Ontario

What is Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program? (OINP)

Ontario is the top destination for immigrants in Canada. As the country's most populous province, nearly 40 percent of Canadians reside in Ontario. It is home to Canada's capital, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. Ontario attracts one-third of all newcomers to Canada each year, largely due to its abundant job opportunities, high incomes, and diverse population. Notably, over half of Toronto's residents were born outside of Canada.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), allows prospective immigrants with the desired skills and experience to receive a provincial nomination. This nomination enables them to apply for Canadian permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What are the major categories/ streams in Ontario PNP?

1.     Human Capital Category

·       Human Capital Priorities

·       Skilled Trades

·       French Speaking Skilled Workers

2.     Master’s and PhD Graduate Stream

3.     Employer Job Offer Category

·       Foreign Workers Steam

·       International Students Stream

·       In Demand Skills Stream

4.     Business Category

_____________________________________________________________________________

Ø Human Capital Category

The Human Capital Category is divided into two sub-streams, with the Ontario Express Entry being one of them. Programs within this sub-stream are enhanced, meaning they are linked with the Express Entry system.

Programs in the Human Capital Category: Ontario Express Entry sub-stream include:

Human Capital Priorities: This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Additional requirements:

• Must have a valid Express Entry profile.
• Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience.
• Must have a bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree.
• Language requirement: CLB level 7 or higher (English or French).

Skilled Trades: For individuals with relevant Ontario work experience in an eligible trade occupation.

Additional requirements:

• Must have a valid Express Entry profile.
• Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience.
• Must have a valid certificate or licence (if applicable).
• Must be currently living in Ontario and hold a valid work permit at the time of application.
• Language requirement: CLB level 5 or higher (English or French).

French-Speaking Skilled Worker: This program, like Human Capital Priorities, operates through FSWP and CEC. Applicants must have strong skills in both French and English.

Additional requirements:

• Must have a valid Express Entry profile.
• Must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience.
• Must have a bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree.
• Language requirement: CLB level 7 or higher (French).

If you receive a nomination through Ontario Express Entry, you will be notified and can choose to accept or refuse it. Accepting the nomination awards you an extra 600 CRS points, ensuring you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next all-program Express Entry draw.

Minimum Requirements:

To be eligible under one of the streams in the Human Capital Category:

• Must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
• Must intend to live in Ontario.

How it works

Identify the stream you qualify for under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Sign up for a One-key account on the OINP website. After registration, create a profile and start your application through the portal by selecting the file number next to the stream you want to apply for. Upload all required documents. If applying for an Express Entry stream, ensure your profile remains valid until you are nominated.

 If your application is successful, you will receive a Nomination Approval Letter and an OINP Certificate of Nomination via email.

·       For Express Entry Streams: You will get your nomination through your Express Entry profile. Accepting the nomination will add 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

·       For Graduate Streams: You must apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months. Include your Nomination Approval Letter and Certificate of Nomination with your application.

Ø Master’s and PhD Graduate Streams

The following programs are not aligned with Express Entry. Applicants must create a profile and register an Expression of Interest (EOI):

Master’s Graduate Stream

Eligibility:

• Must have a master’s degree from an eligible university in Ontario.
• Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
• Language requirement: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher in English or French.

PhD Graduate Stream

Eligibility:

• Must have a PhD from an eligible university in Ontario.
• Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.

Note: Both the master’s Graduate Stream and the PhD Graduate Stream utilize Ontario's Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

• Application Fee: CAD $1,500
• Processing Time: 30-60 days

Ø Employer Job Offer Category

The Employer Job Offer Category includes three distinct streams:

Foreign Worker Stream

Eligibility:

• For skilled workers with a job offer in Ontario.
• Must have two years of work experience if the occupation does not require a license or other authorization.
• The pay must be higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario.

Fees:

• CAD $1,500 if the job offer is outside the Greater Toronto Area.
• CAD $2,000 if the job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, and Peel regions).

Processing Time: 60-90 days

International Students Stream

Eligibility:

• For recent graduates of Ontario post-secondary institutions.
• Must have a full-time, permanent job offer in an eligible occupation in Ontario.
• Must possess the necessary work experience, license, or other authorization required to perform the job.
• Must intend to live in Ontario.
• Employer must meet additional requirements related to business, revenue, and employment.

Fee: CAD $1,500

Processing Time: 90-120 days

In-Demand Skills Stream

Eligibility:

• For intermediate skilled workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction, trucking, and personal support work.
• Must have a full-time, permanent job offer in an eligible occupation in Ontario.
• Must have nine months of work experience.
• Language requirement: CLB 4 or higher in English or French.
• Must have a high school diploma.
• The pay must be higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario.
• Must intend to live in Ontario.
• Employer must meet additional requirements related to business, revenue, and employment.

Fees:

• CAD $1,500 if the job offer is outside the Greater Toronto Area.
• CAD $2,000 if the job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, and Peel regions).

Processing Time: 60-90 days

How it works

 To begin the process, you are required to create a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal and register your Expression of Interest (EOI). This is the first step in applying for any of the streams under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Ontario regularly holds provincial draws to invite the highest-ranking candidates in the pool. If you are one of the selected candidates, you will receive a notification in the OINP portal. This notification signifies that you have been invited to apply for the program. Once you receive an invitation, you must act promptly and submit your application within 14 calendar days. The application process is streamlined and can be completed through your One-key account

Business Category:

The Business Category is tailored for individuals interested in starting or purchasing a business in Ontario, with the Entrepreneur Stream being the sole stream currently available.

Application Details:

Application Fee: CAD $3,500

Processing Time:

• EOI Assessment: Less than 30 days
• Application: Depends on the complexity of the application.

Minimum Requirements:

• Business experience of 24 months in the last 60 months.
• Net worth of CAD $800,000 if the business is in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), or CAD $400,000 if outside the GTA.
• Minimum personal investment of CAD $600,000 if in the GTA, or CAD $200,000 if outside the GTA.
• Must control at least one-third of the equity in the business.
• Actively involved in the management of the business.
• Main purpose of investment must be profit-making.
• Create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if in the GTA, or one permanent full-time job if outside the GTA. Different requirements apply if the business is in the information and communications sector or digital communications sector.
• Additional requirements apply for purchasing an existing business.

How it Works:

Begin by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) by requesting a registration form from the OINP via email. Once completed, email it back. Your profile will then be ranked against other candidates. Ontario regularly conducts draws where the highest-ranked candidates are invited to submit an application to the Entrepreneur Stream through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Additionally, you'll need to engage a qualified vendor to review your personal net worth and legal accumulation of funds.

Contact Visa Nexa for Immigration Assistance

Need Canadian immigration assistance for OINP? Visa Nexa Inc. is here to help. We can assess your eligibility and submit your application to the Canadian government. With over 10 years of expertise, Visa Nexa in Mississauga, Ontario has been helping clients achieve their dream of becoming Canadians. Our head offices are in Delhi (VISAWALK) and Chandigarh (The Mentors). Reach out to us today and take the first step toward your new life in Canada!

Click here to fill the CONTACT US form