Ontario Provincial Nominee Program - OINP
Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program is called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a provincial nomination from Ontario, after which they can apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada.
The province operates several immigration streams divided into three categories:
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is currently accepting applications under the following streams:
*To apply under Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must have a profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system and receive a notification of interest from Ontario.
Human Capital Category
The OINP Human Capital Category consists of five streams divided into two categories: International Graduates streams and the Ontario’s Express Entry streams
International Graduates Streams
Ontario’s two International Graduate streams target international students who have recently obtained a master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible Ontario university.
Masters Graduate Stream
This stream targets individuals who have graduated with a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university. A job offer is not required.
PhD Graduate Stream
This stream targets individuals who have graduated from a PhD program at an eligible Ontario university. A job offer is not required.
Ontario's Express Entry Streams
The OINP Express Entry streams are aligned with the federal government’s Express Entry selection system. Candidates can only apply for these streams if they have an active Express Entry profile and if they have received an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.
Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream
This stream enables the OINP to nominate individuals who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool and who have the required education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to successfully establish themselves and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.
The OINP also uses the Human Capital Priorities Stream to conduct occasional tech draws for Express Entry candidates with work experience in six tech-sector occupations.
Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
This stream allows Ontario to nominate French-Speaking skilled Express Entry candidates who have strong English language abilities, education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish themselves and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.
Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
The Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades stream targets tradespersons with ongoing or recent experience of working in Ontario.
Employer Job Offer Category
Through the Foreign Worker and International Student streams, Ontario employers are able to nominate foreign workers and/or international students with an eligible job offer in Ontario. Potential applicants may be living abroad or in Canada at the time of applying.
Foreign Worker Stream
This stream provides foreign workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation in Ontario the capability to settle and work in the province.
International Student Stream
This stream assists international students with job offers in Ontario to work and settle as permanent residents in the province.
In-Demand Skills Stream
This stream targets foreign workers abroad or in Canada with a job offer in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture or construction.
Business Category
OINP Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is designed to attract individuals who are looking to implement a new business initiative or buy an existing business in Ontario. Successful applicants will obtain a temporary work permit support letter – based on a performance agreement – to establish the business in Ontario.
The Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Stage 1
Stage 2
Mandatory Requirements
1. Business experience
You must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.
2. Net worth
If your proposed business will be located:
3. Personal investment funds and minimum equity
If your proposed business will be located:
4. Active involvement
You must be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business.
5. Capital investment purpose
The primary purpose of investing capital in the business must be to make a profit. It must not be to derive interest, dividends or capital gains.
6. Job creation
If the business will be located inside the Greater Toronto Area, you must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
7. Additional requirements if purchasing an existing business
If you plan to purchase an existing business: