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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Check our table summary of all OINP streams, with their main criteria, their applicant fees, etc.
Home > Work in Canada > Permanent Residency > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) allows the government of Ontario to nominate individuals for immigration to Ontario.
The OINP is one of the most varied and dynamic of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), with streams and categories designed to welcome skilled workers, graduates, and business immigrants.
The OINP is one of the most varied and dynamic of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), with streams and categories designed to welcome skilled workers, graduates, and business immigrants.
Choosing Ontario Immigration
The Ontario province, located at the west of Québec, is the most populated province in Canada, with more than 38% of the Canadian population. The country’s largest city, Toronto and the national capital, Ottawa, are both located in the province. Welcoming immigration has been, for decades, a tradition of this massive province.
Apart from some federal programs, the immigration authorities of Ontario also propose some very specific pathways to the Canadian province. These can be split between Express Entry aligned streams, and the rest.
Indeed, the OINP currently includes three streams that are aligned with Express Entry. In case of a successful application, a provincial nomination is issued, leading the applicant to receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. The applicant receiving these points will automatically receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in the following Express Entry draw from the pool.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be eligible for Express Entry and being in the pool. There are streams targeted at international graduates from a university in Ontario, at the Masters or PhD level. Other streams are open for business people wishing to invest their money in the province to receive their nomination. Finally, there are streams that focus on welcoming individuals with experience and a job offer from a company in Ontario.
Apart from some federal programs, the immigration authorities of Ontario also propose some very specific pathways to the Canadian province. These can be split between Express Entry aligned streams, and the rest.
Indeed, the OINP currently includes three streams that are aligned with Express Entry. In case of a successful application, a provincial nomination is issued, leading the applicant to receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. The applicant receiving these points will automatically receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in the following Express Entry draw from the pool.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be eligible for Express Entry and being in the pool. There are streams targeted at international graduates from a university in Ontario, at the Masters or PhD level. Other streams are open for business people wishing to invest their money in the province to receive their nomination. Finally, there are streams that focus on welcoming individuals with experience and a job offer from a company in Ontario.
Overview of Ontario's Immigrant Nominee Programs
The following table shows the range of immigration streams and categories operated by the Ontario immigration authorities.
| Stream | Main Criteria (not exhaustive) | Job Offer Required? | Aligned with Express Entry | Application Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category: Human Capital | ||||
| French-Speaking Skilled Worker | Be in the Express Entry pool as a FSW or CEC candidate with CLB 7 or better in French and CLB 6 or better in English | No | Yes | $1,500 |
| Human Capital Priorities | Be in the Express Entry pool as a FSW or CEC candidate with a minimum of CRS points as determined by the Director. | No | Yes | $1,500 |
| Skilled Trades | Be in the Express Entry pool as a CEC candidate and currently residing and with work experience in Ontario, in a listed skilled trade occupation listed in NOC groups 633, 72, 73, or 82 | No | Yes | $1,500 |
| Masters Graduate | Graduation from a Master's program within the last two years at an eligible publicly-funded university in Ontario that is at least one academic year in length if pursued on a full-time basis | No | No | $1,500 |
| PhD Graduate | Graduation from a PhD program within the last two years at an eligible publicly-funded university in Ontario that is at least one academic year in length if pursued on a full-time basis | No | No | $1,500 |
| Category: Business | ||||
| Corporate | Min investment of $5 million in Ontario Creation of 5 new jobs in Ontario per foreign incoming staff | No | No | $3,500 |
| Entrepreneur | Min 3 years business owner or senior manager experience Min net worth of $800,000 and min investment of $500,000 Creation of 2 new jobs | No | No | $3,500 |
| Category: Employer Job Offer | ||||
| Foreign Worker | Full-time job offer of an indeterminate duration in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B) that meets the median wage levels in Ontario | Yes | Yes | $2,000 inside GTA $1,500 outside GTA |
| International Student | The same full-time job offer as above, and graduation from a degree program at a Canadian college or university that is at least two years in length, or a diploma program at a college or university that is at least a one-year post-graduate certificate program | Yes | Yes | $1,500 |
| In-demand Skills | Full-time job offer of an indeterminate duration in an eligible (see below), and that meets the median wage levels in Ontario, and at least 1 year of eligible previous work experience in Ontario | Yes | Yes | $2,000 inside GTA $1,500 outside GTA |