How to Apply for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
You may have an opportunity to fast track your Canadian permanent residence by applying for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. Learn more below, and fill out our free immigration assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
2022 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Do You Want To Work and Live in Ontario?
If you are interested in living and working in Ontario, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program may be for you. Ontario is Canada’s fastest growing province with cities such Toronto and Ottawa growing at a fast pace. Job opportunities in Ontario make living in Ontario an attractive option for many foreign workers seeking stable, long term employment.
Although Ontario is the most populated Canadian province, it is facing a skilled labor shortage. Therefore, Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) plays a critical role in helping to meet this demand. However, the system currently receives more applicants than it is allowed to select. In December 2019, Vic Fedeli, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade of Ontario, asked to double the number of immigration candidates that Ontario can select for its Provincial Nominee Program. If granted, this would allow Ontario to nominate 13,300 candidates by 2022. In the meantime, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, which includes five of Ontario’s communities, could help ease the labor shortage.
The OINP is an employer-driven program in that candidates cannot apply unless they have a permanent full-time job offer from an Ontario employer, or have obtained a PhD from a publicly-funded Ontario university. There is generally a two-step process to nomination.
Ontario PNP’s Two-Step Process to Nomination
Ontario has 4 different immigration categories. You apply for the Employer eligibility, business and international student categories through those specific streams. Ontario also uses Canada’s Express Entry system as a way to streamline the application process.
- Employer Eligibility
- Business Category
- International Student Category
- Express Entry
Step 1) Employer Eligibility
This category covers the Foreign workers with job offers and employers seeking employees to fill specific roles.
Requirements for Employer Eligibility
Employers in the GTA must:
Have been in active business for at least 3 years;
Have at least $1,000,000 gross revenue in the previous fiscal year;
Have at least five permanent full-time employees; and
Have a place of business located in ON.
Employers outside the GTA must:
Have been in active business for at least three years;
Have at least $500,000 in gross revenues in the previous fiscal year;
Have at least three permanent full-time employees; and
Have a place of business located in ON.
Position Criteria
Be permanent, full-time positions;
In a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B);
Meet prevailing wage levels;
Not affect the settlement of any labour dispute; and
Be necessary for the company’s operations.
Step 2) Ontario Business Category
Requirements for PNP Streams
Under the Foreign Worker stream, the applicant must have:
A full time job offer from an approved ON employer in a skilled occupation (listed NOC A, B, or 0);
A minimum of 2 years of work experience within the past 5 years in the intended occupation;
Received an Employer Pre-Screen Approved Position Form;
An offered wage that meets the prevailing wage level in ON for the occupation;
Legal status, if the prospective nominee is in Canada.
Under the Investors stream, the applicant must have:
An active involvement in the management of the business and the creation of at least 5 new jobs for Canadian or permanent residents;
The control of at least 33.334% of the equity in the business or make a minimum $1 million investment in the business; and
No option of redeeming the investment after a specified period.
Under the International Student stream:
The With Job Offer stream
Graduated (or soon be graduating) from an approved publicly funded Canadian college or university in the past two years;
A full time job offer in NOC A, B, 0;
Received an Employer Pre-screen Approved Position Form;
An offered wage that meets the prevailing entry level wage in ON; and
Legal status.
The International PhD Graduate stream
For graduates of PhD programs at Ontario publicly-funded universities.
Do not need a job offer.
The international Masters Graduate stream.
For students who have graduated or are in the last semester of an existing Masters program at an eligible university in ON.
Do not need a job offer.
Step 3) International Student Stream
Graduated (or soon be graduating) from an approved publicly funded Canadian college or university in the past two years;
A full time job offer in NOC A, B, 0;
Received an Employer Pre-screen Approved Position Form;
An offered wage that meets the prevailing entry level wage in ON; and
Legal status.
The International PhD Graduate stream
For graduates of PhD programs at Ontario publicly-funded universities.
Do not need a job offer.
The international Masters Graduate stream.
For students who have graduated or are in the last semester of an existing Masters program at an eligible university in ON.
Do not need a job offer.
Step 4) Express Entry
If you have an Express Entry Profile, it can be used for immigration to Ontario. The streams that use Express Entry are:
Human Capital Priorities- candidates will fill a specific need in the labor market
French Speaking Skilled Worker- candidates with strong english speaking abilities that have the skills needed to fill a demand in the market
Skilled Trades- candidates have on-going work in Ontario
Why Hire Us to Help with Your Ontario PNP Application?
While the procedures for applying for an Ontario PNP may seem uncomplicated, some applicants apply without seeking any help from an immigration lawyer, thinking that they can “do it themselves”.
For Ontario PNPs, there is a higher risk of refusal in cases where the application is not properly prepared. The standards are very high.
The documentation and processes involved in successfully obtaining a PNP are complex and usually require legal expertise.
We have helped hundreds of individuals and their families successfully immigrate to Canada through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. Our experienced immigration lawyers will be able to assess your case and recommend a course of action to best serve your needs.
The first step towards your Ontario Provincial Nominee Program application is getting an assessment of your case. Fill out our free immigration assessment form and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
Make it happen!
Book a consultation and start your immigration process now!