Ontario Immigration Nominee Program

About Ontario Provincial Nomination Program - Express Entry

The Ontario Immigration Nominee Program is a provincial economic immigration program run by the province of Ontario along with the federal Government of Canada through IRCC, aiming to select foreign workers, international graduates, or others with the right eligibility to help meet Ontario’s economic and labor market needs. A potential candidate for the OINP may qualify for nomination by having a job offer from an employer in Ontario, a valid express entry profile, education in Canada, or by providing enough capability to establish a new or buy an existing business in Ontario. Based on the above mentioned factors, the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program is divided in the following categories:

• Employer Job-Offer Category
• Human Capital Category
• Business Category

 

Employer Job-Offer Category

This category operates under Ontario province’s expression of interest system allowing foregin workers, international students, or skilled workers in demanded occupations, to apply for permanent residency in Ontario provided they have a full-time job-offer from an eligible employer in Ontario. The job offer must be from an employer meeting the following requirements:

• Run an active business in Ontario for at least 3 years at the time the candidate submits the PR application.
• Demonstrate minimum gross annual revenue of 1 million CAD or 0.5 million CAD depending on the candidate’s work location.
• Must have at least five or three full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the work location.
• Must provide the candidate a filled & signed Employer form to show approval for the employment.

 

Given below are 3 streams supported in the Employer Job-Offer Category:

Foreign Worker Stream:

Foreign workers with a valid job offer in any occupation related to NOC skill level 0, B, or A can apply for nomination under OINP program. To apply under this stream, you need to first register an expression of interest and get an invitation to apply.

Given below are mandatory requirements to fulfilled by an applicant for the Foreign Worker Stream:

• The candidate must be able to prove all the qualifications listed in the expression of interest registered with the OINP.
• The candidate should either have a valid license or authorization from a regulatory body in Ontario or at least two years of paid full-time or equivalent part time work experience in the same occupation as that in the job offer.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.
• The received job offer should be for a full-time and permanent position, meet or be higher than the average wage level for that occupation, be for an urgently required position, and be based in Ontario.

 

An Application fee of the Foreign Worker Stream costs about 1500 CAD if the job offer is for a work location outside the Greater Toronto Area or 2000 CAD in case the job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area.

International Student Stream

International students studying in a designated Canadian education institution, and with a valid job offer in any occupation related to NOC skill level 0, B, or A can apply for nomination under OINP program. To apply under this stream, you need to first register an expression of interest and get an invitation to apply. Given below are mandatory requirements to be fulfilled by an applicant for the International Student stream.

• The candidate must be able to prove all the qualifications listed in the expression of interest registered with the OINP.
• Candidates should have completed a full-time degree or diploma of two years from an eligible institution in Canada or a full-time 1 year degree, diploma, or certificate at an eligible Canadian institution where a completed degree is a mandatory admission requirement.
• The candidate should either have a valid license or authorization from a regulatory body in Ontario or at least two years of paid full-time or equivalent part time work experience in the same occupation as that in the job offer.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.
• He or She should have a legal status in Canada such as being on a work permit, study permit, visitor visa, or have submitted a visa extension application to IRCC.
• The application submitted must be within two years from reception of education credential.
• The received job offer should be for a full-time and permanent position, meet or be higher than the low wage level for that occupation, be for an urgently required position, and be based in Ontario.

 

An application fee of the International Student Graduate stream is 1500 CAD.

In-Demand Skills Stream

Foreign workers with a job offer in in-demand occupations such as construction, trucking, agriculture, personal support work, or others can apply for permanent residence in Ontario through this stream. To apply under this stream, you need to first register an expression of interest and get an invitation to apply. Given below are mandatory requirements to be fulfilled by an applicant for the In-Demand Skills stream:

• The candidate must be able to prove all the qualifications listed in the expression of interest registered with the OINP.
• The candidate should either have a valid license or authorization from a regulatory body in Ontario or at least 9 months of paid full-time or equivalent part time work experience (within the last 3 years of experience) in the same occupation as that in the job offer.
• The Candidate should have a Canadian high school diploma or credentials, or an equivalent foreign degree assessed by an IRCC approved organization.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.
• The candidate must demonstrate adequate language proficiency by achieving at least CLB 4 in all four abilities of any accepted tests like IELTS, TEF or TCF Canada, or CELPIP with the test results valid for at least 2 years from the time of submission of application.
• Candidates applying from within Canada should have a legal status in Canada such as being on a work permit, study permit, visitor visa, or have submitted a visa extension application to IRCC.
• Candidates applying from within Canada should have a legal status in Canada such as being on a work permit, study permit, visitor visa, or have submitted a visa extension application to IRCC.
• The received job offer should be for a full-time and permanent position in NOC skill level C or D occupations, meet or be higher than the median wage level for that occupation, be for an urgently required position, and be based in Ontario.

 

An Application fee of the In-Demand Skills Stream costs about 1500 CAD if the job offer is for a work location outside the Greater Toronto Area or 2000 CAD in case the job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area.

Human Capital Category

International workers or students having adequate work experience, education credentials, language skills, a federal express entry profile, or a Canadian Masters or PhD degree can apply for permanent residence in Ontario through this program. The Human Capital Category consists of two streams based on whether the candidate has a federal express entry profile or registered with the OINP portal with an expression of interest.

International Graduates (Master Graduate or PhD) Stream

International students with a Masters or PhD degree from an authorized university in Ontario can apply for permanent residence in Ontario provided they have registered an expression of interest with OINP and received an invitation to apply. Note that the application must be within two years of obtaining the graduate degree. Given below are mandatory required to be fulfilled by the candidate applying for the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate stream:

• The candidate must demonstrate all the qualifications listed in the registered expression of interest with OINP.
• He or She must have completed all the necessary requirements to complete a PhD or Master’s degree. It means the Masters’ degree must be completed with at least 1 year of full-time study and PhD degree must be obtained by having at least two years of study in Ontario.
• The candidate must not have received a grant, scholarship, or bursary which requires him or her to return to their home country after completion of degree.
• The candidate must have legally stayed in Ontario for at least 1 year within the last two years of submitting the application. This may include gaps as well, provided the entire period of stay sums up to 12 months.
• He or She must show adequate financial capability to support one-self and family members (spouse or common law partner and children under 22 years of age). This can be shown either through a job offer from an employer in Ontario, funds through bank balance or investments, or ongoing yearly earnings in Ontario.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.
• The candidate staying in Canada at the time of submission of application must have legal status in form of visitor visa, study permit, work permit, or at least submitted a visa extension application with IRCC.
• Applicants for the Masters Graduate stream should show language proficiency skills by achieving at least CLB 7 or equivalent in any approved tests like IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. The test results must be valid for two years within the application date.
• The application submitted must be within two years from reception of education credential.

Application fees for both the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate stream is about 1500 CAD.

Ontario Express Entry – Sub Streams:

Individuals having a valid profile in IRCC’s express entry system, with the most recent work experience, education, and language skills can apply for the Ontario Express Entry program provided they have received a Notification of Interest from Ontario province. The Ontario Express Entry consists of three streams depending on whether the candidate is a French speaker and/or has work experience in Ontario as a skilled worker or in a trade occupation.

French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream:

French speaking skilled workers with a valid express entry profile with IRCC can apply for this program provided they meet the following requirements:

• The candidate must demonstrate adequate work experience as required by the federal express entry system’s FSW or CEC program.
• He or She should have a bachelors, masters, or PhD degree from an institution in Canada, or an equivalent foreign degree assessed by IRCC approved organizations.
• He or she must prove French language proficiency by scoring minimum CLB 7 at all four levels of approved tests like TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Also, English proficiency should be demonstrated with a CLB 6 through tests like IELTS or CELPIP. Note that the test results should not be more than two years from the time of submission of application.
• He or She must show adequate financial capability to support one-self and family members (spouse or common law partner and children under 22 years of age). This can be shown either through a job offer from an employer in Ontario, funds through bank balance or investments, or ongoing yearly earnings in Ontario.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.
• The candidate staying in Canada at the time of submission of application must have legal status in form of visitor visa, study permit, work permit, or at least submitted a visa extension application with IRCC.
• Candidates applying against the FSW program must have scored at least 67 points in the express entry system.

Human Capital Priorities Stream

Foreign workers with adequate skilled work experience, education, and language abilities can apply to OINP under this stream provided they meet the following requirements:

• The candidate must demonstrate adequate work experience as required by the federal express entry system’s FSW or CEC program.
• He or She should have a bachelors, masters, or PhD degree from an institution in Canada, or an equivalent foreign degree assessed by IRCC approved organizations.
• He or she must prove language proficiency by scoring minimum CLB 7 at all four levels of approved tests like TEF Canada, TCF Canada, IELTs, or CELPIP. Note that the test results should not be more than two years from the time of submission of application.
• He or She must show adequate financial capability to support one-self and family members (spouse or common law partner and children under 22 years of age). This can be shown either through a job offer from an employer in Ontario, funds through bank balance or investments, or ongoing yearly earnings in Ontario.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.
• The candidate staying in Canada at the time of submission of application must have legal status in form of visitor visa, study permit, work permit, or at least submitted a visa extension application with IRCC.
• Candidates applying against the FSW program must have scored at least 67 points in the express entry system.

Skilled Trades Stream

International workers with experience of working for any skilled trade in the province of Ontario, and with a valid federal express entry profile can apply for permanent residency in Ontario, provided they meet the following requirements:

• The candidate must have at least 1 year of cumulative work experience in Ontario, in a skilled trade listed under Major Groups 72, 73 or 82 , or Minor Group 633 of NOC. The work experience must be obtained within two years of submission of application, and be for one or more occupations identified in express entry profile.
• Candidates proving work experience in compulsory trade should have a valid certificate or license from a regulatory body in Ontario at the time of submission of application.
• He or she must prove language proficiency by scoring minimum CLB 5 at all four levels of approved tests like TEF Canada, TCF Canada, IELTs, or CELPIP. Note that the test results should not be more than two years from the time of submission of application.
• He or She must show adequate financial capability to support one-self and family members (spouse or common law partner and children under 22 years of age). This can be shown either through a job offer from an employer in Ontario, funds through bank balance or investments, or ongoing yearly earnings in Ontario.
• The candidate must be staying in Canada with a valid work permit or have submitted a visa renewal or extension application to IRCC.
• He or She should demonstrate intention to live in Ontario after getting the permanent residence. Ties to Ontario can be shown by having relatives, professional network, working in Ontario, having job offers, studying, volunteering, or owning a property in Ontario.

 

An Application fees for any of the above-mentioned three streams under the Ontario Express Entry is about 1500 CAD.

Business Category

Foreign entrepreneurs or foreign national business partners around the globe willing to implement a business idea or purchase and grow an existing business in Ontario can apply for permanent residence in Ontario through this category. The applicant must undergo the following processes before applying to permanently stay and run a business in Ontario:

• Register an expression of interest with OINP.
• Submit an online application once invited for the same.
• Attend an interview along with the business partner.
• Sign a business performance agreement with the province of Ontario.
• Establish a business in Ontario within 20 months of receiving a temporary work permit and submit a business report.
• Provide all documents necessary to be eligible for being nominated for permanent residency.

 

To register an expression of interest with OINP, the candidate must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• The candidate must have at least 2 years of business experience in the last 5 years of application, as a business owner with 1/3rd of ownership stake, or as a senior manager involved in decision making processes.
• He or She must demonstrate personal net worth of at least 0.8 Million CAD for proposed business within the Greater Toronto Area or at least 0.4 Million CAD for proposed business outside the Greater Toronto Area.
• The candidate should actively invest a minimum amount of 600000 CAD or 200000 CAD from his or her personal net worth depending on whether the business is within or outside the Greater Toronto Area.
• He or She must control a minimum 1/3rd of equity in the business.
• Capital investment must be for the purpose of earning profits and not for deriving interest, dividends, nor capital gains.
• The established business must have the capability to create at least 1 or 2 permanent jobs with median wage level, for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Note that job vacancies must be filled continuously for 10 months before submitting a business report.
• The established business must meet minimum business requirements like making profit from active income through sales of products and/or services, comply with federal and Ontario legal requirements, be a permanent business with work location in Ontario, and have qualifying third-party investors.

Gateway Visas as your OINP Partner

Even though there are many PNP consultants around the globe providing immigration services, only few stand out with their exceptional services. Gateway Visas, with an expert team of visa and immigration consultants, provide you with an exceptionally dedicated and committed service to help with each step around each category of the OINP process. Whether it is helping you procure a job offer, creating and submitting a valid express entry profile, or helping you show all mandatory business requirements, the expert team at Gateway Visas is adept in all three categories of OINP. From assessing your profile for eligibility, helping you select the right pathway and stream, providing documentation support, helping with earning maximum points, to providing post-landing services, Gateway Visas is your one-stop destination for all your PNP needs.

• We will help you evaluate your profile and meet all eligibility requirements.
• We will guide you in updating and preparing your resume as per requirements.
• Our experts will help you in gathering and submitting all required documents.
• We will help you clear your English proficiency exams and get a medical and police clearance certificate.
• We will provide a dedicated case officer who will be your point of contact throughout the process.
• We will also help you settle in your dream country of destination with our customized services.

Contact us now for applying to OINP