Temporary residents living in Ontario, Canada’s most popular arrival destination, have access to multiple avenues to permanent residency (PR) through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This is made possible by Ontario’s specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The OINP gives the local government the authority to extend invitations to immigrant applicants who they believe have the greatest potential to close demographic and labor market gaps in the community.
It is one of the eleven PNPs that the Canadian provinces and territory run.
Which OINP streams demand that you live in Ontario?
Three PNP streams in Ontario particularly call for previous or current residency in the region.
Stream of Skilled Trades: Human Capital Division
The OINP often falls into four groups. One of such categories is the Skilled Trades stream under the Human Capital category (more on that later).
In order to be eligible for this stream, applicants must be residents of Ontario at the time of their application for permanent residence and hold a valid work permit.
Note: Because this stream is connected to the IRCC’s Express Entry program, candidates in the Skilled Trades stream who accept an OINP nomination will get 600 extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
There are other eligibility criteria for candidates looking to pursue PR through this stream. Applicants must:
- Have a valid Express Entry profile
- Have accumulated at least one year of full-time paid work experience
- Possess a valid license or certificate (if applicable)
- Achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 or higher (English or French)
Graduate Stream for Masters: Masters and PhD
Applicants may also think about the Masters and PhD programs offered by the OINP. The Masters Graduate stream in Ontario is one of the two streams available in this category.
This stream employs the Expression of Interest (EOI) mechanism of the province and is intended for foreign nationals with a Masters degree from Ontario universities that meet the requirements. This implies that in order to be considered for PR, prospective individuals must register an EOI and develop a profile. It is not connected to the IRCC’s Express Entry system, in contrast to the Skilled Trades stream.
In addition to having a Masters degree from an eligible university in Ontario, applicants must meet the following two criteria:
- Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one of the last two years
- Must have achieved a CLB Level 7 or higher (English or French)
PhD Graduate Stream: Masters and PhD Category
The PhD Graduate stream for candidates who have a PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university.
Similar to the Masters Graduate stream, this stream is not Express Entry-aligned. Again, interested candidates must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years to be eligible for PR through this stream.
Interested applicants must create a profile and register an EOI to be eligible for PR.
Note: there is a $1,500 dollar (Canadian) application fee for both streams.
What are my other OINP immigration options?
The OINP has four larger categories.
The following will briefly summarize the streams (as well as their eligibility criteria) that have not yet been mentioned in this article. Visit this dedicated webpage for full details on all of the OINP’s categories and streams, including application fees, how each stream works and what happens when you receive an OINP nomination.
Note: Both of the OINP’s Masters and PhD Category streams were outlined above.
Human Capital Category
| Stream Name | Express Entry Linked? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Priorities | Yes | * Includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) * Applicants must have a valid Express Entry profile * Applicants must have a Bachelor’s, Masters or PhD degree * Applicants must have a minimum of one year full-time paid work experience |
| French-Speaking Skilled Worker | Yes | * Includes the FSWP and CEC * Requires applicants to have strong skills in English and French (including CLB level 7 or higher in French) * Applicants must have a Bachelor’s, Masters or PhD degree * Applicants must have a valid Express Entry profile * Applicants must have a minimum of one year full-time paid work experience |
Employer Job Offer Category
| Stream Name | Express Entry Linked? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Worker | No | * Requires a job offer * For skilled workers with two years of work experience if the occupation does not require a license or other certification * Job offer must include pay that is higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario |
| International Students | No | * Requires a job offer * For recent graduates of Ontario post-secondary institutions |
| In-Demand Skills | No | * Requires a job offer * For “intermediate skilled workers” in certain eligible sectors who have a job offer to work in an in-demand occupation * Applicants must have at least nine months of work experience * Job offer must include pay that is higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario * Requires applicants to have CLB level 4 or higher (English or French) * Applicants must have a high school diploma |
| Skilled Trades | No | * Requires a job offer * Job offer must include pay that is higher than the median wage level for that occupation in Ontario * Applicants must have a two-year degree or diploma from a Canadian institution |
Business Category
| Stream Name | Express Entry Linked? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | No | * For foreign nationals looking to start a business or buy an existing one in Ontario * Applicants must have business experience of 24 months in the last 60 months * Applicants must control at least one-third of the business’ equity * Applicants must be actively involved in managing the business |