The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s economic immigration program. It works in collaboration with the Government of Canada through IRCC. Foreign workers, international students and others with the right skills, experience and
education may apply to the OINP for a nomination. The program recognizes and nominates people for permanent residence who have the skills and experience needed by the economy of Ontario, and the Government of Canada makes the final decision to approve
the application for permanent residence. There are three ways in which you may qualify for a nomination:
1. Employer job offer category: for workers who already have a permanent job offer from an Ontario employer. The category has three streams.
a. Foreign Worker stream: It gives foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work
in Ontario. This stream is open to foreign workers in and outside of Canada. You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
Eligibility:
Job Offer Requirements: To qualify under this stream, you must have a job offer in Ontario from an employer that meets the following requirements.
i. The job offer must be full-time and permanent position.
ii. The offer must be in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
iii. The pay of the job offered must meet or be higher than the median wage level, for that occupation, in the specific region of Ontario where you will be working.
iv. The position offered must be necessary to employer’s business.
v. The work you do while in the position of the job offer must occur primarily in Ontario.
Applicant Requirements:
i. You must have at least two years of paid full-time (or equivalent in part-time) work experience in the same occupation (same NOC code) as your job offer gained within the five years prior to submitting your application. If it was gained in Canada, you must have been legally living and working in Canada. or A license or other authorization for the job that you have been offered
ii. If a license is needed or any other authorization for the job that you have been offered, you must have it when you apply.
iii. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
a. Working or having worker here
b. Getting job offers, applying to or interviewing for jobs
c. Studying
d. Volunteering
e. Leasing or owning property
f. Visiting
g. Having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships
iv. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
Employer Requirements:
i. The employer must have been in active business for at least three years prior to submitting your application; have business premises in Ontario where you will work; have no outstanding orders made against them under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act; demonstrate that enough effort was made to recruit a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident prior to offering the position to you (this only applies if you are currently living outside Canada or working outside of Ontario).
ii. The employer’s business must also meet the following requirements for the most recently completed fiscal year: a minimum $1,000,000 in total gross annual revenue if you will work or report to work at a location in the Greater Toronto
Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) or; a minimum of $ 5000,000 in total gross annual revenue if you will work or report to work at a location outside Greater Toronto Area.
iii. Your employer’s business must also have at the time of application submission: at least five full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work at the location where you will work, or will report to work,
if you will work or report to work at a location in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) or; at least three full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work at the location where
you will work, or will report to work, if you will work or report to work at a location outside the Greater Toronto Area.
iv. The employer must make an application for application of an employment position by fling out and signing an Employer Form. The same must be scanned and uploaded with your application.
b. International Student stream: It gives international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), the opportunity to apply to permanently
live and work in Ontario. This stream is open to international students in and outside of Canada. You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
Eligibility:
Job Offer Requirements: To qualify under this stream, you must have a job offer in Ontario from an employer that meets the following requirements.
i. The job offer must be full-time and permanent position.
ii. The offer must be in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
iii. The pay of the job offered must meet or be higher than the low wage level, for that occupation, in the specific region of Ontario where you will be working. If you are already working in the position, the wage of the job offer must
be equal to or greater than the wage level that the employer currently pays you in that position, in additional to meeting or exceeding the low wage level.
iv. The position offered must be necessary to employer’s business.
v. The work you do while in the position of the job offer must occur primarily in Ontario.
Applicant Requirements:
i. You must have received from an eligible Canadian institution:
A degree or diploma that takes at least two years to complete if you study on a full- time basis, ortime basis, or A degree, diploma or certificate that takes at least one year to complete if you study on a full-time basis that requires a completed degree as an admission requirement
ii. If a license is needed or any other authorization for the job that you have been offered, you must have it when you apply.
iii. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
a. Working or having worker here
b. Getting job offers, applying to or interviewing for jobs
c. Studying
d. Volunteering
e. Leasing or owning property
f. Visiting
g. Having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships
iv. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
v. You must submit your application within two years of the date on your degree, diploma or certificate.
Employer Requirements:
i. The employer must have been in active business for at least three years prior to submitting your application; have business premises in Ontario where you will work; have no outstanding orders made against them under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act; demonstrate that enough effort was made to recruit a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident prior to offering the position to you (this only applies if you are currently living outside Canada or working outside of Ontario).
ii. The employer’s business must also meet the following requirements for the most recently completed fiscal year: a minimum $1,000,000 in total gross annual revenue if you will work or report to work at a location in the Greater Toronto
Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) or; a minimum of $ 5000,000 in total gross annual revenue if you will work or report to work at a location outside Greater Toronto Area.
iii. Your employer’s business must also have at the time of application submission: at least five full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work at the location where you will work, or will report to work,
if you will work or report to work at a location in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) or; at least three full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work at the location where
you will work, or will report to work, if you will work or report to work at a location outside the Greater Toronto Area.
iv. The employer must make an application for application of an employment position by fling out and signing an Employer Form. The same must be scanned and uploaded with your application.
c. In-Demand Skills stream: It gives foreign workers with a job offer in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture, construction, trucking or personal support work, the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in
Ontario. This stream is open to foreign workers in and outside of Canada. You must apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.
Eligibility:
Job Offer Requirements: To qualify under this stream, you must have a job offer in Ontario from an employer that meets the following requirements.
i. The job offer must be full-time and permanent position.
ii. The offer must be one of the following occupations in NOC Skill Level C or D:
a. NOC 3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
b. NOC 4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
c. NOC 7441 – residential and commercial installers and servicers
d. NOC 7511 – transport truck drivers
e. NOC 7521 – heavy equipment operators (except crane)
f. NOC 7611 – construction trades helpers and labourers
g. NOC 8431 – general farm workers
h. NOC 8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers
i. NOC 8611 – harvesting labourers
j. NOC 9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
iii. The pay of the job offered must meet or be higher than the median wage level, for that occupation, in the specific region of Ontario where you will be working.
iv. The position offered must be necessary to employer’s business.
Applicant Requirements:
i. You must have at least 9 months of full-time (or the equivalent in part-time) paid work experience in Ontario, in the same in-demand occupation (same NOC code) as your job offer. You must have gained this work experience within the three years prior to submitting your application while legally living and working in Ontario.
ii. If a license is needed or any other authorization for the job that you have been offered, you must have it when you apply.
iii. You must be able to understand, read, write and speak either English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
iv. You must have a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or credential, or it equivalent in another country.
v. You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada. You can meet this requirement through the annual earnings of your job offer from your employer. If the annual salary of your
job offer is insufficient to meet the settlement funds requirement based on your family size, you can also include one or a combination of the following to make up the difference:
1. Funds as demonstrated by the balance listed in bank statements (belonging o yourself and/or your spouse/common-law partner), and/or
2. Statements of accounts showing other investments, such as fixed term deposits and mutual funds that can be readily converted to cash.
vi. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
1. Working or having worker here
2. Getting job offers, applying to or interviewing for jobs
3. Studying
4. Volunteering
5. Leasing or owning property
6. Visiting
7. Having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships
vii. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
Employer Requirements:
i. The employer must have been in active business for at least three years prior to submitting your application; have business premises in Ontario where you will work; have no outstanding orders made against them under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act; demonstrate that enough effort was made to recruit a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident prior to offering the position to you (this only applies if you are currently living outside Canada or working outside of Ontario).
ii. The employer’s business must also meet the following requirements for the most recently completed fiscal year: a minimum $1,000,000 in total gross annual revenue if you will work or report to work at a location in the Greater Toronto
Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) or; a minimum of $ 5000,000 in total gross annual revenue if you will work or report to work at a location outside Greater Toronto Area.
iii. Your employer’s business must also have at the time of application submission: at least five full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work at the location where you will work, or will report to work,
if you will work or report to work at a location in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) or; at least three full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work at the location where
you will work, or will report to work, if you will work or report to work at a location outside the Greater Toronto Area.
iv. The employer must make an application for application of an employment position by fling out and signing an Employer Form. The same must be scanned and uploaded with your application.
Application Process:
i. Meet all of the necessary requirements under the:
a. Job offer requirements
b. Applicant requirements
c. Employer requirements
ii. Have your credit card ready (we accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Mastercard Debit only)
iii. Have your supporting documents (in English or French) scanned and ready to upload
iv. Read the application instructions (important)
Application Instructions: Once you click “Submit an application”:
i. Choose whether you are a returning user or a new applicant
ii. Choose the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream/ International Student Stream/In-Demand Skills Stream
iii. If you are a new applicant, you must pre-register with your name and date of birth (not required if you are already registered)
iv. Log into your ONe-key account. If you do not have one, click “Sign up now!”
v. Once you’ve logged into your ONe-key account, you will be sent back to the OINP e- Filing Portal
vi. Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
vii. Once you’ve completed your profile, click “Finish” and you will be sent to your main page in the e-Filing Portal
viii. Click on the file number beside the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream/ International Student Stream/In-Demand Skills Stream to begin your application
Please note: It takes about three hours to complete your application. You don’t have to do it all at once, but you must submit your application within 14 calendar days after you first register.
2. Human capital category: for workers who have valuable work experience, education, language skills, and a profile in Canada’s Express Entry system; or for graduate students. This category has two sub-categories
a. International Graduate stream: To qualify under the Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams, you must have a graduate degree from an eligible Ontario university and apply within two years of getting your degree.
i. Masters Graduate Stream It gives international graduates with an Ontario master’s degree the opportunity to apply to permanently live and work in Ontario.
Eligibility:
1. To qualify, you must have completed the requirements necessary to get a master’s degree. at least one academic year of full-time study (that is at least 15 hours of instruction per week over the academic year) the degree is from an eligible university in Ontario (see the list of eligible Ontario universities below)
2. You must be able to understand, read, write and speak in English or French at a Canadian language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher.
3. You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years before you apply.
4. You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada. You can meet this requirement through one or a combination of any of the following:
5. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
6. At the time you apply, you must either be living in Ontario with legal status (study permit, work permit, visitor record) or living outside Canada. You don’t qualify if you’re living in a province or territory in Canada other than Ontario at the time you apply.
7. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
8. You must submit your application within two years of the date on your degree, diploma or certificate.
ii. PhD Graduate Stream You can apply to the PhD Graduate Stream if you meet all the criteria in the six categories below. You don’ need a job offer to apply.
Eligibility:
1. To qualify, you must have completed the requirements necessary to obtain a PHD degree. The degree must be from an eligible university in Ontario. At least two years of your PhD studies must have been completed while legally living and studying in Ontario. You don’t qualify if you have received a bursary, grant or scholarship that requires you return to your home country after you earn your PhD degree. You may only apply after you have fulfilled those commitments and can demonstrate an intention to live in Ontario.
2. You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years before you apply.
3. You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.
4. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
5. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
6. You must submit your application within two years of the date on your degree, diploma or certificate.
Application Process:
i. Meet all of the necessary requirements.
ii. Have your credit card ready (we accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Mastercard Debit only)
iii. Have your supporting documents (in English or French) scanned and ready to upload
iv. Read the application instructions (important)
Application Instructions: Once you click “Submit an application”:
i. Choose whether you are a returning user or a new applicant
ii. Choose the Masters Graduate Stream/PhD Graduate Stream
iii. If you are a new applicant, you must pre-register with your name and date of birth (not required if you are already registered)
iv. Log into your ONe-key account. If you do not have one, click “Sign up now!”
v. Once you’ve logged into your ONe-key account, you will be sent back to the OINP e-Filing Portal
vi. Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
vii. Once you’ve completed your profile, click “Finish” and you will be sent to your main page in the e-Filing Portal
viii. Click on the file number beside the Masters Graduate Stream/PhD Graduate Stream to begin your application
Please note: It takes about three hours to complete your application. You don’t have to do it all at once, but you must submit your application within 14 calendar days after you first register.
b. Ontario’s Express Entry stream: To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must have received a notification of interest from Ontario and have an up-to-date profile with your most current work experience, language tests and education in the federal government’s Express Entry system.
1. French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream: for French-Speaking skilled workers with the required work experience, education and language proficiency in French and English
Eligibility:
1. You must decide which of the following two federal programs you would like to be assessed against: Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Canadian Experience Class
2. You must have a Canadian bachelor’s master’s or PhD degree or its equivalent in another country.
3. You must be able to understand, read, write and speak French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.
4. You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.
5. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
6. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
7. If you choose to be assessed against the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must score at least 67 points on the six selection factors (education, language skills, work experience, age, arrange employment in Canada and adaptability).
2. Human Capital Priorities stream: for skilled workers with the required work experience, education and language proficiency in French or English
Eligibility:
1. You must decide which of the following two federal programs you would like to be assessed against: Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Canadian Experience Class.
2. You must have a Canadian bachelor’s master’s or PhD degree or its equivalent in another country.
3. You must be able to understand, read, write and speak French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.
4. You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.
5. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
6. If you are applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (a visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time you apply and should maintain that status until the time of nomination.
7. If you choose to be assessed against the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must score at least 67 points on the six selection factors (education, language skills, work experience, age, arrange employment in Canada and adaptability).
3. Skilled Trades stream: For workers with work experience in Ontario in an eligible trade occupation
Eligibility:
1. You must have: at least one year of cumulative paid full-time work experience (or the equivalent in paid part-time work) in Ontario in a skilled trade that is listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 72 or 82 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
2. If you are claiming work experience in a compulsory trade, even if you are no longer working in the trade, you must have a valid certificate or license in Ontario at the time you apply.
3. You must be living in Ontario and hold a valid work permit at the time you apply. You are not required to have a job at the time you apply.
4. You must be able to understand, read, write and speak French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher.
5. You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.
6. You must show that you intend to live in Ontario after you’ve been granted permanent residence. This is determined by examining your ties to Ontario, which can include doing things such as:
h) Working or having worker here
i) Getting job offers, applying to or interviewing for jobs
j) Studying
k) Volunteering
l) Leasing or owning property
m) Visiting
n) Having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships
If you choose to be assessed against the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must score at least 67 points on the six selection factors (education, language skills, work experience, age, arrange employment in Canada and adaptability). Application Process:
i. Meet all of the necessary requirements under Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream/Human Capital Priorities Stream/ Skilled Trades Stream ii. Have your credit card ready (we accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Mastercard
Debit only) iii. Have your supporting documents (in English or French) scanned and ready to upload iv. Read the application instructions (important)
Application Instructions: Once you click “Submit an application”:
i. Choose whether you are a returning user or a new applicant
ii. Choose the Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream/Human Capital Priorities Stream/ Skilled Trades Stream
iii. If you are a new applicant, you must pre-register with your name and date of birth (not required if you are already registered)
iv. Log into your ONe-key account. If you do not have one, click “Sign up now!”
v. Once you’ve logged into your ONe-key account, you will be sent back to the OINP e-Filing Portal
vi. Create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal
vii. Once you’ve completed your profile, click “Finish” and you will be sent to your main page in the e-Filing Portal
viii. Click on the file number beside the Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream/Human Capital Priorities Stream/ Skilled Trades Stream to begin your application
Please note: It takes about three hours to complete your application. You don’t have to do it all at once, but you must submit your application within 14 calendar days after you first register.
3. Business Category: for entrepreneurs looking to start a new or buy an existing business in Ontario. This category has one stream and you must be an entrepreneur from outside of Canada who is looking to implement a new business idea
or buy and grow an existing business in Ontario.
a. Entrepreneur stream
Application Process:
Stage 1:
1. Register an expression of interest (EOI) by email
2. If invited, submit an online application
3. You are your business partner (if applicable) attend a mandatory in-person interview
4. >at the OINP office in Toronto If your stage 1 application is successful you must sign a performance agreement.
Stage 2:
1. A temporary work permit support letter is issued so that you can apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit
2. Establish your business- you will have 20 months to implement your business plan and submit a final report.
3. If your business meets all requirements, you will be asked to submit documentation and eligibility of your business will be checked for nomination for permanent residence
To register your EOI, please follow the below steps:
1. Contact the OINP by email (business.immigration@ontario.ca) to express your interest in participating in the Entrepreneur stream and to request a copy of the EOI registration form
2. Once received, complete the EOI registration form
3. Submit the completed form by email to business.immigration@ontario.ca.
Mandatory Requirements To qualify under the Entrepreneur Stream, you must have a viable business that is likely to provide material economic benefit to the economy of Ontario as a whole or to the local Ontario economy where the business
will be located. You and one business partner (if applicable) must both meet the eligibility requirements.
1. You must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months. Your experience must be as a business owner or as a senior manager (business management). As a business owner, you must have had an active role
in the business and owned at least one-third of the business. As a senior manager, you must have had senior decision-making responsibilities in the business.
2. If your proposed business will be located: within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) you must have a minimum net worth of 800,000 CDN; outside of the Greater Toronto Area you must have
a minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN. If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must have a minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN.
3. If your proposed business will be located: within the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $600,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business; outside of the Greater Toronto Area,
you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business. If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location,
you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000 CDN and control at least of one-third of the equity in the business.
4. You must be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business.
5. The primary purpose of investing capital in the business must be to make a profit. It must not be to derive interest, dividends or capital gains.
6. If the business will be located inside the Greater Toronto Area, you must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. If the business will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area or
in the information and communications technology or digital communications sector, regardless of location, you must create at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Jobs must be created within the first 20 months
of establishing or acquiring the business, must be filled continuously for at least 10 months and must be paid at the median wage level for the position.
7. If you plan to purchase an existing business:
General Business Requirements In addition to meeting the minimum requirements listed above, you must also meet the general business requirements listed below.
1. The business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of good and/or services.
2. Your business must comply with all relevant federal, provincial or municipal legal, regulatory and licensing requirements. This includes compliance with Ontario’s labour and employment standards laws.
3. Your business must be permanent. Project-based and seasonal businesses are not eligible.
4. You must maintain a place of business in Ontario at all times. Ineligible types of Businesses Before you start the process of applying you need to ensure that your proposed business is not one of the ineligible types listed below.
If you would like to settle down in Ontario and like to apply for OINP under one of the streams listed above, please get in touch with our team of professionals.