Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP)
The Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) is an immigration pathway through which Ontario nominates individuals for permanent residence in Canada. The program is tailored to attract skilled workers, international students, and entrepreneurs who can significantly contribute to Ontario’s economy and communities. Below is an overview of the various streams available under the OINP.
Ontario’s Express Entry Streams
Ontario’s Express Entry streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Ontario’s Express Entry streams include:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- This stream targets skilled workers with significant experience in Ontario’s priority sectors, particularly in health care and technology (IT). Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and meet other criteria such as work experience and language proficiency. The OINP selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who meet these criteria and invites them to apply for provincial nomination.
- Skilled Trades Stream
- This stream is designed for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who are qualified in an eligible skilled trade and have relevant work experience in Ontario. The Skilled Trades Stream addresses labor shortages in Ontario’s trades sectors by selecting candidates who have the skills and experience to contribute immediately to the province’s economy.
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- This stream is aimed at French-speaking skilled workers who also have strong English language abilities. Candidates must have the education, skilled work experience, and language proficiency to contribute effectively to Ontario’s labor market and communities.
Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) Streams
The Expression of Interest (EOI) system is used for several OINP streams, allowing candidates to express their interest in applying for a nomination. Candidates are ranked based on a points system, and those with the highest scores are invited to apply. The EOI system applies to the following streams:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- This stream is for foreign workers who have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. The offer must be for a skilled position classified under NOC skill type 0, A, or B. Candidates must also have relevant work experience in the job offered.
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- This stream is designed for international students who have completed their studies at an eligible Canadian institution and have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. However, applicants must apply within two years of graduation.
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- The In-Demand Skills Stream is specifically tailored for foreign workers with job offers in Ontario for occupations in Tier 4 and Tier 5 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations are often in high demand in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and other critical areas of the labor market.
If You Have a Master’s or PhD Degree from an Ontario University
Ontario offers two specialized streams for individuals who have completed advanced degrees at an Ontario university:
- Masters Graduate Stream
- This stream is for individuals who have earned a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university. It provides an opportunity for these graduates to apply for permanent residence without needing a job offer. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, including residency in Ontario and language proficiency.
- PhD Graduate Stream
- The PhD Graduate Stream is designed for candidates who have completed a PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university. Similar to the Masters Graduate Stream, this pathway allows PhD graduates to apply for permanent residence without a job offer, provided they meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Understanding Expression of Interest (EOI) and Notification of Interest (NOI)
Expression of Interest (EOI):
An Expression of Interest is a mechanism that allows potential candidates to express their interest in applying to the OINP. Candidates submit a profile with details about their work experience, education, and language skills. Based on this information, the OINP ranks candidates, and those with the highest scores may receive an invitation to apply for a nomination.
Notification of Interest (NOI):
A Notification of Interest is a message from the Ontario government to a candidate in the federal Express Entry pool indicating that they may be eligible for one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams. Receiving an NOI means that Ontario is interested in nominating the candidate for permanent residence, and the candidate is invited to submit an application to the OINP for further consideration.