Ontario, Canada’s richest province, possesses a significant portion of the nation’s natural resources, in addition to a varied industrial economy. At present, the province is mainly urban, with over four-fifths of its inhabitants residing in cities, towns, and suburbs. In terms of area, Ontario ranks as the second-largest province in Canada, following Quebec. Ontario is flanked by the United States to the south, Quebec to the east, and Manitoba to the west. Hudson Bay and James Bay are located in the northern part of Ontario.

Ontario hosts two capital cities. Toronto serves as the capital of Ontario, while Ottawa is the capital city of Canada.

Reasons for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program?

• Over 100,000 job openings
• CRS score required is 400
• Simple route to establish yourself in Canada
• 9,750 newcomers welcomed in 2022
• Strong need for professionals in Technology and Healthcare

OINP Immigration Targets Plan 2026-27

As a component of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Ontario features its distinct initiative – the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – aimed at welcoming immigrants to the province. Ontario’s economic immigration initiative, often known as the Toronto PNP, collaborates with the Canadian government via Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

International students, overseas employees, and individuals with the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience can apply for a nomination through the OINP. The OINP identifies and nominates individuals for permanent residency in Canada whom they believe have the necessary skills and experience demanded by Ontario’s economy. Although provincial or territorial governments have the authority to nominate individuals for Canadian immigration via the PNP route, the ultimate decision regarding the approval of Canada PR rests with the federal government of Canada.

Ontario PNP: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) serves as the province’s economic immigration initiative. It collaborates with the Government of Canada via Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Foreign workers, global students, and others possessing the necessary skills, experience, and education seek a nomination through the OINP.

The OINP identifies and nominates individuals for permanent residency who possess the skills and experience essential for the Ontario economy, while the final decision on permanent residence applications rests with the Government of Canada.

Two intake systems are used by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee program (OINP) to handle applications. You must register in the Express Entry or Expression of Interest systems to notify the OINP that you would like to be invited to apply before you may submit an application for the program. You may be eligible for one of the nine streams offered by the OINP.

Ontario’s Expression of Interest Streams

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) implements an expression of interest (EOI) framework to oversee its applications for these streams:

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
• Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream
• Masters Graduate stream
• PhD Graduate stream

Before applying for these streams, you need to submit an expression of interest to inform the OINP of your desire to receive an invitation to apply.

How to submit an expression of interest?

Note that expressions of interest or applications made through the OINP, in which the Ontario Public Service (OPS) or an OPS entity is identified as the employer, will not be permitted. This is because the OPS is not taking part in the OINP at this time.

Any other government bodies and companies not operated by OPS employees will be regarded as distinct legal entities and could qualify to engage as an employer in the OINP if they satisfy all employer eligibility requirements. The details you include in your expression of interest need to be correct when you register or modify your expression of interest.

You may submit only one expression of interest for any OINP stream at a time.

Fees of EOI

An expression of interest can be registered for free. You will have to pay an application fee if you are accepted into the program. Each stream has a different application fee.

Ontario’s Express Entry Categories

The subsequent streams function through the federal government’s Express Entry System. To be eligible, you need to have an Express Entry profile and obtain a notification of interest from Ontario.

If you possess the skills and experience required by employers in Ontario, you may submit an application to the streams listed below.

• Human Capital Priorities Stream: The Human Capital Priorities stream is designed for individuals possessing the necessary skilled work experience, education, and language proficiency.
• Skilled Trades stream: If you have Ontario work experience in a qualifying skilled trade as a foreign worker.
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream: This category is designed for foreign workers who speak French and possess strong English language skills.

You must have received a notification of interest from the OINP and have an updated profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system that includes your most recent employment history, language proficiency, and educational background before you may apply to these streams.

Only those who are invited may apply to these streams. Applying to the OINP for permanent residency is not the same as registering a profile in the Express Entry System.

What are the eligibility criteria for OINP?

• Qualifications for education (minimum of a bachelor’s degree)
• Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA
• An intention to reside and work in Ontario
• Proficiency in language (ISLTS, TOEFL, PTE test marks)
• CRS score (at least 400)
• At least one year of relevant work experience
• Proof of funds

How does one go about applying for OINP?

Here is the step-by-step process to apply for the Ontario PNP.

Step 1: Use the Armonia Immigration Canada Immigration Points Calculator to determine your eligibility.

Step 2: Examine the OINP selection standards

Step 3: Organize the required checklist

Step 4: Submit an OINP application

Step 5: Relocate to Ontario, Canada