Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP)

Janice Thompson

5 min read

Updated On Jan 21, 2022

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

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Ontario is considered one of the wealthiest provinces in Canada. It is well-known for its natural resources as well as mature and diverse industrial assets. Ontario’s economy is the most productive in Canada due to its strategic central location and proximity to U.S. markets and coal supplies, cheap power, large and skilled labour force, abundant natural resources and diversified transportation system, which benefits both domestic and foreign investment. Manufacturing and service industries, like in other developed economies, account for the majority of employment and production.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a Canadian immigration program designed for immigrants who want to reside in a certain province. This program permits each province to nominate candidates for PR.

How is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) different from the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP)?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Ontario Immigration Program (OINP) are not separate programs; rather, the OINP is overseen by the PNP. The government of Ontario uses the Ontario Immigration Nomination Program (OINP) to nominate foreign employees, entrepreneurs, and international students to become permanent residents of the province.

What is the list of programs offered by Ontario for immigrants?

Ontario Human Capital Program
- Ontario Express Entry program
  - Ontario Human Capital Priorities Express Entry
  - Ontario French Speaking Skilled Worker Express Entry
  - Ontario Skilled Trades Express Entry
- Ontario International Graduate program
  - Ontario Masters Graduate
  - Ontario PhD Graduate
Ontario Employer Job Offer Program
- Ontario Foreign Worker
- Ontario International Student with a Job offer
- Ontario In-Demand Skills
Ontario Business Program
- Ontario Entrepreneur
- Ontario Corporate
- Ontario Investor

PROGRAM	PURPOSE	REQUIREMENT
Ontario Human Capital Priorities Express Entry via Human Capital Program	This program allows skilled people with the necessary job experience, education, and language abilities to live in the province.	Must fulfill the Express Entry program requirements. Required to have 1 year of full time work experience. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or above to meet the educational criteria. Applicants must demonstrate their French or English language proficiency with NCLC/CLB 7 or higher.
Ontario French Speaking Skilled Worker Express Entry via Human Capital Program	t is for French-Speaking skilled workers who desire to settle in the province through the Express Entry program. However, applicants are required to fulfill the eligibility requirement criteria. I	Required to create an Express Entry profile and fulfill its minimum requirements. At least 1 year of work experience is a must. In order to comply with the education level requirements, applicants are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Must demonstrate their French language proficiency with NCLC 7 or higher.
Ontario Skilled Trades Express Entry via Human Capital Program	This program allows those who have previously worked in Ontario as qualifying trade occupants to settle in the province.	Required to create an Express Entry profile and fulfill its minimum requirements. Minimum 1 year of work experience is a must. If applicable, applicants are required to obtain a valid certificate or license. Must be currently living in the province as a temporary worker and should have acquired a valid work permit at the time of the application. Applicants are required to demonstrate their French or English language proficiency with NCLC/CLB 7 or higher.
Ontario Masters Graduate via Human Capital Program	This program is for those who have obtained their master’s degree within the last two years and want to become permanent residents of Ontario.	Required to have a master’s degree from one the eligible universities/colleges of Ontario. NCLC/CLB 7 or above is required to demonstrate French or English language competency. In the previous two years, you must have lawfully resided in Ontario for at least one year.
Ontario Ph.D. Graduate via Human Capital Program	It is open to students with Ph.D. degrees who want to reside in the province. Students must, however, have finished their PhD degrees within the past two years.	Must have a Ph.D. degree from one the eligible universities/colleges of Ontario. Must have legally resided in Ontario for 1 year in the past 2 years.
Ontario Foreign Worker via Ontario Employment Job Offer Program	This program is for skilled workers who have received a permanent employment offer from a business in Ontario.	A valid job offer is a must. Required to have 2 years of work experience if your occupation does not require a license or authorization. Applicants’ pay scale under the job that they have acquired in the region is required to be equal to or higher than the minimum wage level of Ontario.
Ontario International Student with a Job offer via Ontario Employment Job Offer Program	It is intended for international students who have just graduated from an Ontario university and have received a permanent job offer from an Ontario firm.	Applicants’ pay scale under the job that they have acquired in the province must be equal to or higher than the minimum wage level of Ontario. Should have acquired a 2 years degree or diploma from one of Canadian universities or colleges. Must have a valid offer letter.
Ontario In-Demand Skills via Ontario Employment Job Offer Program	Intermediate skilled individuals in agriculture, construction, transportation, or personal assistance who have received a job offer from an Ontario business and seek to settle in the province as a permanent resident.	A valid offer letter is required. Applicants’ employment offer must be in a high-demand occupation in Ontario. Applicants must demonstrate their French or English language proficiency with NCLC/CLB 4 or higher. Should have a high school diploma. Applicants’ pay scale must be equal to or higher than the minimum wage level of Ontario.
Ontario Entrepreneur via Ontario Business program	Through the Ontario Business program, you may become an Ontario entrepreneur. It is designed for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or buy an existing one in Ontario.	Required to have 24 months of business experience gained in the last 60 months. Total net worth of 8,00,000 Canadian dollars and 4,00,000 Canadian dollars of investments is required. Should have 1/3rd ownership of the business. Should be actively involved in the business. Required to create 2 full-time job opportunities for Canadian citizens and residents. Must fulfill additional requirements if the applicant is purchasing the business. Applicants must demonstrate their French or English language proficiency with NCLC/CLB 4 or higher.
Ontario Corporate via Ontario Business program	This program is for companies that have a demonstrated track record of success and want to start a new business in Ontario. (Note: this program has been suspended, and no new applications are being accepted.)	There must be a clear structural linkage between the Parent Corporation and proposed new business in Ontario Must comply with Canadian legal requirements. Required to submit a business plan. A minimum investment of 5 million is required. Must demonstrate their French or English language proficiency with NCLC/CLB 5 or higher.
Ontario Investor via Ontario Business program	It is for Investors who would like to invest in new business projects in Ontario. (Note: This program is suspended and not accepting any new applications.)	A minimum of 36 months of full-time business experience is required. Should be either owner or senior manager of the business. Total net worth of 1,500,000 Canadian dollars is required. Must own 33.3% of the ownership of the business. Should be able to create 2 full-time job opportunities for Canadian citizens and residents.

What is the process of applying for the Ontario Immigration Program?

In order to apply for this program, you are required to submit an EOI while filling out the application forms. You will be required to fill in the additional details to show your interest in settling in the province. After that, you’ll be placed in a pool and ranked against other applicants. Ontario organizes draws on a monthly basis, inviting the top-ranked applicants to submit PR applications.

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