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has played a key role in shaping immigration to Ontario. The program aims to address skill shortages, foster investment, and help newcomers integrate smoothly into their new communities. Through the OINP, qualified candidates can be nominated for permanent residence, opening doors to countless opportunities in Ontario.
Categories Under the OINP
The OINP identifies and invites potential candidates directly through a Notification of Interest (NOI). Applicants cannot apply to the OINP without first receiving an NOI, which makes them eligible to seek a provincial nomination.
Ontario offers four primary immigration streams under the OINP, designed to meet the diverse skills and goals of immigrants:
- Human Capital Category
- Masters or Ph.D. Graduate Category
- Employer Job Offer Category
- Business Category
Each stream provides a tailored pathway to help you achieve your aspirations and start a new chapter in Ontario.
Human Capital Priorities Stream
Eligibility Criteria
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- Express Entry: A valid Express Entry profile and Job Seeker Validation Code are required.
- Federal Programs: Must meet the criteria for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
- Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or higher is required; three-year diplomas are ineligible.
- Educational Credential Assessment: Required if your degree was obtained outside of Canada.
- Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 7 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking in either English or French.
- No Job Offer Required
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds based on family size.
- Immigration Status: Valid status in Canada is required if applying from within the country.
The OINP evaluates candidates based on their primary National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Eligibility Criteria
- Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 7 in French and CLB 6 in English.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- Express Entry: A valid Express Entry profile and Job Seeker Validation Code are required.
- Federal Programs: Must meet the criteria for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
- Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or higher is required; three-year diplomas are ineligible.
- Educational Credential Assessment: Required if your degree was obtained outside of Canada.
- No Job Offer Required
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds based on family size.
- Immigration Status: Valid status in Canada is required if applying from within the country.
Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
Eligibility Criteria
- Work Experience: At least one year of full-time paid work experience in Ontario within the last two years, in specific NOC groups.
- Licensing: Valid certificate or license required if applicable.
- Residency: Must currently reside in Ontario with a valid work permit.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- No Job Offer Required
- Express Entry: A valid Express Entry profile and Job Seeker Validation Code are required.
- Federal Programs: Must meet the criteria for the Canadian Experience Class.
- Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 5 in all sections of an approved language test.
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds based on family size.
Masters Graduate Stream
Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Must have completed at least one year of full-time study and obtained a Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university.
- Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 7 in all sections of an approved language test.
- Residency: Must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds based on family size.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Required before applying.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- Application Timing: Must apply within two years of obtaining the Master’s degree.
PhD Graduate Stream
Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Must have obtained a PhD from an eligible Ontario university, with at least two years of study completed in Ontario.
- Residency: Must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds based on family size.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Required before applying.
- Immigration Status: Valid status in Canada is required if applying from within the country.
- Application Timing: Must apply within two years of obtaining the PhD degree.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
Job Offer Criteria
- Position: Must be full-time, paid, permanent, and in a TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation according to the NOC.
- Wage: Must meet or exceed the median wage level for the occupation and region.
- Employer: The position must be essential to the business, and the work must primarily be in Ontario.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Required before applying.
Applicant Criteria
- Work Experience: At least two years of full-time work experience in the same occupation within the last five years.
- Licensing: Valid license or authorization if required.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
Job Offer Criteria
- Position: Must be full-time, paid, permanent, and in a TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation according to the NOC.
- Wage: Must meet or exceed the low wage level for the occupation and region.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Required before applying.
- Employer: The position must be essential to the business, and the work must primarily be in Ontario.
Applicant Criteria
- Education: Must have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree/diploma from an eligible Canadian institution.
- Licensing: Valid license or authorization if required.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- Application Timing: Must apply within two years of the date on the degree/diploma.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
Job Offer Criteria
- Position: Must be full-time, paid, permanent, and in an in-demand NOC occupation.
- Wage: Must meet or exceed the median wage level for the occupation and region.
- Employer: The position must be essential to the business, and the work must primarily be in Ontario.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Required before applying.
Applicant Criteria
- Work Experience: At least nine months of full-time work experience in Ontario in the same in-demand occupation within the last three years.
- Licensing: Valid license or authorization if required.
- Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 4 in all sections of an approved language test.
- Education: Minimum high school diploma, assessed by an approved organization.
- Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
- Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds based on family size.
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Top Source Countries for Immigrants (2023):
- India
- China
- Philippines
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program has become a key part of the immigration system. Each province has its own targets and strategies to attract immigrants, particularly skilled workers. In 2023, about 105,000 new immigrants were expected through PNP.
International Students:
Canada is a popular destination for international students. As of 2023, Canada hosted over 800,000 international students, many of whom transition to permanent residency after graduation through programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Immigration Levels Plan 2024–2026:
The Canadian government aims to welcome 465,000 permanent residents in 2024, 485,000 in 2025, and 500,000 in 2026. This strategy reflects the country’s commitment to addressing labour shortages, promoting economic growth, and supporting humanitarian efforts.
Economic Immigrants:
Approximately 60% of Canada’s permanent residents arrive through economic immigration streams, such as the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Refugees and Asylum Seekers:
Canada is one of the world’s top resettlement countries, admitting thousands of refugees and asylum seekers each year. In 2022, Canada welcomed over 75,000 refugees and protected persons, showing its ongoing commitment to humanitarian efforts.
Multiculturalism:
Over 22% of Canada’s population is foreign-born, making it one of the most multicultural countries in the world. This diversity is integral to Canada’s identity, contributing to vibrant cities and economic growth.
Family Reunification:
Canada also prioritizes family reunification, with over 100,000 family members (spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents) admitted in 2023.
Aging Population:
By 2030, Canada’s aging population will increase the demand for skilled workers, with immigrants projected to fill a significant portion of these gaps. Currently, immigrants make up more than 25% of Canada’s workforce.
Immigration and the Economy:
In 2022, immigrants contributed significantly to Canada’s GDP growth, with highly skilled newcomers filling critical roles in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and engineering.
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Permanent Residents Economic Immigration
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Canada's Population Foreign-born
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Immigrants Make up Canadian Workforce
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