Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program – OINP application is a program that allows specific foreign individuals interested in Ontario immigration to apply for permanent residence in Canada in a more efficient and timely manner.

The program, previously known as the Opportunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OOPNP), is for potential immigrants who have the specific skills and expertise that the province is looking for.

The OINP’s key goals are to address talent shortages in specified areas, make it simpler to invest in Ontario, and ensure that newcomers can settle in and integrate successfully. It identifies and nominates candidates for permanent residence who have the skills and experience the Ontario economy requires, while the Government of Canada takes the ultimate decision to accept permanent residence applications.

The PNP gives Ontario the ability to match immigrants’ skills to Ontario employers’ and labour market needs In 2009, the Ontario PNP was only authorized to nominate up to 1,000 newcomers when it first began. Approximately 8,000 newcomers are selected each year in Ontario.

How to apply for the provincial nominee program in Ontario?

To apply as a provincial nominee, all candidates must meet the minimum requirements of one of the province or territory’s non-Express Entry streams. Applicants can also apply for Ontario PNP if they are nominated under that stream.

You can apply for permanent residency after receiving a nomination from a province or territory. You must complete all necessary online digital forms before submitting your online application. Also, before submitting your application, ensure that you have answered all questions, electronically signed your application, and uploaded all supporting papers.

Keep in mind that you must attach a copy of the nomination certificate that was provided to you by the province or territory in your application. You may also consult with an immigration professional (a lawyer or consultant who specializes in immigration) who may offer guidance and help you with your application.

OINP fees

The OINP application fee is $1,500 CAD. If your application is approved by the province, Ontario will notify the candidate that they have been chosen for provincial nomination. This notice will be delivered to the applicant’s online IRCC account.

OINP requirements:

The processes involved in getting Permanent Residence through the OINP streams are listed below to understand the process better. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Meet the qualification criteria of the federal FSW or CEC programs.
• Create your valid Express Entry profile and pick “Ontario” or “All Provinces and Territories” as their province of interest.
• Meet the HCP stream’s minimum qualifying criteria.
• Have a Notification of Interest directly in your EE profile.
• You must apply for the HCP stream via the OINP e-Filing Portal within 45 days of getting the Notification of Interest (completing the required forms and uploading all the required documents).
• Accept the Ontario provincial nomination on your EE profile within 30 days of receiving it (after the OINP approves your application).
• Receive an Invitation to Apply after achieving 600 CRS points in your Express Entry pool profile (ITA).
• Submit your application for Canadian permanent residence through your EE profile.

OINP categories:

If you want to immigrate to Ontario, you can do it in one of three ways:

• Human Capital Category
• Employer Job Offer Category
• Business Category

Ontario PNP Human Capital Stream in detail:

Human Capital Category

There are two sub-streams within the Human Capital Category, and the Ontario Express Entry program is one of them. These sub-program streams have been enhanced, and as a result, they are integrated into the Express Entry system that Canada uses to manage permanent residence applications.

OINP Federal Skilled Worker

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class are also included in this category (CEC). Individuals with relevant Ontario work experience in a qualifying trade occupation are eligible for the Skilled Trades stream. Further detailed information about the program and eligibility can be found on the OINP website.

French Speaking Skilled Workers

Like Human Capital Priorities Stream, this program is administered through FSWP and CEC. Candidates for the position of French-Speaking Skilled Worker must be fluent in both French and English.

You will be contacted if you are nominated through Ontario Express Entry. You, the candidate, will then have the option of accepting or declining the nomination. Receiving the nomination will get you 600 more CRS points, and you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry all-program draw.

The Human Capital category includes the following programs:

Sub-stream for International Graduates

They aren’t aligned with the Express Entry system. An applicant must first build a profile and demonstrate an interest in the position (EOI):

• Masters Graduate Stream: For individuals who received Master’s degrees from an Ontario University
• Ph.D. Graduate Stream: For an individual who received a Ph.D. degree from an Ontario University.

Note that both the masters and Ph.D. Graduate Streams employ Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

• Application Fee: CAD $1,500
• Processing Time: 30-60 days

Application process:

• Once you’ve determined which stream you’re eligible for, go to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program website and create a ONe-key account.
• You must first create a profile, after which you must begin your application through the Portal by choosing the file number next to the stream you wish to apply for. You’ll need to submit the appropriate documents as well.
• You must keep an active profile until you are nominated if you are applying for one of the Express Entry streams.
• You will get an OINP Certificate of Nomination and a Nomination Approval Letter if your application is approved through email.
• For Express Entry Streams: Your nomination certificate will be sent to you via your profile. It would help if you accepted the nomination to get an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This implies that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence through the next Express Entry Draw.

The Provincial Nominee Programs allow Ontario to align immigrants’ abilities to the requirements of Ontario companies and the labor market.

Graduate Streams

Within 6 months, you must apply for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Provide a copy of your nomination confirmation letter and certificate with your application.

OINP – Employer Job Offer Category in detail:

The following three programs exist under the Employer Job Offer Category:

• Foreign worker stream: for skilled workers;
• International students: for recent graduates of Ontario post-secondary Canadian institutions;
• In-demand skills stream: for intermediate skilled foreign workers in specific sectors, such as agriculture, construction, trucking, and personal support workers.

Application process:

You must first sign up on the OINP e-Filing Portal and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Ontario conducts provincial regular draws to choose the top applicants from the pool. If you are selected, you will be notified via the Portal and will have 14 calendar days to submit your application. All qualified applicants will get a provincial nomination certificate.

Candidates must then apply for permanent residence with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.  You can use your ONe-key account to submit your application.

OINP in-demand checklist

These are the essential documents that must be scanned and uploaded with your application when applying to the OINP’s In-Demand Skills Stream:

• language test results
• resumé
• expression of interest selection factors
• other optional documents (if applicable)
• job offer documents
• documents to support your work history
• education documents
• declaration
• identity documents
• status documents in Canada

OINP – Business Category in detail:

The Business Category is for people who want to start a business in Ontario or buy an existing one. Under the Business Category, there is presently only one stream: Entrepreneur Stream.

Minimum Requirements (OINP eligibility):

• In the last 60 months, you must have had 24 months of business experience.
• If the firm will be located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), a net worth of CAD 800,000 is required; if the business is located outside the GTA, CAD 400,000 is needed.
• The personal investment of a minimum of CAD 600,000 if the business is located in the GTA, or CAD 200,000 if not.
• At least one-third of the company’s equity must be under your control.
• Must be actively involved in the management of the business
• The primary goal of investing must be to make a profit.
• Suppose the firm is located in the GTA. In that case, it must provide at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents or one permanent full-time job if the business will be located outside the GTA. If the company is in the information and communications or digital communications sectors, only one full-time position is necessary, regardless of location.
• Must meet additional requirements if you are purchasing an existing business.

Application process:

You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by emailing the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and requesting a registration form. You will be needed to fill out the form and return it through email.

After that, you will be placed in a pool and ranked against other candidates. Ontario holds draws regularly, and the top-ranked individuals are asked to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream via the OINP e-Filing Portal. You’ll also need to contact a skilled vendor to assess your net worth and legal fund buildup.

OINP document checklist:

Check out the OINP application checklist thoroughly before submitting your application. When you (or your representative) apply to the OINP online, keep in mind to scan and upload all relevant documents. You will find the list of the required documents below. You can also follow this link to find the correct checklist for your application:

• Notification of Interest from Ontario
• Identity documents
• Status documents in Canada
• Education documents
• Language tests results
• Documents to show employment in Ontario
• Work history documents
• Documents to demonstrate that you meet the settlement funds requirement
• Resumé
• Intention to reside in Ontario documents
• Family documents

What are OINP processing times?

• International Student stream: 90-120 days
• Human Capital Category: 30-60 days
• Employer Job Offer Category: 60-90 days
• OINP Skilled Trade: 70-100 days

Where to find OINP’s latest draw 2022 stats?

You can visit Ontario’s official webpage to find all the latest updates and news about OINP draws in 2022.

Why choose Canadapt Consulting for your OINP Application?

While the application process for an Ontario PNP may appear straightforward, some candidates choose to “do it themselves” instead of consulting an immigration specialist. Ontario PNP applications are more likely to be rejected if not adequately prepared. The bar has been set extremely high.

To obtain a PNP, you must go through a long process that frequently involves the help of a professional. Through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program, we’ve helped hundreds of people and families settle in Canada. You can rely on our knowledgeable immigration experts to evaluate your situation and recommend how to proceed in the most effective approach possible.