Ontario, Canada’s most popular destination for newcomers, offers several pathways to permanent residency (PR) for temporary residents through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This program is part of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows Ontario to nominate candidates to help address local labor market needs and demographic challenges.
Key OINP Streams Requiring Ontario Residency
Three main OINP streams specifically require current or past residence in Ontario:
Skilled Trades Stream (Human Capital Category)
This stream, linked to the Human Capital category, is designed for skilled trades workers. To be eligible, candidates must be living in Ontario with a valid work permit at the time of PR application. Candidates must also:
- Have a valid Express Entry profile
- Accumulate at least one year of full-time paid work experience
- Hold a valid license or certificate, if applicable
- Achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 or higher (in English or French)
Successful candidates will receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points through the Express Entry system, significantly boosting their chances for PR.
Masters Graduate Stream (Masters and PhD Category)
This stream is for foreign nationals who hold a Master’s degree from eligible universities in Ontario. Unlike the Skilled Trades Stream, this is not linked to Express Entry. Applicants must have:
- Lived legally in Ontario for at least one of the last two years
- Achieved CLB Level 7 or higher in English or French
Candidates must also create a profile and register an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for PR.
PhD Graduate Stream (Masters and PhD Category)
Similar to the Masters Graduate Stream, this is for candidates with a PhD from an eligible Ontario university. Applicants must have lived legally in Ontario for at least one of the last two years and register an EOI to be eligible for PR.
Both the Masters and PhD streams require a $1,500 CAD application fee.
Additional OINP Options
The OINP offers several other immigration streams, categorized under:
- Human Capital Category: Includes streams linked to Express Entry, such as the Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams. These streams require candidates to have a valid Express Entry profile, a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree, and at least one year of full-time paid work experience.
- Employer Job Offer Category: For candidates with job offers in Ontario. Streams include the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams, which cater to individuals with specific work experience and job offers from Ontario employers.
These options provide diverse pathways for those looking to settle permanently in Ontario, helping meet both the province’s labor market needs and the aspirations of skilled immigrants.