The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an important component of Canada's immigration path to permanent residency, opening many opportunities for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and families.
This program also plays a key role in bolstering the province’s economic development through the attraction of international talent and investment.
Whether you are a skilled professional interested in the job market of Ontario, an entrepreneur ready to embark on a new venture, or a family looking for a fresh start in this great province, understanding the OINP is your first step towards turning your Canadian dream into reality.
In this article, JuriGo delves into the intricacies of the OINP, explaining its streams, eligibility criteria, benefits, and application process!
What does the OINP entail?
The OINP was launched to empower the province of Ontario to nominate individuals for immigration to Canada, aiming to fill labour market shortages and support economic development.
Over the years, the program has evolved, introducing new streams and criteria to adapt to the changing economic landscape and demographic needs of the province.
Economic development is one of the main objectives of the OINP. By selecting candidates who match the province’s specific labour market needs, Ontario can address skill shortages in key sectors, thereby promoting economic growth and enhancing the province's competitiveness on the global stage.
The program not only helps in attracting skilled workers but also in retaining them, as it offers a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
Streams under the OINP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers various streams to help skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international students immigrate to Ontario. These streams are managed through the Expression of Interest (EOI) system and the Express Entry system.
Expression of Interest (EOI) System
The EOI system is a relatively new approach adopted by the OINP to manage the intake of applications for certain immigration streams. It is a points-based system where candidates register their interest in the program by creating a profile and entering it into a pool.
The OINP then scores these profiles based on factors such as skills, work experience, and education. Periodically, the OINP invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.
To qualify for the EOI system, candidates must meet the specific requirements of the OINP streams that operate under this system. These streams include:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
- Masters Graduate Stream
- PhD Graduate Stream
Express Entry System
The Express Entry system is a federal immigration system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence through three main economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Ontario's Express Entry streams are enhanced streams aligned with the federal Express Entry system. Candidates in the Express Entry pool who receive a provincial nomination from Ontario are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Eligibility Criteria
While the criteria can vary significantly across the different systems, there are common threads in what the program seeks in potential nominees:
- Legal status in current country: Applicants must have legal status in their current country of residence. If living in Canada, that means maintaining a legal temporary status.
- Intention to reside in Ontario: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in Ontario.
- Work experience: Most streams require candidates to have relevant work experience in their field of employment or business.
- Language proficiency: Adequate language proficiency in English or French is a must, typically demonstrated through standardized language tests like the IELTS or TEF.
Here’s a summary of the requirements for each specific stream under both EOI and Express Entry systems:
| Expression of Interest System | |
|---|---|
| Foreign worker stream | Candidates must have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer for a full-time, permanent position with a minimum of 1,560 hours per year and 30 hours of paid work per week. |
| International student stream | Applicants must have a full-time, permanent job offer in an eligible occupation in Ontario, have legal status in Canada (study permit, work permit, or visitor record), and have graduated from an Ontario post-secondary institution. |
| In-demand skills stream | Candidates must have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer for a full-time, permanent position in a designated occupation, have legal status in Canada (study permit, work permit, or visitor record), and meet the minimum wage requirements. |
| Masters graduate stream | Applicants must have completed a master's degree from an Ontario university within the past two years, have legal status in Canada (study permit, work permit, or visitor record), and meet the minimum wage requirements. |
| PhD graduate stream | Applicants must have completed a PhD from an Ontario university within the past two years, have legal status in Canada (study permit, work permit, or visitor record), and meet the minimum wage requirements |
| Express Entry System | To qualify, candidates must have profiles in the federal Express Entry system |
| Human capital priorities stream | Candidates must have a valid Express Entry profile, meet the criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and have a score of at least 400 under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). |
| French-speaking skilled worker stream | Candidates must meet the criteria of the Human Capital Priorities Stream and have strong English language abilities, in addition to being a French speaker |
| Skilled trades stream | Candidates must have a valid profile in the Express Entry system, have a Notification of Interest from Ontario before applying online for a Canadian permanent residency nomination, and have a job offer from an Ontario employer in their field or certification in their field from a relevant provincial body. |
By segmenting the program into multiple streams, the OINP ensures a balanced approach to economic development, catering to both the high-tech sectors in urban areas like Toronto and Ottawa, as well as the agricultural and manufacturing needs of more rural regions.
Obtain support to navigate these programs
The EOI and Express Entry systems are designed to streamline the application process and ensure that the most qualified candidates are selected. However, navigating the complexities of the OINP and Canadian immigration laws can be challenging, and seeking legal advice is always recommended.
JuriGo understands the importance of having a knowledgeable and experienced legal team to guide you through the immigration process. Our cost-free, no-commitment lawyer matching service is designed to connect you with experienced immigration lawyers in your area who can provide the support you need.
To get started, simply fill out the form below, and JuriGo will begin the process of connecting you with a lawyer who can help you navigate the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and achieve your immigration goals!