Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is the best program to immigrate to Ontario. The province of Ontario, situated in central Canada, is the most frequented location by newcomers to the country. The province accommodates the economic center of Canada, Toronto, in addition to the metropolis capital of the country, Ottawa.

In 2007, The Ontario PNP, formally known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), was established to facilitate immigration to Ontario.

The primary aims of the OINP are to address skill deficiencies in specific sectors, facilitate investment in Ontario, and ensure successful settlement and integration of newcomers into the province.

Initially, the Ontario PNP was restricted to nominating a maximum of one thousand newcomers. Ontario currently nominates around 8,000 newcomers annually.

There are enhanced streams and base streams among the Ontario immigration system. Streams that are in accordance with the Express Entry system are considered enhanced. 

Canada manages permanent residence applications through its three primary economic class immigration programs using this federal immigration system.

A candidate is assigned a point total by means of this mechanism, which is determined by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The candidates who have achieved the highest rankings are subsequently extended invitations to submit applications for permanent residence.

Those who are nominated by an enhanced provincial program receive an additional 600 points, which guarantees them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. In addition, their nomination is transmitted via their Express Entry profile.

Streams classified as base streams are those that lack alignment with the Express Entry systems. It is mandatory for individuals who receive a provincial nomination to submit their applications directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a compilation of immigration pathways that allow foreign nationals to become permanent residents of Canada. 

The PNP has been meticulously designed to attract immigrants who possess skills that are advantageous to the province: entrepreneurs, investors, skilled workforce, and workers required for sectors experiencing labor shortages. Multiple streams of immigration are managed by the province, which is divided into three categories:

• Ontario Human Capital
• Ontario Employer Job Offer
• Ontario Entrepreneur

Ontario Human Capital

A variety of immigration streams aimed at Ontario labor force candidates are included in the Immigration stream Ontario human capital.

The Human Capital streams prioritize credentials, capabilities, or practical knowledge that indicate an immigrant can readily integrate into the workforce of Ontario. 

Individuals with prior work or academic experience in Ontario, dual-language proficiency in English and French, or compelling Express Entry profiles may be eligible for consideration under one of these streams.

• Human Capital Priorities – Express Entry
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker – Express Entry
• Skilled Trades – Express Entry
• Masters Graduate
• PhD Graduate

Ontario Employer Job Offer

Ontario Employer Job Offer stream Offer Streams which provide applicants with a valid employment offer from an Ontario employer with immigration options. 

Certain requirements must be met by both the employer and the employee for it to be acceptable. Furthermore, eligibility requirements vary depending on the application stream chosen by the applicant.

• Foreign Worker
• International Student with a Job Offer
• In-Demand Skills

Ontario Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur Stream in Ontario is specifically tailored to appeal to affluent entrepreneurs who possess a substantial interest in allocating resources towards business expansion within the province. 

This program enables entrepreneurs who have established a history of achievement to initiate fresh business ventures in the province of Ontario. 

The successful completion of these undertakings will result in the nomination of the applicants for permanent residence in Canada.

Ontario relaxes the eligibility criteria for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

The Ontario Employer Job Offer: International Student stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has been significantly modified to include students who have successfully completed a one-year college graduate certificate as eligibility requirements.

In the past, applicants for the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream of the OINP could only submit an application with a one-year credential from an eligible institution if the program’s admission requirement was the completion of a degree.

A greater number of certificate programs are now eligible for the OINP, as applicants of any one-year college program that awards an Ontario College Graduate Certificate are now eligible to apply.

The changes were implemented as of January 1, 2024. 

OINP Employer Job Offer for Stream International Students.

The OINP Employer Job Offer: International Student stream offers a pathway to permanent residence for international students who have received an offer of employment in an eligible specialized occupation in Ontario.

International students residing in or outside Canada who have received an employment offer in a “skilled occupation” as defined by Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) and classified as Type/Level 0, A, or B are eligible to apply for this stream.

International students must verify that they, their employer, and the job offer all satisfy the program’s requirements, in addition to possessing a job offer. 

An Employer Form must be completed by the Ontario employer and submitted with the international student’s application.

Nominees who have their applications approved and for which an Ontario provincial nomination is issued under this stream are eligible to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit and permanent residence status in Canada.

In order to qualify for the program, applicants are required to provide evidence that they possess one of the credentials listed below:

• A full-time undergraduate degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian institution that requires a minimum of two years of study.
• A graduate degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian institution that, when pursued full-time, requires a minimum of one year of study.
• A college graduate certificate from an eligible Ontario institution that requires a minimum of one year to complete when pursued full-time.
• A university graduate certificate from an eligible Ontario institution that requires a minimum of one year to complete when pursued full-time.

While living and studying in Canada, the candidate should have completed more than half of their study from a recognized Canadian institution to be eligible. 

Applicants should check that the legitimate credential they received is issued by the institution from which they have graduated is an Ontario College Graduate Certificate in order to ascertain its eligibility as a credential.

In addition to possessing the required academic credentials, candidates are required to:

• Possess a valid, indeterminate length full-time job offer in Ontario for a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B). The job offer must correspond to the Ontario entry-level wage requirements for the position.
• Possess the required license or authorization for the position at the time of application.
• Indicate their intent to live in Ontario. Candidates must demonstrate their connections/ties to the province of Ontario.
• Legal status (a visitor record, work permit, or study permit) in Ontario must be maintained by the applicant during the application period if the applicant is living in Canada.

By the following, a prospective applicant may establish a connection to Ontario:

• Current and/or previous employment in Ontario
• Job offers or jobs applied/interviewed for in Ontario
• Education in Ontario
• Volunteer work in Ontario
• Lease agreements for a residence in Ontario or property ownership
• Professional networks and affiliations
• Family ties
• Social connections or personal relationships
• Previous visits to Ontario

Summary:

1. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) facilitates immigration to Ontario, Canada.
2. Aims to address skill deficiencies, attract investments, and ensure successful settlement of newcomers.
3. Divided into enhanced and base streams, with enhanced streams aligning with the Express Entry system.
4. Ontario currently nominates around 8,000 newcomers annually.
5. Divided into three categories: Ontario Human Capital, Ontario Employer Job Offer, and Ontario Entrepreneur.
6. Significant modifications to the Ontario Employer Job Offer: International Student stream.
7. One-year college graduate certificate holders are now eligible, expanding the range of eligible programs.
8. Students with a job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) in Ontario are eligible.

FAQs – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) Changes

1. What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP)?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) is a provincial immigration program designed to facilitate the entry of skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors into the province of Ontario, Canada. The program aims to address skill shortages in specific sectors, attract investments, and ensure the successful settlement of newcomers in the province.

2. What are the recent changes to the ONIP eligibility requirements?

As of January 1, 2024, the eligibility criteria for the Ontario Employer Job Offer: International Student stream have been modified. Previously, applicants were required to have completed a one-year degree program to be eligible. The recent changes now allow applicants with a one-year college graduate certificate from an eligible institution to apply.

3. Which programs are affected by the recent changes?

The specific program impacted by the changes is the OINP Employer Job Offer: International Student stream. The modifications broaden the eligibility criteria to include a wider range of one-year certificate programs that grant an Ontario College Graduate Certificate.

4. Can international students apply for permanent residence through the OINP Employer Job Offer: International Student stream?

Yes, international students residing in or outside Canada who have received a job offer in an eligible specialized occupation in Ontario can apply for permanent residence through this stream. The job offer must be in a skilled occupation as defined by Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) and classified as Type/Level 0, A, or B.

5. What credentials are required for eligibility under the OINP Employer Job Offer: International Student stream?

Applicants must provide evidence of one of the following credentials:

• A full-time undergraduate degree or diploma requiring a minimum of two years of study.
• A graduate degree or diploma requiring a minimum of one year of full-time study.
• A college graduate certificate or university graduate certificate requiring a minimum of one year of full-time study.

6. How can applicants demonstrate their connections to Ontario?

Applicants must demonstrate their intent to live in Ontario by establishing connections through various means, including current/previous employment, job offers, education, volunteer work, lease agreements, professional networks, family ties, and social connections. The provided evidence should showcase the candidate’s commitment to the province.

7. What is the significance of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) in the Express Entry system?

ONIP includes both enhanced and base streams. Enhanced streams align with the Express Entry system, where candidates receive an additional 600 points upon nomination, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Base streams, not aligned with Express Entry, require applicants to submit their applications directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

8. How often does Ontario nominate newcomers through the ONIP?

While the program was initially limited to nominating a maximum of 1,000 newcomers, Ontario currently nominates around 8,000 newcomers annually, making it a significant pathway for immigration to the province.

9. How does the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) affect the ONIP candidates?

Candidates in the Express Entry-aligned streams of ONIP are assigned a point total through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Those with the highest rankings receive invitations to submit applications for permanent residence. The additional 600 points for provincial nomination significantly enhance their chances within the Express Entry system.

10. Where can I find more information about the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) and its streams?

For the most up-to-date and detailed information about the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) and its various streams, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Ontario government or consult with authorized immigration professionals.