How to Apply for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
You may have an opportunity to fast track your Canadian permanent residence by applying for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. Learn more below, and fill out our free immigration assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
2024 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Do You Want To Work and Live in Ontario?
If you are interested in living and working in Ontario, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program may be for you. Ontario is Canada’s fastest growing province with cities such Toronto and Ottawa growing at a fast pace. Job opportunities in Ontario make living in Ontario an attractive option for many foreign workers seeking stable, long term employment.
Although Ontario is the most populated Canadian province, it is facing a skilled labor shortage. Therefore, Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) plays a critical role in helping to meet this demand. However, the system currently receives more applicants than it is allowed to select. In the meantime, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, which includes five of Ontario’s communities, could help ease the labor shortage.
The OINP is an employer-driven program in that candidates cannot apply unless they have a permanent full-time job offer from an Ontario employer, or have obtained a PhD from a publicly-funded Ontario university. There is generally a two-step process to nomination.
Ontario PNP’s Two-Step Process to Nomination
Ontario has different immigration categories. You apply for the Employer eligibility, business and international student categories through those specific streams. Ontario also uses Canada’s Express Entry system as a way to streamline the application process.
- Expression of Interest
- Masters/PhD Streams
- Express Entry Streams
Employer Eligibility
This category covers the foreign workers with job offers and employers seeking employees to fill specific roles.
Requirements for Employer Eligibility
Employers in the GTA must:
Have been in active business for at least 3 years;
Have at least $1,000,000 gross revenue in the previous fiscal year;
Have at least five permanent full-time employees; and
Have a place of business located in ON.
Employers outside the GTA must:
Have been in active business for at least three years;
Have at least $500,000 in gross revenues in the previous fiscal year;
Have at least three permanent full-time employees; and
Have a place of business located in ON.
Position Criteria
Be permanent, full-time positions;
In a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B);
Meet prevailing wage levels;
Not affect the settlement of any labour dispute; and
Be necessary for the company’s operations.
Ontario's Expression of Interest Streams
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
The Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream allows foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation to apply for permanent residency in Ontario.
To be eligible, your job offer must be in a skilled occupation classified under TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This stream is available to foreign workers both within and outside of Canada.
Before applying, you must register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and receive an invitation to apply. Once invited, you can submit an online application to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
If nominated, your next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), who will make the final decision on your permanent resident status.
Requirements for the Foreign Worker stream:
A full time job offer from an approved ON employer in a skilled occupation (listed NOC A, B, or 0);
A minimum of 2 years of work experience within the past 5 years in the intended occupation;
Received an Employer Pre-Screen Approved Position Form;
An offered wage that meets the prevailing wage level in ON for the occupation;
Legal status, if the prospective nominee is in Canada.
Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
The Employer Job Offer: International Student stream allows international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation to apply for permanent residency in Ontario.
To qualify, your job offer must be in a skilled occupation classified under TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
This stream is available to international students both within and outside of Canada, and work experience is not a mandatory requirement.
Before applying, you must register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and receive an invitation to apply. Once invited, you can submit an online application to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residency.
If nominated, your final step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which will make the ultimate decision on your permanent resident status.
Requirements for the International Student Stream:
- Graduated (or soon be graduating) from an approved publicly funded Canadian college or university in the past two years;
A full time job offer in NOC A, B, 0;
Received an Employer Pre-screen Approved Position Form;
An offered wage that meets the prevailing entry level wage in ON; and
Legal status.
The International PhD Graduate stream
For graduates of PhD programs at Ontario publicly-funded universities.
Do not need a job offer.
The international Masters Graduate stream.
For students who have graduated or are in the last semester of an existing Masters program at an eligible university in ON.
Do not need a job offer.
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
The Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream provides foreign workers with job offers in specific high-demand occupations, such as agriculture, construction, and other selected fields, the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Ontario. This stream is open to foreign workers both within and outside of Canada.
Before applying, you must register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and receive an invitation to apply. Once invited, you can submit an online application to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
If nominated, your final step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which will make the ultimate decision on your permanent resident status.
Ontario's Express Entry Streams
If you have an Express Entry Profile, it can be used for immigration to Ontario. The streams that use Express Entry are:
Human Capital Priorities Stream
The Human Capital Priorities Stream in Ontario is a key immigration pathway under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It targets skilled foreign workers who have the education, work experience, and language proficiency to contribute to Ontario’s economy. This stream operates through the federal Express Entry system and aims to attract highly skilled individuals to live and work permanently in Ontario.
French-Speaking Skilled Workers
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream in Ontario is an immigration pathway under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) specifically designed for French-speaking foreign workers who have strong English language abilities and want to live and work permanently in Ontario. This stream is part of the federal Express Entry system and aims to attract bilingual candidates to help meet the province’s labor market needs and enhance its cultural diversity.
Skilled Trades Stream
The Skilled Trades stream allows workers with experience in certain skilled trades to apply for permanent residence in Ontario. It’s aimed at addressing labor shortages in high-demand sectors, particularly in industries like construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation.
Key Requirements
Express Entry Profile: You must have a valid profile in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.
Work Experience: You need to have at least one year of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time) within the last two years in Ontario in a skilled trade listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 2 or 3. The experience must be in an occupation that falls within the eligible sectors for the stream.
Valid License or Certification (if applicable): If your trade requires certification or licensing in Ontario, you must have a valid certificate or license at the time of application.
Residency in Ontario: You must be living in Ontario at the time of application and have legal status in Canada (e.g., work permit, study permit).
Language Proficiency: You need to demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 or higher.
Settlement Funds: You must have enough funds to support yourself and your dependents when you settle in Ontario, or be currently working in Ontario.
Intention to Reside in Ontario: You must show a genuine intention to live and work in Ontario permanently.
Why Hire Us to Help with Your Ontario PNP Application?
While the procedures for applying for an Ontario PNP may seem uncomplicated, some applicants apply without seeking any help from an immigration lawyer, thinking that they can “do it themselves”.
For Ontario PNPs, there is a higher risk of refusal in cases where the application is not properly prepared. The standards are very high.
The documentation and processes involved in successfully obtaining a PNP are complex and usually require legal expertise.
We have helped hundreds of individuals and their families successfully immigrate to Canada through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. Our experienced immigration lawyers will be able to assess your case and recommend a course of action to best serve your needs.
The first step towards your Ontario Provincial Nominee Program application is getting an assessment of your case. Fill out our free immigration assessment form and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
Make it happen!
Book a consultation and start your immigration process now!