Ontario is one of Canada’s most populous provinces. Every year, thousands of immigrants are drawn to Ontario by growing work possibilities and a wealth of natural resources. Here is everything you need to know.
The cosmopolitan population and the multiple languages spoken in Ontario are the most appealing aspects of the province. The nomination program associated with this province is Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
What exactly is the Ontario PNP?
The Ontario PNP, often known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, is a provincial nominee program (OINP). It is a provincial Economic immigration scheme that permits Ontario to hire foreign people. The decision is based on economic and labor market requirements. The final decision is made by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Through this immigration program, immigrants can get permanent residency
What types of Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programs (OINP) are there?
- Employer job offer classification
There are three types of employer job offers. To qualify, you must receive a full-time, permanent work offer from an Ontario business.
- Stream of Foreign Workers: for skilled people
- International Student Stream: For recent Ontario graduates
- Stream of In-Demand Skills: for intermediate skilled individuals in certain industries such as agriculture, construction, haulage, and personal support workers.
- Human capital classification
The human capital category is divided into two subcategories: foreign graduate streams and Express Entry streams in Ontario.
Graduates from other countries
You must hold a graduate degree from an appropriate Ontario university and apply within two years of receiving your degree to be eligible for the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate programmes.
- Master’s Degree Program
- PhD Graduate stream
- Express Entry in Ontario
To be eligible for Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must have received a notification of interest from Ontario and have an up-to-date profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system with your most recent job experience, language exams, and education.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: for French-Speaking skilled employees who have the necessary work experience, education, and language ability in French and English.
Human Capital Priorities Stream: for skilled people with the necessary job experience, education, and French or English language proficiency
Skilled Trades Stream: for employees with work experience in a qualified trade occupation in Ontario.
- Business classification
There is only one stream in the business category. You must be an entrepreneur from outside of Canada wishing to start a new business or buy and expand an existing one in Ontario.
What are the Ontario PNP Eligibility Criteria?
The specific immigration program determines eligibility for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Before you apply, you must first understand the requirements.
- Stream/Category of Ontario Express Entry
| Stream/Category | Job offer required? | Fundamental requirements |
| Priorities for Human Capital | No | Be an FSW or CEC candidate in the Express Entry pool, and fulfill a minimum CRS score criteria set by the director [of the OINP]. |
| Worker with French Proficiency | No | Be an FSW or CEC candidate with adequate-intermediate (CLB 7) or better French and developing-intermediate (CLB 6) or better English skills in the Express Entry pool. |
| Skilled Workers | No | Be a CEC candidate in the Express Entry pool and currently residing in Ontario, with work experience in a designated skilled trade occupation. |
- Graduate Streams
| Stream/Category | Job offer required? | Basic criteria |
| Masters Graduates | No | Graduated from an Ontario Master’s program within the last two years |
| PhD Graduates | No | Graduated from an Ontario PhD program within the last two years |
- Employer Job Offer
| Stream/Category | Job offer required? | Basic criteria |
| International Student | Yes | Graduated from a two-year degree program at a Canadian college or university, or a diploma program at a college or university that is at least a one-year post-graduate certificate program |
| Foreign Worker | Yes | Have a permanent employment offer in a skilled occupation that pays at or above the Ontario prevailing salary standards for that occupation and region. |
| In-Demand Skills | Yes | Worked in a high-demand construction or agriculture occupation in Ontario recently |
- Business Streams
| Stream/Category | Job offer required? | Basic criteria |
| Entrepreneur | Business owner/managerial experience, high net worth (min. $800,000), personal investment funds (min. $500,000), create two or more jobs | |
| Corporate | n/a | Terminated in 2019 |
Documentation Required for the Ontario PNP Visa
The materials required to apply for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program vary. It may differ based on the immigration program for which you apply.
However, certain fundamental documents are required. They are as follows:
- Identity verification
- Passport must be valid.
- Evidence of funds
- Plan of Settlement
- Funds of investment (if needed)
- Job opportunity (if needed)
- The results of language ability
- Reports on medical examinations
- ECA Police Clearance Certificate (Educational Credential Assessment)
- Evidence of previous work experience (if needed)
- Certificate of Information for Dependent Children (in case your dependent child is immigrating too)
- Certificate of Marriage (in case your spouse is accompanying you)
How to Apply for the PNP in Ontario?
You can apply for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program in one of three ways.
There are two options. They are as follows:
- 1st Pathway
- Research the eligibility requirements for the various immigration programs.
- Determine the best immigration route for you.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the OINP.
- You can apply to the program directly.
(Or)
If you submit an EOI, you will:
- Your application is added to a pool.
- The Ontario PNP will review your profile.
- The highest-ranking scores are emailed to the ITA.
- You have 90 days to complete the online application.
- Submit the necessary paperwork.
- Candidates must appear in person for an interview with the OINP.
- The immigrants must then sign the Performance Agreement.
- Finally, the province of Ontario will then issue a Letter of Confirmation.
- Once this letter is submitted to the IRCC, you will be issued a temporary work permit.
- If you match the eligibility requirements, you can apply for a provincial nomination.
- Wait for the provincial nomination.
- If your application is approved, you will receive an OINP Certificate of Nomination.
- Apply for permanent residency
2nd Pathway
- Review the Express Entry eligibility requirements.
- Create an Express Entry profile in your MyCIC account.
- Make a note of the job seeker validation code as well as the Express Entry profile number.
- To be eligible for OINP express entry immigration programs, you must meet the following requirements:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program with Canadian Experience Class (CEC) (FSWP)
- Your application is accepted into the Express Entry pool.
- The province looks for qualified people.
- If you are qualified, you will receive the NOI (Notification of Interest)
- Within 45 days, submit your application to the OINP.
- Following submission, you will receive an email confirmation.
- If you are chosen, you will receive:
- A certificate of nomination
- Letter of support for work permit
- Letter of permission for nomination
- The Ontario PNP will enter the provincial nomination information into the Express Entry system.
- Within 30 days, you must accept the provincial nomination.
- Acceptance will result in a 600-point improvement in your CRS score.
- After that, you will receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) in the Express Entry draw.
- You have 60 days to file your permanent residency application.
How long does the Ontario PNP take to process?
The Ontario PNP application processing time varies. It varies according to the immigration channels.
This table contains the detailed processing time:
| Immigration Program | Processing Time (Approximately) |
| Stream of Skilled Trades | 30- 60 days |
| Stream of French-Speaking Skilled Worker | 30- 60 days |
| Stream of Human Capital Priorities | 60 – 90 days |
| PhD Graduate stream | 30- 60 days |
| Masters Graduate stream | 30- 60 days |
| Entrepreneur stream | Assessment of EOI: Within 30 daysApplication: Varies |
| International Student Stream | 90 – 120 days |
| Stream of Foreign Workers | 90 – 120 days |
| In-Demand Skills Stream | 60 – 90 days |
Is a job offer required for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?
No, the Ontario PNP does not necessitate a job offer.
In that scenario, you must apply to the following immigration programs:
- Masters Graduate Stream
- Ph.D. Graduate Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream French-Speaking
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
You can contact our expert Immigration consultants for
