How To Immigrate To Canada Via Ontario’s PNP?
IRCC offers several pathways to permanent residence for temporary residents living in Ontario – Canada’s most popular newcomer destination. Here’s how one can immigrate to Canada via Ontario’s PNP.
The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program enables the local government to invite immigration applicants who they feel are best suited to help address local labor market needs and demographic gaps.
Moreover, it is one of the 11 Provincial Nominee Programs operated by provinces and territories across Canada.
Which OINP Streams Require Residence In Ontario?
In Ontario, three PNP streams specifically require present or past residence in the province.
1. Skilled Trades Stream: Human Capital Category
Usually, the OINP has four categories. One of those categories is the Human Capital category, which includes the Skilled Trades stream.
The eligibility criteria for this stream require interested applicants to be presently living in Ontario and in possession of a valid work permit when they apply for permanent residence.
Note: This stream is linked with IRCC’s Express Entry system, implying that Skilled Trades stream applicants will be awarded over 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points if they obtain and accept an OINP nomination.
There are other eligibility criteria for applicants looking to pursue PR through this stream. So, applicants should:
- Have a valid Express Entry profile
- Have accumulated a minimum of one year of full-time paid work experience
- Possess a valid license or certificate
- Obtain a Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5 or higher (English/ French)
2. Masters Graduate Stream: Masters and PhD Category
Applicants might also consider the OINPs Masters and PhD category. This category has two streams, one of which is Ontario’s Master Graduate Stream.
In addition, this stream, designed for foreign nationals with a Master’s degree from eligible universities in Ontario, uses the province’s Express of Interest system. This implies that interested applicants should create a profile and register an EOI to be considered for PR. Unlike the Skilled Trades streams, it is not linked to IRCC’s Express Entry system.
In addition to having a Masters degree from an eligible university in Ontario, candidates should meet the following two criteria:
- Must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one of the last two years
- Should have achieved a CLB level 7 or higher (English or French)
3. PhD Graduate Stream: Masters and PhD Category
The third stream to immigrate to Canada via Ontario’s PNP includes PhD graduate stream.
The PhD Graduate Stream is for applicants who have a PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university.
Moreover, similar to the Master’s Graduate Stream, this stream is not Express Entry-aligned. Again, interested applicants should have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years in order to be eligible for PR through this stream.
Thus, interested applicants should create a profile and register an EOI to be eligible for PR.
Note: There is a 1,500 dollar application fee for both streams.
What Are My Other OINP Immigration Alternatives?
The OINP has four larger categories.
The following section briefly summarizes the streams that have not yet been mentioned.
Note: Both OINPs Masters and PhD category streams were highlighted above.
1. Human Capital Category
| Stream Name | Express Entry Linked? | Details |
| Human Capital Priorities | Yes | Includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience ClassApplicants must have a valid Express Entry profile Applicants should have a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree Candidates should have a minimum of one year of full-time paid work experience |
| French-Speaking Skilled Worker | Yes | Includes the FSWP and CECRequires applicants to have strong skills in English or FrenchCandidates should have a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree Candidates should have a valid Express Entry profile Applicants should have a minimum of one year of full-time paid work experience |
2. Employer Job Offer Category
Another way to immigrate to Canada via Ontario’s PNP is the Employer Job Offer category.
| Stream Name | Express Entry Linked? | Details |
| Foreign Worker | No | Requires job offer It is for skilled workers with two years of work experience if the profession does not require a license or other certification Job offer must include pay that is higher than the median wage level for that profession in Ontario |
| International Students | No | Requires a job offer It is for recent graduates of Ontario post-secondary institutions |
| In-Demand Skills | No | Requires a job offer It is for ‘intermediate skilled workers’ in certain eligible sectors who have a job offer to work in an in-demand professionApplicants should have a minimum of nine months of work experience Job offer should include pay which is higher than the median wage level for that profession in OntarioRequires applicants to have CLB level 4 or higher Applicants should have a high school diploma |
| Skilled Trades | No | Requires a job offer Employment offer must include pay which is higher than the median wage level for that profession in Ontario Applicants should have a two-year degree/ diploma from a Canadian institution |
3. Business Category
| Stream Name | Express Entry Linked? | Details |
| Entrepreneur | No | For foreign nationals looking to start a business or purchase an existing one in Ontario Applicants should have business experience of 24 months in the last 60 months Applicants should control a minimum of one-third of business equity Candidates should be actively involved in managing the business |
If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can also drop us an email at [email protected].
