Ontario PNP: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Ontario is the most populous province in Canada and one of the primary destinations for immigrants worldwide. Nearly 40% of the country’s population lives in Ontario, reflecting its strong economic and cultural significance.
The province is home to both the national capital city, Ottawa, and Canada’s largest city, Toronto. It attracts a large share of newcomers each year—about one-third of all immigrants to Canada choose to settle in Ontario. Many are drawn by strong employment prospects, higher income levels, and its diverse, multicultural society. In cities like Toronto, more than half of residents were born outside Canada.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is the province’s official immigration pathway for skilled workers and other eligible candidates.
Through this program, Ontario selects individuals whose skills and experience match local labour market needs. Those who are nominated by the province can then apply for permanent residence in Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Table of Contents
Overview
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), also known as the Ontario PNP, was established in 2007. It was created to help address labour shortages in key sectors, encourage investment in Ontario, and support the successful settlement and integration of newcomers into the province.
Ontario operates both base streams and enhanced streams under its immigration system.
Enhanced streams are connected to the federal Express Entry system, which is used by the Government of Canada to manage applications for its main economic immigration programs. Candidates in Express Entry are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the highest-scoring individuals are invited to apply for permanent residence.
If a candidate receives a provincial nomination through an enhanced stream, they are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. This greatly increases their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. In these cases, the nomination is processed through the candidate’s Express Entry profile.
Base streams are not linked to Express Entry. Applicants who are nominated under these streams must apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence after receiving their nomination.
Ontario Immigration Streams
Individuals who want to immigrate to Ontario can apply through three main categories of immigration pathways:
- Express Entry streams
- Master’s or PhD Graduate streams
- Employer Job Offer streams
Express Entry Streams
These streams are designed for skilled workers, French-speaking skilled workers, and tradespersons. They operate through the federal Express Entry system. To be considered, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile and may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Master’s or PhD Graduate Streams
These pathways are intended for international students who have completed a master’s or PhD degree at an eligible university in Ontario. A job offer is not required to apply under this category.
Employer Job Offer Streams
These streams are for candidates who have a valid job offer from an eligible employer in Ontario. The employer must also meet specific program requirements to support the nomination process.
Each of these categories includes several individual streams with their own detailed eligibility criteria and requirements.
| Category | Is a job offer required? | Is the stream Express Entry aligned? | Additional requirements |
| Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream | No | Yes |
|
| Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream | No | Yes |
|
Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream (Suspended as of November 14, 2025) | No | Yes |
|
| Employer job offer: Foreign Worker Stream | Yes | No |
|
| Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills Stream | Yes | No |
|
| Employer job offer: International Student Stream | Yes | No |
|
| Masters Graduate Stream | No | No |
|
| PhD Graduate Stream | No | No |
|
Common Additional Eligibility Criteria (OINP)
Most Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) streams include a set of shared eligibility requirements. These are applied across different pathways and may vary slightly depending on the specific stream.
Licensing and Certification Requirements (if applicable)
If your past or current work experience is in a regulated or compulsory trade, you must provide proof that you hold (or previously held) a valid licence or authorization from an appropriate Ontario regulatory authority, even if you are no longer working in that occupation.
Legal Status and Residence in Ontario
Applicants inside Canada must maintain valid immigration status when applying and until a decision is made on their application. Acceptable status includes a work permit, study permit, or visitor record.
Applicants with “maintained status” may also apply. This applies when you have submitted an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to extend or change your status before your current permit expires. During this period, you can remain in Canada under the same conditions while waiting for a decision.
Some streams may also accept applications from individuals outside Canada, depending on eligibility.
Intention to Live in Ontario
Applicants must demonstrate that they genuinely intend to reside in Ontario after becoming permanent residents. This intention is assessed based on various ties to the province, such as:
Previous or current employment in Ontario
Job offers or active job applications/interviews in Ontario
Educational history in the province
Volunteer experience
Property ownership or rental agreements
Visits to Ontario
Professional, family, or community connections
Settlement Funds Requirement
Applicants must show that they have enough financial resources to support themselves and any dependent family members when settling in Canada.
A dependent family member may include a spouse or common-law partner, as well as children under the age of 22 and their dependent children.
Proof of funds can be demonstrated through one or more of the following:
Bank statements or investment account balances (such as savings, fixed deposits, or mutual funds)
Income from ongoing employment in Ontario
A valid job offer from an Ontario employer
Specific funding requirements vary depending on the applicant’s family size and situation.
| Work definition | Qualifying experience |
| Cumulative work | The work you have done must add up to one year (1,560 hours), but it does not have to be one year of continuous work. |
| Full-time work experience | You have worked in a job with at least 30 hours of paid work in a week which amounts to at least 1,560 hours of paid work in one year. |
| Part-time equivalent work experience | You have either:
|
Language Test Requirements (OINP)
To demonstrate English and/or French language ability, applicants must complete a language test from an approved testing organization. The test must have been taken within the two years before submitting the application.
Accepted English Language Tests
Applicants may submit results from one of the following approved English tests:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Only the General Training version is accepted
IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
Only the CELPIP General test is accepted
Pearson Test of English (PTE Core)
Only the PTE Core version is accepted
PTE Academic is not accepted
Accepted French Language Tests
Applicants who are submitting French test results may use:
Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada)
Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada)
Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
The Human Capital Priorities Stream is part of Ontario’s Express Entry–aligned immigration pathways. It is designed for skilled foreign workers who have the required education, work experience, and language ability to settle and work permanently in Ontario.
To be eligible, candidates must already have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system managed by IRCC and must receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) before they can apply for provincial nomination.
If a candidate is nominated through this stream, they will be notified and can choose to accept or decline the nomination. Accepting it adds 600 CRS points to their Express Entry profile, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next federal draw.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependent family members
- Intend to live and settle in Ontario
- Meet all additional eligibility criteria specific to the sub-stream they are applying under
Each application is also subject to the detailed requirements of the specific Human Capital Priorities pathway within the OINP.
| Category | Is a job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream | No | Yes |
|
Candidates in the Human Capital Priorities stream can choose to have their work experience assessed against criteria of the FSWP, or the CEC program (both under the federal Express Entry system).
Human Capital Priorities Stream – Work Experience Requirements (OINP)
Applicants in the Human Capital Priorities Stream may have their work experience evaluated under either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), both of which are part of Canada’s Express Entry system.
Although these two programs have slightly different rules, all applicants must meet the core requirement of having at least one year of eligible work experience. This experience must be either full-time or an equivalent amount of part-time work.
Work experience is only considered valid if it was gained after the applicant obtained any required licence or authorization to perform the job in Ontario. Any work completed before receiving proper authorization will not be counted toward eligibility.
Additional Requirements
In addition to work experience criteria, candidates must also demonstrate:
- Valid professional licensing, if required for their occupation
- Sufficient funds to support themselves and their family during settlement
- A genuine intention to reside in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident
- Legal immigration status in Canada, if applying from within the country
Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is designed for skilled professionals who are proficient in both French and English. It provides a pathway for eligible candidates to obtain permanent residence in Ontario through the federal Express Entry system.
To be considered, applicants must first have an active profile in the IRCC Express Entry pool and be registered in the OINP Expression of Interest system. Candidates must also receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario before they are allowed to submit an application for provincial nomination.
If an applicant is nominated through this stream, they will be notified and can choose to accept or decline the nomination. Accepting it adds 600 CRS points to their Express Entry profile, significantly increasing the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next federal draw.
Eligibility Overview
This stream generally requires candidates to demonstrate strong French language ability along with English proficiency, in addition to meeting the core requirements of the Express Entry system.
| Category | Is a job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream | No | Yes |
|
Additional Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the main criteria for this stream, applicants must also:
- Show a genuine intention to reside in Ontario after becoming a permanent resident
- Hold valid legal immigration status in Canada if they are applying from inside the country
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members, as required by the program
Language Test Requirement
Candidates are required to complete language assessments in both English and French in order to qualify for this stream.
Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
Important Notice:
The Skilled Trades Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has been suspended as of November 14, 2025. Ontario has stopped accepting new applications and is returning all pending files under this stream, citing concerns related to systematic misrepresentation and fraud.
Overview (when previously active)
This stream was designed for skilled workers with experience in eligible skilled trades, offering a pathway to permanent residence in Ontario through the federal Express Entry system.
To be considered, candidates were required to have an active profile in the IRCC Express Entry pool and be registered in the OINP Expression of Interest system. Applicants also needed to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario before they could apply for provincial nomination.
If a candidate was nominated through this stream, they would receive notification and could choose to accept or decline it. Accepting the nomination added 600 CRS points to their Express Entry profile, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a federal draw.
Eligibility Overview (previous requirements)
When the stream was active, candidates were generally required to meet the core Express Entry criteria along with additional requirements specific to skilled trade experience, eligibility through Ontario’s selection process, and proof of relevant work history in an approved trade occupation.
| Category | Is a job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream | No | Yes |
|
Additional Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the main criteria, candidates in this stream must also:
Currently be living in Ontario and maintain valid legal status in Canada. If a work permit has expired, applicants may still be eligible provided they submitted an application to IRCC to extend or renew their permit before it expired, and are in maintained status.
Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds based on their personal and family situation, as required by the program.
Clearly show an intention to reside in Ontario if they are granted permanent resident status.
Masters and PhD streams
Non–Express Entry Streams (OINP)
The following pathways are not connected to the federal Express Entry system. Instead, applicants must first create a profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for provincial nomination by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
Master’s Graduate Stream
The Master’s Graduate Stream is intended for international students who have completed a master’s degree from an eligible university in Ontario. It provides a route for these graduates to apply for permanent residence through provincial nomination.
To be eligible, candidates must first register in the OINP Expression of Interest system. Only after submitting an EOI can they be invited to apply for nomination through the Ontario government’s online application process.
Stream | Job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Eligibility requirements |
Masters Graduate Stream | No | No |
|
In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:
- Show adequate settlement funds for the stream, relevant to their situation;
- Intend to live in Ontario; and
- Have legal status in Canada at the time of their application, if applying from within the country
PhD stream
The PhD Graduate stream is designed gives international students who have earned a PhD degree in Ontario the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
| Stream | Job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Eligibility requirements |
| PhD Graduate Stream | No | No |
|
In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:
- Show adequate settlement funds for the stream, relevant to their situation;
- Intend to live in Ontario; and
- Have legal status in Canada at the time of their application, if applying from within the country.
Employer Job Offer Streams (OINP)
The Employer Job Offer streams under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) provide pathways to permanent residence for individuals who have a valid job offer from an employer in Ontario. Each stream includes its own specific eligibility requirements in addition to the general criteria.
Common Requirements for All Employer Job Offer Streams
All streams in this category require that:
- The job offer is for a full-time, permanent position
- The position is in an occupation that meets the specific requirements of the stream
- The role is urgently needed by the employer to support or expand business operations
- The job is located in Ontario and directly tied to an active Ontario-based business
Application Process
Applicants must first create a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Ontario periodically conducts draws to select the highest-ranking candidates from the EOI pool. If selected, applicants receive a notification through the portal and must submit their full application within 14 calendar days.
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream
The Foreign Worker Stream is designed for skilled foreign workers both inside and outside Canada who have a valid job offer in Ontario. It provides a pathway to permanent residence through provincial nomination.
To apply, candidates must first register in the OINP Expression of Interest system. Only those who receive an invitation from Ontario can proceed with submitting a full application for nomination.
This stream includes additional eligibility criteria that applicants must meet beyond the general Employer Job Offer requirements.
| Stream | Job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Eligibility requirements |
| Employer job offer: Foreign Worker Stream | Yes | No |
|
In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:
- Intend to live in Ontario;
- Have legal status in Canada, if they are applying from within the country; and
- Have adequate settlement funds to meet the requirements of the program.
- Have a job offer that pays equal to, or higher than the current median wage in the specific region of Ontario where work will be conducted. The current median wage can be found on the government’s Job Bank site.
Employer job offer: International Student Stream
The Employer job offer: International Students stream provides a pathway for foreign workers (both in and outside of Canada) who have a job offer in an in-demand occupation to settle permanently in Ontario. To be considered under this stream, candidates must have already registered with the OINP’s Expression of Interest system. The following provides an overview of eligibility criteria for this stream:| Stream | Job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Eligibility requirements |
| Employer job offer: International Student Stream | Yes | No |
|
Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
The Employer job offer: In-Demand Skills stream provides a pathway for foreign workers (both in and outside of Canada) who have a job offer in an in-demand occupation to settle permanently in Ontario. To be considered under this stream, candidates must have already registered with the OINP’s Expression of Interest system.
The following provides an overview of eligibility criteria for this stream:
| Stream | Job offer required? | Express Entry aligned? | Eligibility requirements |
| Employer job offer: International Student Stream | Yes | No |
|
In addition to the above criteria, candidates must:
- Intend to live in Ontario;
- Have legal status in Canada, if they are applying from within the country; and
- Have adequate settlement funds to meet the requirements of the program;
- Have a job offer that pays equal to, or higher than the low-wage level in the specific region of Ontario where work will be conducted. The current low-wage level can be found on the government’s Job Bank site.
