OINP

Overview

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an economic immigration program designed to help Ontario address its labour market and economic development priorities. It allows the province to nominate individuals for permanent residence who have the skills and experience to contribute to Ontario's economy. The OINP is one of Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which work in conjunction with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

How it works

The OINP operates through several streams, each targeting different categories of applicants, including skilled workers, international students, and entrepreneurs. Prospective immigrants apply to one of these streams, and if nominated by the Province of Ontario, they can then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Many OINP streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry system, which allows for faster processing of permanent resident applications. Other streams operate outside of Express Entry.

Who it's for

The OINP is suitable for individuals who wish to live and work permanently in Ontario and meet the specific criteria of one of the program's streams. This includes foreign workers with in-demand skills, international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian institutions, and entrepreneurs looking to establish or purchase a business in Ontario. Applicants must demonstrate an intention to reside in the province.

The eligibility criteria for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) vary significantly depending on the specific stream. It is crucial to review the requirements for the stream you intend to apply under. Below is a general overview of common eligibility factors, but this is not exhaustive:

• Human Capital Streams (e.g., Express Entry aligned streams - Human Capital Priorities, Skilled Trades, French-Speaking Skilled Worker):

  • Express Entry Profile: Applicants must have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system and meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal economic immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class).
  • Work Experience: Requirements vary by stream, but generally involve skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within a certain timeframe.
  • Language Proficiency: Minimum language proficiency (CLB 7 or higher) in English or French, demonstrated through an approved language test.
  • Education: Typically a Canadian Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) confirming an equivalent foreign degree.
  • Intention to Reside: Demonstrate an intention to reside in Ontario.

• Employer Job Offer Streams (e.g., Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills):

  • Job Offer: A full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in an eligible occupation. The job offer must meet prevailing wage levels.
  • Work Experience: Relevant work experience in the occupation of the job offer.
  • Licensure (if applicable): If the occupation is regulated in Ontario, applicants must hold the necessary licensure or certification.
  • Intention to Reside: Demonstrate an intention to reside in Ontario.

• Masters Graduate Stream & PhD Graduate Stream:

  • Education: Completion of an eligible Master's or PhD degree from an eligible university in Ontario.
  • Residency: Must have resided in Ontario for at least one year within the past two years.
  • Language Proficiency: Minimum language proficiency (CLB 7 for Master's, CLB 7 for PhD) in English or French.
  • Intention to Reside: Demonstrate an intention to reside in Ontario.

• Entrepreneur Stream:

  • Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI and receive an invitation to apply.
  • Net Worth & Investment: Meet minimum personal net worth and investment requirements, which vary based on the location of the proposed business.
  • Business Plan: Submit a viable business plan that will create at least two permanent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • Business Experience: Relevant business ownership or senior management experience.
  • Exploratory Visit: Complete an exploratory visit to Ontario.

It is essential to consult the official OINP website for the most up-to-date and specific eligibility criteria for each stream.

The documents required for an OINP application vary significantly depending on the stream. However, common documents typically include:

• Identity and Civil Status Documents:

  • Passport copies (all pages with stamps/visas)
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • De facto common-law relationship declaration (if applicable)
  • Divorce certificate (if applicable)
  • Children's birth certificates (if applicable)

• Educational Documents:

  • Educational credential assessment (ECA) report for foreign degrees
  • Canadian educational transcripts and diplomas/degrees

• Work Experience Documents:

  • Reference letters from previous employers detailing duties, hours, and employment dates
  • Pay stubs
  • Employment contracts
  • Resumes/CVs

• Language Proficiency:

  • Official language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF)

• Job Offer specific documents (if applicable):

  • Job offer letter from an Ontario employer
  • Employer information (e.g., articles of incorporation, business registration)

• Settlement Funds:

  • Bank statements, investment certificates, or other proof of funds to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.

• Other:

  • Police certificates from countries where you have lived for more than six months since the age of 18.
  • Medical examinations (usually requested after provincial nomination).
  • Digital photo.
  • Payment receipts for application fees.

It is imperative to gather all necessary documents accurately and ensure they are translated into English or French by a certified translator if they are in another language. Incomplete applications may be refused.

The application process for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) generally involves two main stages: applying to the OINP for nomination, and then applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

1. Determine Eligibility and Choose a Stream: Research the various OINP streams and ensure you meet the specific eligibility criteria for the one that best suits your profile. This is the most crucial first step.

2. Prepare Your Application: Gather all required documents as specified by the chosen OINP stream. This will include personal documents, educational credentials, work experience letters, language test results, and any other supporting evidence.

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or Apply Directly:

   • For EOI-based streams (e.g., Human Capital Priorities, Skilled Trades, Entrepreneur): Create an Expression of Interest profile through the OINP e-Filing Portal. You will receive a score based on your profile, and the OINP regularly conducts draws, inviting top-scoring candidates to apply.
   • For non-EOI streams (e.g., Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate): Some streams allow direct application when the stream is open and accepting applications.

4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or Notification of Interest (NOI): If your EOI is successful or if you meet the criteria for a direct application stream, the OINP will send you an ITA or NOI.

5. Submit Your OINP Application: Once you receive an ITA/NOI, you will typically have a limited timeframe (e.g., 45 calendar days) to submit a complete application to the OINP through their e-Filing Portal. Pay the relevant OINP application fee at this stage.

6. OINP Assessment and Nomination: The OINP will review your application. If approved, you will receive a provincial nomination certificate. For Express Entry aligned streams, this will also result in an additional 600 points added to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry pool.

7. Apply for Permanent Residence to IRCC:

   • For Express Entry streams: Accept your provincial nomination in your Express Entry profile, which will trigger an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC. You will then submit your complete PR application package to IRCC along with all supporting documents and federal processing fees.
   • For non-Express Entry streams (base PNP): Submit a paper-based application for permanent residence directly to IRCC, including your provincial nomination certificate and all required federal documents and fees.

8. IRCC Processing and Decision: IRCC will review your permanent residence application, conduct security checks, and request medical examinations and police certificates. If approved, you will receive confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and eventually your permanent resident card.

Most Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) streams allow successful applicants to include their accompanying family members in their application for permanent residence. This typically includes:

• Spouse or common-law partner: Your legally married spouse or a partner you have continuously lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least one year.
• Dependent children: Your biological or adopted children, or those of your spouse/common-law partner, who are under the age of 22 and do not have a spouse or common-law partner of their own. There are exceptions for children who are financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition.

It is crucial to declare all accompanying family members on your OINP application and subsequent federal permanent residence application to IRCC. Failure to do so can have serious implications for their ability to immigrate to Canada with you. All family members must meet IRCC's admissibility requirements, including medical and criminal checks. Specific instructions for including family members will be provided within each OINP stream's application guide.

Upon receiving a provincial nomination from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), candidates who are currently in Canada on a temporary status (e.g., visitor, worker, student) may be eligible to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) while their permanent residence application is being processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This allows them to continue working in Canada.

For most OINP streams, the provincial nomination itself does not grant immediate work rights. Instead, it supports an application for permanent residence. However, some streams, particularly those under the Employer Job Offer category, may facilitate the issuance of a work permit supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption (employer-specific work permit) while the provincial nomination and then permanent residence application are being processed. This is usually for individuals who are not yet in Canada or who need to change their temporary status.

Once permanent residence is granted, individuals have the right to work for any employer in any occupation in Canada, with the exception of certain restricted professions that require specific Canadian licensing or security clearances.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) serves as a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence. When the Province of Ontario nominates an individual through one of its streams, it is essentially endorsing that individual's application for permanent residence to the federal government. This nomination is a critical component of the permanent residence application package submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

For OINP streams aligned with the Express Entry system (e.g., Human Capital Priorities, Skilled Trades, French-Speaking Skilled Worker), a provincial nomination awards an additional 600 points to the applicant's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This significant increase virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw. Permanent residence applications submitted through Express Entry are typically processed faster by IRCC.

For OINP streams that are not aligned with Express Entry (e.g., Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker, Masters Graduate, PhD Graduate), the provincial nomination allows the applicant to submit a paper-based application for permanent residence directly to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Program class. While these applications may have longer processing times compared to Express Entry, the provincial nomination still provides a clear and established route to obtaining permanent resident status in Canada. In both scenarios, successful provincial nominees ultimately receive permanent resident status, granting them the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.

Common reasons for refusal under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) or the subsequent federal permanent residence application include:

• Incomplete Application: Failing to provide all required documents or information as per the stream-specific checklist and guide.
• Ineligibility: Not meeting the minimum eligibility criteria for the chosen stream, such as insufficient work experience, language proficiency, education, or funds.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or omitting material facts on the application. This can lead to a ban from applying to Canada for several years.
• Insufficient Funds: Failure to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family in Ontario.
• Job Offer Issues (for employer streams): The job offer not meeting OINP requirements (e.g., not full-time, not permanent, wage issues, employer not eligible).
• Lack of Intention to Reside: Failure to convince the OINP or IRCC of your genuine intention to reside in Ontario.
• Inconsistent Information: Discrepancies between information provided in the OINP application and the Express Entry profile or other documents.
• Unclear Documentation: Submitting documents that are not clear, legible, or properly translated.
• Medical or Criminal Inadmissibility: Applicants or their accompanying family members failing medical or criminal background checks conducted by IRCC.