Skip to content

Advertisement

Rate article
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
5.00/5 - 2 votes
Share article

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.

Ontario immigration & the OINP

To many people, Ontario is the crown jewel in the Canadian landscape. This gigantic province, located in east-central Canada, is home the country’s largest city, Toronto, the national capital, Ottawa, and a host of other cities, towns, and communities that have welcomed newcomers from around the world for many decades.

But how do you move to Ontario? Apart from the federal programs, such as the programs managed under the Express Entry immigration system, Ontario immigration authorities also offer unique pathways to Canada.

For a full overview of the OINP, check out this video we made with Canada Abroad, one of a handful of regulated Canadian immigration consultants who Moving2Canada is proud to recommend:

In some cases, applicants to the OINP may be in the federal Express Entry pool. Indeed, the OINP currently includes three Express Entry-aligned streams. In these cases, an OINP provincial nomination leads to the applicant receiving 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, with an invitation to apply (ITA) to follow soon after when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts a draw from the pool.

The OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream has proven to be particularly popular since being introduced in 2015. There is also an OINP French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, for Express Entry candidates with ability in English and French, and an OINP Skilled Trades Stream, for Express Entry candidates with experience working in a trade in Ontario.

In other cases, applicants can arrive in Ontario via the OINP having never gone through the Express Entry system. International students and graduates benefit from OINP streams aimed at targeting newcomers with various levels of educational attainment.

Finally, there are OINP streams that focus on welcoming individuals and companies with business experience.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): An Overview

The following table shows the range of immigration streams and categories operated by the Ontario immigration authorities. Click on any item in the left column to learn more about that particular stream or category.

Ontario Express Entry

Stream/CategoryJob offer required?Basic criteria
Human Capital PrioritiesNoBe in the Express Entry pool as a FSW or CEC candidate and meet a minimum CRS score requirement determined by the director [of the OINP]
French-Speaking Skilled WorkerNoBe in the Express Entry pool as a FSW or CEC candidate with adequate-intermediate (CLB 7) or better French and developing-intermediate (CLB 6) or better English ability
Skilled TradesNoBe in the Express Entry pool as a CEC candidate and currently residing in Ontario, with work experience in a listed skilled trade occupation

Graduate Streams

Stream/CategoryJob offer required?Basic criteria
Masters GraduatesNoGraduated from a Master's program in Ontario within the last two years
PhD GraduatesNoGraduated from a PhD program in Ontario within the last two years

Employer Job Offer

Stream/CategoryJob offer required?Basic criteria
International StudentYesGraduated 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
Foreign WorkerYesHave a permanent job offer in a skilled occupation that meets the prevailing wage levels in Ontario for that occupation and region.
In-Demand SkillsYesRecently worked in Ontario in a high-demand construction or agriculture occupation

Business Streams

Stream/CategoryJob offer required?Basic criteria
EntrepreneurNo (but must create jobs)Terminated in 2024
Corporaten/aTerminated in 2019

Do you prefer to learn by video? For a detailed overview of these streams, we recommend this video guide from Deanne Acres-Lans, founder of Canada Abroad, an immigration consultancy based in Ontario, and one of Moving2Canada’s trusted partners:

 

As the table above shows, the OINP is a highly varied Canadian immigration program containing multiple streams. Some of the basic information may also be presented in a diagram.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

You can find out which OINP streams are open right now, in our PNP Canada Live Tracker.

Three steps to a successful OINP application

If you want to ensure that your OINP application is as successful and stress-free as possible then you need to make sure that you pay attention to the following helpful steps:

  1. Make sure you qualify: This may sound like a pretty obvious point to make but the reality is that many OINP applicants fail to ensure that they meet the minimum eligibility qualifying criteria. So, to avoid this stress make sure you meet all the mandatory requirements for the OINP stream you’ve applied for.
  2. Apply to be nominated by the Ontario government: Once you’ve chosen your stream, you must apply online, through the OINP e-Filing Portal. It takes between two to three hours to complete the application.The application cost for the employer job offer and human capital streams is either $1,500 or $2,000, and for the the business streams is $3,500 per business partner or key staff applicant.Application processing times vary, read Application Processing Times and Nominations Issued for more information.
  3. Apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence: If your application is successful and you are nominated by the Ontario government, the next step is to apply for permanent residence through IRCC. The Government of Canada makes the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.

Explore each OINP stream in detail

Get help with your Canadian immigration application

Do you need assistance in preparing an application for Canadian permanent residence? If so, view Moving2Canada’s Book an Immigration Consultant page to see our list of recommended, accredited representatives who can assist you in your goals.

About the author

Rebecca Major profile picture
RCIC logo

Rebecca Major

She/Her
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Rebecca Major is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (R511564) with nearly 15 years of licenced Canadian Immigration experience, gained after graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in the UK. She specializes in Canadian immigration at Moving2Canada.
Read more about Rebecca Major
Citation "Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)." Moving2Canada. . Copy for Citation