Ontario is Canada’s most popular landing destination for immigrants from around the world located in central Canada hosts the city of Toronto, Canada’s economic hub, as well as the nation’s capital city, Ottawa
As Canada’s most populous province, nearly 40 percent of Canadians call Ontario home. Ontario is also home to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. In many ways, Ontario is the center of Canada’s economic, social, and political life.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is a collection of immigration pathways enabling foreign nationals to become Canadian permanent residents. The PNP is strategically designed to attract immigrants in areas that will benefit the province: skilled workers, workers in sectors with labour shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. The OINP accepts applications under the following immigration categories:
- Human Capital Category
- Employer Job Offer Category
- Business Category
Human Capital Category
The human capital category has two sub-categories, the international graduate streams and Ontario’s Express Entry streams.
International Graduates
International Graduates have two sub-categories. To qualify under the International Graduates category, you must have a graduate degree from an eligible Ontario university and apply within two years of getting your degree.
Masters Graduate Stream
This stream targets individuals who have graduated with a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university. A job offer is not required. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for Master Graduates Stream of International Graduates of Human Capital Category.
PhD Graduate Stream
This stream targets individuals who have graduated from a PhD program at an eligible Ontario university. A job offer is not required. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for PhD Graduate Stream of International Graduates of Human Capital Category.
Ontario’s Express Entry
To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must have a profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
This stream allows Ontario to nominate French-Speaking skilled Express Entry candidates who have strong English language abilities, education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish themselves and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream of Ontario’s Express Entry of Human Capital Category.
Human Capital Priorities Stream
This stream enables the OINP to nominate individuals who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool and who have the required education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to successfully establish themselves and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities. The OINP also uses the Human Capital Priorities Stream to conduct occasional tech draws for Express Entry candidates with work experience in six tech-sector occupations. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for the Human Capital Priorities Stream of Express Entry of Human Capital Category.
Skilled Trades Stream
The Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades stream targets tradespersons with ongoing or recent experience of working in Ontario. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for the Skilled Trades Stream of Express Entry of Human Capital Category.
Employer Job Offer Category
The employer job offer category has three streams. You must have a full-time and permanent job offer from an Ontario employer to qualify.
Foreign Worker Stream
This stream provides foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation in Ontario the capability to settle and work in the province. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for Foreign Worker Stream of OINP Employer Job Offer Category.
International Student Stream
This stream assists international students with job offers in Ontario to work and settle as permanent residents in the province. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for the International Student Stream of OINP Employer Job Offer Category.
In-Demand Skills Stream
This stream targets foreign workers abroad or in Canada with a job offer in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture or construction. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for In-Demand Skills Stream of OINP Employer Job Offer Category.
Business Category
Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is designed to attract individuals who are looking to implement a new business initiative or buy an existing business in Ontario. Successful applicants will obtain a temporary work permit support letter – based on a performance agreement – to establish the business in Ontario. If the investment and job creation agreements outlined in the performance agreement are adhered to, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to be nominated for Canadian permanent resident status. Learn more about the eligibility requirements to apply for Entrepreneur Stream of OINP Business Category.