ONTARIO IMMIGRATION NOMINEE PROGRAM (OINP)
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an economic immigration program that operates in partnership with the Government of Canada through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Foreign workers and international students with relevant experience and education can apply to be nominated through the OINP.
The OINP recognizes and nominates individuals with skills and experience that the Ontario economy needs, and the Government of Canada makes the final decision on approving permanent residency applications.
employer job OFFER: foreign worker
The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It gives foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) the opportunity to apply for a nomination from the OINP to permanently live and work in Ontario. This stream is open to foreign workers in and outside of Canada. This stream is now operated under an expression of interest system. You can only apply if you first register an expression of interest and are issued an invitation to apply.
This stream has a number of mandatory requirements you must meet in order to be eligible for nomination. These include:
- Has job offer (NOC 0, A, B) in Ontario from an employer that meets the province requirements.
- Have received an invitation to apply and applied within the deadline identified
- You must demonstrate that you had the qualifications that you claimed you had in the expression of interest that you registered with the OINP and attested to.
- You must meet one of the following requirements depending on the position of the job offer:
- If your job offer is for an occupation that requires a mandatory license or other authorization in Ontario, you must hold a valid license or authorization from the appropriate regulatory body in Ontario at the time of application submission.
- If your job offer is not for an occupation that requires a mandatory license or other authorization in Ontario, you must demonstrate work experience in the same occupation as the NOC code of your job offer.
- To meet the work experience requirement, you must have at least two years of cumulative paid full-time work experience (or the equivalent in paid part-time work) in the same occupation (same National Occupational Classification code) as your job offer.
- Gained this work experience within the five years prior to the date you submit your application, not the date you received the invitation to apply. If your work experience was gained in Canada, you must have been legally living and working in Canada.
- Intention to live in Ontario
- Having Employer Pre-screen Approval Letter, Joint Verification form, Pre-screen position form
- Attestation Form
- Photograph, passports, your family members’ passport
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, or any other Canadian immigration document
- Employer form, a copy of your employer’s job advertisements for the position being offered to you (if applicable), additional supporting documents from the employer (if required).
- Đề nghị việc làm, các bảng lương hiện tại, thỏa thuận tập thể, giấy phép hoặc quyền hạn, LMIA, nếu có.
- Employment/work experience reference letters, work contracts, proof of compensation, Canada Revenue Agency Statements, Self-Employment proof, Other work-related documentation
- Resumé
- Expression of interest selection factors
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
- Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Register an expression of interest for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- If you are selected from the candidate pool and receive an invitation to apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, you may submit an application online through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- If you are nominated, your next step is to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 6 months.
Application fee
- $1,500 if the job offer is outside of the Greater Toronto Area
- $2,000 if the job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions)
Processing time varies based on many factors.
Employer job offer: international student stream
Stream Employer Job Offer: International Student is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
It gives international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), the opportunity to apply for a nomination from the OINP to permanently live and work in Ontario.
This stream is open to international students in and outside of Canada. This stream is now operated under an expression of interest system. You can only apply if you first register an expression of interest and are issued an invitation to apply.
This stream has a number of mandatory requirements you must meet in order to be eligible for nomination. These include:
- Has job offer (NOC 0, A, B) in Ontario from an employer that meets the province requirements.
- The pay of the job offered must meet or be higher than the low wage level, for that occupation, in the specific region of Ontario where you will be working.
- Have received an invitation to apply and applied within the deadline identified.
- Must demonstrate that you had the qualifications that you claimed you had in the expression of interest that you registered with the OINP and attested to.
- If your job offer is for an occupation that requires a mandatory license or other authorization in Ontario, you must hold a valid license or authorization from the appropriate regulatory body in Ontario at the time of application submission.
- You must have received from an eligible Canadian institution one of the following:
- a degree or diploma that takes at least two years to complete if you study on a full-time basis, or
- a degree, diploma or certificate that takes at least one year to complete if you study on a full-time basis and that requires a completed degree as an admission requirement
- Intention to live in Ontario
- Having Employer Pre-screen Approval Letter, Joint Verification form, Pre-screen position form
- Apply within 2 years of obtaining degree
- Attestation Form
- Photograph, passports, your family members’ passport
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, or any other Canadian immigration document
- Employer form, additional supporting documents from the employer (if required).
- Đề nghị việc làm, các bảng lương hiện tại, thỏa thuận tập thể, giấy phép hoặc quyền hạn, LMIA, nếu có.
- Resumé
- Expression of interest selection factors
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
- Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Register an expression of interest for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- If you are selected from the candidate pool and receive an invitation to apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, you may submit an application online through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- If you are nominated, your next step is to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 6 months.
Application fee: $1,500
Processing time varies based on many factors.
Employer Job Offer: In-demand Skills Stream
Stream Employer Job Offer: In-demand Skills is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It gives foreign workers with a job offer in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture, construction, trucking, personal support work, and other select occupations the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario. To determine whether you are eligible to apply to this stream, please carefully review the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream requirements. This stream is open to foreign workers in and outside of Canada. This stream is now operated under an expression of interest system. You can only apply if you first register an expression of interest and are issued an invitation to apply.
- Has job offer (NOC C, D) in an eligible occupation (not seasonal) in Ontario from an employer that meets the province requirements.
- Must have at least 9 months of cumulative paid full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work) in Ontario, in the same in-demand occupation (same NOC code) as your job offer.
- Must have gained this work experience within the three years prior to the date you submit your application, not the date you received the invitation to apply, while legally living and working in Ontario.
- Valid license or other authorization (if applicable)
- English or French equivalent to CLB 4 or higher
- High school diploma or credential, or its equivalent in another country.
- Proof of funds and/or income in Ontario
- Signed Employer Form
- Attestation Form
- Photograph, passports, your family members’ passport
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, or any other Canadian immigration document
- Employer form, a copy of your employer’s job advertisements for the position being offered to you (if applicable), additional supporting documents from the employer (if required).
- Đề nghị việc làm, các bảng lương hiện tại, thỏa thuận tập thể, giấy phép hoặc quyền hạn, LMIA, nếu có.
- Employment/work experience reference letters, work contracts, proof of compensation, Canada Revenue Agency Statements, Self-Employment proof, Other work-related documentation
- Education documents
- Language test results
- Resumé
- Expression of interest selection factors
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
- Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Register an expression of interest for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- If you are selected from the candidate pool and receive an invitation to apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, you may submit an application online through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- If you are nominated, your next step is to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 6 months.
Application fee
- $1,500 if the job offer is outside of the Greater Toronto Area
- $2,000 if the job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions)
Processing time varies based on many factors.
MASTERS GRADUATE STREAM
Stream Masters Graduate is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It gives international graduates with an Ontario master’s degree the opportunity to apply for a nomination from the OINP to permanently live and work in Ontario. This stream is now operated under an expression of interest system. You can only apply if you first register an expression of interest and are issued an invitation to apply.
This stream has a number of mandatory requirements you must meet in order to be eligible for nomination. These include:
- One full-time-year degree (Part-time studies may qualify, if the program is equivalent to at least one full-time academic year)
- English or French CLB 7
- One cumulative year of residence in ON in the last 2 years before applying
- Residing in Ontario when applying OR outside of Canada (living in another province is not admissible)
- Not enrolled in future studies unless to meet licensing requirements for an ON regulated occupation or working full-time in ON
- Have received an invitation to apply and applied within the deadline identified.
- Have graduated or waiting degree from a Master’s program at an eligible ON institutions.
- Not having a bursary-return condition (can apply after fulfilling obligations)
- Meet the settlement funds requirement
- Apply within 2 years of obtaining degree
- Attestation Form
- Photograph, passports, your family members’ passport
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, or any other Canadian immigration document
- Residency in Ontario documents: phone bills, hydro or energy bills, car or home insurance, lease or rental agreement, pay slips from an Ontario
- Master’s degree, official transcripts, other university degrees, college diplomas or occupational certificates
- Language test results
- Bank statements, statements of accounts
- Ongoing employment in Ontario: pay slips, job offer (if applicable)
- Resumé
- Ongoing employment in Ontario: pay slips, job offer (if applicable)
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
- Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Register an expression of interest for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- If you are selected from the candidate pool and receive an invitation to apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, you may submit an application online through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- If you are nominated, your next step is to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 6 months.
Application fee: $1,500
Processing time varies based on many factors.
PHD Graduate Stream
Stream PhD Graduate is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It gives international graduates with an Ontario PhD degree the opportunity to apply for a nomination from the OINP to permanently live and work in Ontario. This stream is now operated under an expression of interest system. You can only apply if you first register an expression of interest and are issued an invitation to apply.
This stream has a number of mandatory requirements you must meet in order to be eligible for nomination. These include:
- At least two years of your PhD studies must have been completed while legally living and studying in Ontario
- Can apply from within Canada or abroad
- One cumulative year of residence in Ontario in the last 2 years before applying
- Have received an invitation to apply and applied within the deadline identified
- Meet the settlement funds requirement
- Must submit your application within two years of completing the requirements necessary to obtain your PhD degree
- Attestation Form
- Photograph, passports, your family members’ passport
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, or any other Canadian immigration document
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, or any other Canadian immigration document
- PhD degree, official transcripts, other university degrees, college diplomas or occupational certificates
- Bank statements, statements of accounts
- Pay slips, job offer (if applicable)
- Resumé
- Ongoing employment in Ontario: pay slips, job offer (if applicable)
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
- Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Register an expression of interest for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- If you are selected from the candidate pool and receive an invitation to apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, you may submit an application online through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- If you are nominated, your next step is to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 6 months.
Application fee: $1,500
Processing time varies based on many factors.
ENTREPRENEUR STREAM
Stream Entrepreneur is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It is established under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and its regulations. For your application to be approved you must follow the process and meet the criteria established under the regulations. This stream is for entrepreneurs from outside Canada interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario. It gives an 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.
Stage 1
- Entrepreneur can nominate 1 business partner who needs to comply to all the criteria as well.
- At least 24 months of full-time work experience as a business owner or as a senior manager (business management) in the last 60 months.
- Net worth: $800,000 if your proposed business is to be located within the Greater Toronto Area; OR
$400,000 if your proposed business is to be located outside the Greater Toronto Area - Investment: $600,000 if your proposed business is to be located within the Greater Toronto Area; OR
$200,000 if your proposed business is to be located outside the Greater Toronto Area - If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000
- If purchasing an existing business, must make an exploratory visit within the last 12 months before submitting EOI
- Each nominee must control at least one-third of the equity in the business.
- Job creation: 1-2 full-time jobs (depends on location and sector)
- Interviews, business plan, and performance agreement required
- Must also submit your application within 90 days of receiving an invitation.
Stage 2
- Live in Ontario for 75% of each year during the performance agreement period
- Active and ongoing management of business
- Establish the business within 20 months under a valid work permit to receive PR nomination
- Proven English/ French CLB 4 before PR application
- Resumé
- Business registration license, Registration with taxation authorities, Proof of shareholding, List of employees, Business Income Tax return, Financial statements, Article of Incorporation, Employment letters, organizational chart, work/employment contracts, pay slips, net worth report.
- Business-related visits, business plan, business ownership proof, T4 statements
- Official transcripts, university degrees, college diplomas or occupational certificates
- Language documents
- Photograph, passports, your family members’ passport
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
Stage 1
- Register an expression of interest
- If invited, submit an online application.
- You and your business partner (if applicable) attend a mandatory interview.
- If your stage 1 application is successful, you must sign a performance agreement.
Stage 2
- The province issues a temporary work permit support letter so that you can apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit.
- Establish your business - you have 20 months from the date you arrive in Ontario to implement your business plan and submit a final report.
- If your business meets all requirements, the province will ask you for documentation to make sure you are eligible for nomination for permanent residence.
Application fee: $3500 for you and $3500 for your business partner (if applicable).
Processing time varies based on many factors.