Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an economic immigration program designed to help Ontario meet its labour market and economic development priorities. The program allows Ontario to nominate, for permanent residence,individuals who have the skills and experience to contribute to Ontario’s economy, and assists employers in recruiting and retaining foreign workers.

The OINP is operated by the province of Ontario in partnership with the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).The OINP assesses applications and nominates candidates for permanent residence. Individuals nominated by the OINP can then apply for permanent residence through IRCC, IRCC makes the final decision on each application and issues permanent resident visas to successful applicants.

The OINP is made up of four categories: Business, Employer Job Offer, International Students and Human Capital. Each category is comprised of various streams under which applicants may submit an application.

Business Category:

  •  Entrepreneur Stream.

Employer Job Offer Category: (called General Category as well)

  • Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
  • Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
  • Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

International Students Category:

  • Masters Graduate Stream
  • PhD Graduate Stream

Human Capital Category:

  • Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
  • Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
  • Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream

Current Status of OINP Immigration Streams – 2018

The following table provides details on the current status of each OINP immigration stream.

OINP Stream Status Additional Notes
Human Capital Priorities This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2018. Aligned with federal Express Entry system
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Open — OINP continues to accept and process applications. Aligned with federal Express Entry system.
Skilled Trades Open — Applications being accepted online. Aligned with federal Express Entry system.
Foreign Worker Open to eligible candidates whose job offer has been approved through the Employer Pre-screen application process. Job offer must meet the prevailing wage level in Ontario for that occupation.
In-Demand Skills Stream Open — Applications being accepted. Targets workers in certain agriculture and construction occupations with work experience in Ontario and a job offer.
International Student with a Job Offer Open to eligible candidates whose job offer has been approved through the Employer Pre-screen application process. Previous education requirement is not Ontario-specific; graduates who studied in any province may be eligible.
International Student – Masters Graduate stream This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2018. Job offer not required.
International Student – PhD Graduate stream This stream is expected to open and close intermittently throughout 2018. Job offer not required.
Entrepreneur Open — OINP continues to accept Expressions of Interest. Successful applicants obtain Temporary Work Permits before Permanent Resident status may be obtained.
Corporate Open — OINP continues to accept and process applications. Successful applicants obtain Temporary Work Permits before Permanent Resident status may be obtained.