Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Eligibility Requirements

The OINP, which stands for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, is a program for people who want to move to Ontario, a province in Canada. If you have the skills and knowledge that Ontario needs, they will give you a special certificate called a “Nomination Certificate.” This certificate lets you apply to become a permanent resident of Canada faster than other ways.

The HCP stream is a part of the Ontario provincial nominee program. It’s designed for smart and skilled workers who can help Ontario by working in important jobs. It’s connected to the Express Entry system, which is a quick way to become a permanent resident.

If you’re already in the Express Entry program and Ontario gives you a nomination, you get 600 extra points for your application. This almost guarantees that you’ll be invited to become a permanent resident in Canada very soon.
Do I need a connection to Ontario to qualify for the OINP’s Human Capital Priorities [HCP] stream?
No, you don’t have to be connected to Ontario to be eligible for the HCP stream of the OINP.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the OINP’s HCP stream?
No, having a job offer is not required to be eligible for the HCP stream of the OINP.

OINP Tech Draws are a way to find people with tech skills in the Express Entry pool. They aim to invite those with technological expertise.

No, they specifically target 6 tech job categories: NOC 2173, NOC 2174, NOC 2147, NOC 2175, NOC 2172, and NOC 0213.

BC PNP focuses on 29 different tech jobs, while OINP Tech Draws have a list of 6 eligible tech jobs.

Processing times can vary depending on the specific stream and the complexity of your application. As of February 11, 2021, the processing time for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream was between 60 to 90 days.

A: To get permanent residency in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you need to follow two steps. First, you have to get a nomination from the provincial or territorial government. Once you have this nomination, you can then apply to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for your permanent residency.

A: The OINP’s Regional Immigration Pilot is a program that lasts for two years. It is designed to help smaller communities in Ontario benefit from economic immigration. Under this pilot program, certain nominations in the OINP’s Job Offer category are reserved for people who want to live in these smaller communities.

The communities that are part of Ontario’s Regional Immigration Pilot include Chatham-Kent, City of Cornwall, and the Cities of Belleville and Quinte West. If you want to be considered for this pilot program, you must submit a completed intake form. The OINP does not accept CVs and resumes for this purpose.

Under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), there are three main categories:
Human Capital Category: This has two parts – Ontario’s Express Entry streams and the International Graduates streams.
Express Entry Stream: To be eligible, you must receive an invitation from Ontario and have an updated profile.
International Graduate Stream: You can qualify for this if you have a degree from an eligible Ontario university and apply within two years of getting the degree.
General Category or Employer Job Offer Category: This category includes three streams:
Foreign Worker Stream: This is for skilled workers in specific jobs.
International Student Stream: For recent graduates in Ontario.
In-Demand Skills Stream: For skilled workers in specific sectors like agriculture, construction, trucking, and personal support workers.
Business Category: To qualify, you must be an entrepreneur from outside Canada looking to start a new business or buy an existing one in Ontario.

To apply for the OINP, follow these steps:
Ensure You Qualify: Check if you meet all the requirements for the specific stream you want to apply under.
Apply for Nomination by Ontario: Apply online through the OINP e-Filing Portal, which usually takes two to three hours.
Apply for Permanent Residence: If Ontario nominates you, you can apply for permanent residence through the Government of Canada’s IRCC.

The Ontario Express Entry category has two streams:
Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream: This is for skilled workers who can contribute to Ontario’s job market and communities. To be considered, you must join the federal Express Entry pool through either the Federal Skilled Worker Class or the Canadian Experience Class. You can’t apply directly; Ontario will send you an invitation based on your Express Entry profile.
Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: This stream is for French-speaking professionals with good English skills who want to live and work in Ontario permanently. You need to join the federal Express Entry pool through either the Federal Skilled Worker Class or the Canadian Experience Class. Similar to the first stream, you can’t apply directly; Ontario will send you an invitation based on your Express Entry profile.
If you’re nominated through one of these streams, you’ll get an extra 600 points towards your Express Entry profile, increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence later on.

The OINP General Category, also known as the Employer Category or the International Skilled Workers with a Job Offer Stream, allows employers in Ontario to hire skilled workers from other countries for specific jobs. These jobs should fall under skill categories known as NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A, or Skill Level B.
Both the employer in Ontario and the foreign worker interested in the job need to request permission to apply under this category. To make sure the job can be filled by a foreign worker, the employer must first submit a Pre-screen Application to the OINP. If this application is approved, the employer can then send a Nominee Application for the specific foreign worker they want to hire.

To qualify as a skilled worker under the OINP General Category, you need to meet certain requirements:
You must have worked in the occupation you’re interested in for at least two years (which equals 24 months). This work experience can be in Canada or in another country, but it should have happened in the five years before you apply.
If you are applying for a job in a profession that is regulated in Ontario, you must also have the necessary registration to work in that profession in the province.
You need to have a job offer for full-time, permanent employment from an employer in Ontario. This employer should also be submitting an application for a job in a professional occupation, which means the job should be at NOC levels 0, A, or B.
You can be living in another country or already in Canada. If you’re in Canada, you should have a valid work permit, study permit, or visitor record.