Canada’s Guide To Ontario Immigration Program In 2024
Canada’s Guide To Ontario Immigration Program
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
In line with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) objective to attract more immigrants to Canada, Ontario introduced the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to facilitate this goal. The OINP enables foreign workers and students possessing skills that address the province’s workforce gaps to seek nominations. Successful candidates meeting the criteria for Ontario immigration receive a nomination, leading to the approval of their permanent residency applications by the Canadian government.
Expression of Interest Streams
Foreign Worker Stream
Ontario’s Employer Job Offer: The Foreign Worker Stream provides a promising avenue for foreign workers to secure employment in Canada. Individuals with a job offer in a skilled occupation can explore this stream, offering the prospect of permanent residence in Ontario.
Job Offer Requirements:
- Full-Time and Permanent Position: Commitment to a minimum of 1,560 hours annually, equivalent to at least 30 hours of paid work per week. Seasonal or contract positions are not eligible.
- Eligible Occupation: The job must fall within TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Meeting or Exceeding Median Wage: The offered job's salary must meet or surpass the region's median wage level.
- Urgently Necessary to Employer's Business: The position must be urgently needed for the employer's business activities and growth or maintenance.
Applicant Requirements:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) and Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Work Experience or Authorization
- Intention to Live in Ontario
- Legal Status in Canada (if applying from within Canada)
- Plan to Work in Ontario
In-Demand Skills Stream
Requirements for In-Demand Skills stream Positions:
- Full-Time and Permanent Position: The job must be full-time and permanent, comprising a minimum of 1,560 hours annually, equivalent to at least 30 hours per week. Seasonal or contract-based offers are not eligible.
- Eligible Occupation: The offered position must fall within specific in-demand occupations, categorized under NOC TEER category 4 or 5.
- Median Wage Level: The wage offer must meet or exceed the median wage level for the specific Ontario region.
- Urgently Necessary to Employer's Business: There must be a dire need for this position to be filled.
- Work Based in Ontario: The majority of work under the job offer must occur in Ontario.
International Student Stream
The Ontario Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream presents an opportunity for international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation to pursue permanent residence and employment in Ontario.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply: Invited candidates must submit their application within the designated deadline.
- Education: Over half of your studies must have been completed at an eligible Canadian institution while residing and studying in Canada.
- Valid License or Authorization (if applicable): For occupations requiring a mandatory license or authorization in Ontario, candidates must possess a valid license or authorization from the appropriate regulatory body.
- Intention to Live in Ontario: A genuine intention to reside in Ontario after obtaining Canadian permanent residency is required.
Masters Graduate Stream
The Master’s Graduate Stream allows international graduates with an Ontario master’s degree to pursue permanent residence and employment in Ontario. To initiate this process, candidates must enroll in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System and await an invitation to apply. Once invited, they can submit their online application for Canadian permanent residency consideration by the Ontario government.
Requirements for the Masters Graduate Stream:
- Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply: Invited candidates must apply within the specified deadline.
- Validated Qualifications: Ensuring that the qualifications declared in the Expression of Interest to the OINP are accurate.
- Master's Degree Requirements: Completion of a minimum of one full-time academic year of study at an eligible Ontario university.
- Proficiency in English or French: Demonstration of language proficiency at CLB level 7 or higher through an approved language test taken within two years of the application.
- Residency and Settlement Funds: At least one year of legal residency in Ontario within the past two years, along with adequate funds to support oneself and dependents.
- Intention to Reside in Ontario: A clear intention to live in Ontario post-permanent residency through various ties and affiliations.
Ph.D. Graduate Stream
For international students holding an Ontario Ph.D. degree, the Ph.D. Graduate stream offers an excellent opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Canada, specifically in Ontario. The process involves registering in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System, receiving an invitation to apply, and submitting an online application for nomination by the Ontario government.
Requirements for the Ph.D. Graduate Stream:
- Possession of a Ph.D. from a designated learning institution in Ontario.
- Application submission within two years of fulfilling Ph.D. requirements.
- No commitments in the home country and necessary settlement funds.
- Intention to live in Ontario, with at least one year of legal residency in the province in the past two years.
- Maintenance of legal status in Canada during the permanent residency application processing period, which may involve applying for a Canadian visitor visa.
Express Entry Streams
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) leverages the federal government’s Express Entry System to handle applications for immigration to Canada through three distinct streams:
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
- Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Skilled Trades Stream
Participation in these streams is strictly by invitation. Creating a profile in the Express Entry System is a separate process from applying to the OINP or seeking permanent residency.
Human Capital Priorities Stream
For individuals meeting the requirements of the Express Entry System‘s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canada Experience Class (CEC) Program, the Human Capital Priorities stream offers an opportunity to express interest in Ontario and potentially qualify.
Human Capital Priorities Stream
- Minimum one year of continuous paid full-time work experience (or equivalent in paid part-time work) in TEER 0, 1, or 2 of the NOC.
- Work experience acquired within the last five years from submitting the OINP application in the same primary occupation identified in the Express Entry profile.
- Accumulated at least 1,560 hours of work experience in Canada over one year.
Requirements Under the Canadian Experience Class:
- Minimum one year of continuous, paid, full-time employment experience (or equivalent in paid part-time work) in Canada in TEER 0, 1, or 2 of the NOC.
- Work experience obtained within the last three years from submitting the OINP application in one or more occupations identified in the Express Entry profile.
- Work experience must have been in Canada while maintaining legal status.
- Proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.
Skilled Trades Stream
Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, part of the OINP, allows foreign nationals with relevant Ontario work experience in eligible skilled trades to apply for permanent residency.
Skilled Trades Stream
- Valid Express Entry profile.
- Receipt of a Notification of Interest from Ontario before applying for a Canadian permanent residency nomination.
- Offer of employment in Ontario in the field or certification from a relevant provincial body.
- Minimum one year of continuous paid full-time work experience (or equivalent in paid part-time work) in Ontario in a skilled trade listed in the NOC.
- Reside in Ontario with a valid work permit at the time of application.
- Proficiency in English, French, or both at a CLB level 5 or higher.
- Sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Tailored for individuals proficient in the French language, the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is designed to attract those with valuable skills who meet FSWP or CEC Program requirements.
Language Requirements:
- Minimum score of 7 on one of the French CLB tests (TEF or TCF Canada).
- Minimum score of 6 on one of the English CLB tests (IELTS or CELPIP).
Ontario Pilot Programs
The Ontario Tech Pilot, part of the OINP, addresses the skills gap in the tech sector by attracting qualified foreign nationals. To qualify, applicants need one year of valid work experience in relevant tech occupations and must meet Human Capital Priorities stream requirements.
Additional Streams for Students (Human Capital Category)
Two streams cater to international students who graduated from Ontario institutions and wish to obtain a Canadian visa within the Human Capital Category.
Subclass 600 Visitor Visa
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