Ontario, Canada’s number one destination for immigrants all over the world with its capital, Ottawa and its largest city, Toronto. Ontario is revered for its multiculturalism and its service sector which employs 79% of the province, making the province an ideal home for prospective immigrants.
Applications under the OINP can be submitted under the following categories:
Human Capital Category
The Human Capital Category in offers candidates five different streams under which they can apply, which is divided into two categories: Express Entry Stream and the International Graduates Stream.
Express Entry Stream
The Express Entry stream contains:
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
In order to apply under one of the above three programs, the applicant must have an active Express Entry profile and have been issued a Notification of Interest (NOI).
Human Capital Priorities Stream
This stream targets candidates who qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class under the federal Express Entry program and have experience in one of the six occupations:
- Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
- Computer engineers (NOC 2147)
- Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
- Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
This stream targets French-speaking skilled workers with strong English language proficiency looking to settle permanently in Ontario. They must qualify for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class under the federal Express Entry program in order to receive a nomination. They must obtain CLB 7 or higher in French and CLB 6 or higher in English in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
Skilled Trades Stream
This stream targets applicants currently residing in Ontario with work experience in an eligible skilled trade. To qualify, they must meet the requirements of the Canadian Experience Class and have an active profile under the federal Express Entry system.
Furthermore, applicants must have at least 12 months of full-time paid work experience in Ontario within the last two years of applying that is in a skilled trade listed under Minor Group 633 or Major Groups 72, 73, or 82 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
International Graduates Stream
This stream is intended for international graduates who have completed and obtained their Master’s degree of PhD from an eligible Ontario university. This stream is broken into two more streams: Master’s Graduate Stream and PhD Graduate Stream. A job offer is not required under either of the two streams.
Master’s Graduate Stream
To qualify under this stream, applicants must have graduated from a Master’s degree program that was at least one-year full time and have resided in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years of applying. They must obtain CLB 7 in either English or French and submit their application within two years of completing their program.
PhD Graduate Stream
Candidates who hold a PhD degree from an eligible institution in Ontario may be eligible to apply. At least two years of their studies must have been completed while legally living and studying in Ontario and must been residing in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years of applying. Candidates must submit their application within two years of completing their program. No English language proficiency test is required under this stream.
Employer Job Offer Category
The Employer Job Offer Category allows employers to seek and nominate qualified foreign workers and international students with an eligible full-time and permanent job offer. This category is broken down into three streams: Foreign Worker Stream, International Student Stream, and In-Demand Skills Stream.
Foreign Worker Stream
Foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation at NOC 0, A, or B may be eligible to apply under this stream. Applicant must also have at least two years of paid full-time work experience in the past five years or have a license for the job that is being offered.
International Student Stream
International students with a job offer in Ontario that is for NOC 0, A, or B may be eligible to apply. This stream is open to international students either in or outside Canada. Job offer must be full-time and permanent. Student must have graduated from an eligible Canadian institution and obtained either a degree or diploma that takes at least two years to complete on a full-time basis OR a degree or diploma that takes at least one year to complete on a full-time basis. Students must apply within two years of the date on their degree, diploma, or certificate.
In-Demand Stream
This stream is for intermediate skilled workers in specific sectors that are in-demand in Ontario, such as agriculture, construction, trucking, or personal support work. To qualify, the applicant must also have a job offer in Ontario that is full-time and permanent.
Eligible occupations include:
- NOC3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
- NOC7441 – residential and commercial installers and servicers
- NOC7511 – transport truck drivers
- NOC7521 – heavy equipment operators (except crane)
- NOC7611 – construction trades helpers and labourers
- NOC8431 – general farm workers
- NOC8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers
- NOC8611 – harvesting labourers
- NOC9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
Applicant must have worked at least 9 months of full-time (or part-time equivalent) paid work experience in Ontario in the same in-demand occupation as their job offer. This must have been gained within the three years of applying under this stream. Applicant must also achieve CLB 4 or higher in English or French.
Business Category
Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is for entrepreneurs from outside of Canada who are looking to start a new business in Ontario or buy and grow an existing business. It provides the opportunity for these individuals to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in Ontario.
Under this stream, the applicant is issued a temporary work permit support letter in order to apply for a temporary work permit. This allows them to come to Canada to establish their business. They have 20 months to implement their business plan and submit a final report.
These are the steps that must be followed if applying under this stream:
- Make Sure You Satisfy all Criteria and Requirements
- Complete and Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Invitation to Apply
- Submit Your Application
- Application Assessment
- Sign Performance Agreement
- Temporary Work Permit
- Arrival and Business Establishment
- Nomination and Application for Permanent Residence
- Monitoring