The OINP International Student Stream is a pathway for international graduates to secure permanent residency in Ontario through a job offer in a skilled occupation.
This program helps employers address labour shortages while providing a PR opportunity for international students.
Applicants must meet specific education, job offer, and employer requirements to qualify. The process involves an Expression of Interest (EOI), application submission, and nomination by Ontario.
Once nominated, candidates can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Understanding the eligibility criteria, scoring system, and application steps is crucial for a successful application.
What Is the OINP International Student Stream?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) International Student Stream is a provincial immigration pathway designed to help international graduates secure permanent residency in Ontario.
This stream falls under the Employer Job Offer category and allows international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation to apply for nomination by the Ontario government.
The program is open to international students inside and outside Canada. A key benefit of this stream is that work experience is not a mandatory requirement, making it an accessible option for recent graduates.
Successful applicants who receive a provincial nomination can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
How Does the OINP International Student Stream Work?
The OINP International Student Stream follows a step-by-step process:
- Register an Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates submit an online profile through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Ontario periodically holds draws to invite top-scoring candidates
- Submit an Application: Invited candidates have 14 days to submit a complete application
- Receive a Provincial Nomination: Successful applicants receive an official nomination from Ontario
- Apply for Permanent Residency: Nominees submit their application to the federal government for final approval
This program is not aligned with Express Entry, meaning the processing time for permanent residency can take over a year.
Who Is Eligible for the OINP International Student Stream?
To qualify for the OINP International Student Stream, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Educational Credential
- A degree or diploma from a Canadian institution that takes at least two years to complete if studied full-time
- A degree, diploma, or certificate that takes at least one year to complete if it requires a previous degree as an admission requirement
- At least half of the program must have been completed while living and studying in Canada
Job Offer Requirements
- A full-time and permanent position
- The job must fall under Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- The offered wage must meet or exceed the low-wage level for that occupation in Ontario
- The position must be urgently needed by the employer
Other Eligibility Criteria
- Must intend to live and work in Ontario
- Must have legal status in Canada at the time of application
- Must be medically and criminally admissible to Canada
What Documents Are Needed for the OINP International Student Stream Application?
Applicants must provide:
- Valid passport
- Educational credentials from a Canadian institution
- Job offer letter from an eligible Ontario employer
- Proof of legal status in Canada (if applicable)
- Proof of intent to reside in Ontario
- Supporting documents for any licensing or regulatory requirements (if applicable)
How to Apply for the OINP International Student Stream?
The application process consists of five main steps:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates must register through the OINP e-Filing Portal
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): High-scoring candidates receive an invitation through periodic draws
- Submit the Complete Application: Candidates must apply within 14 days of receiving the ITA and provide necessary documents
- Obtain the Provincial Nomination: If approved, the applicant receives a nomination certificate
- Apply for Permanent Residency: Candidates must submit a federal application to IRCC for final approval
What Are the Job Offer Requirements for OINP International Student Stream?
For a job offer to be valid under this stream, it must meet specific conditions:
- Full-Time and Permanent: The job must require at least 30 hours of work per week
- Eligible NOC Category: The position must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC system
- Salary Requirements: The offered wage must be at or above the low-wage threshold for the occupation and region in Ontario
- Urgent Business Need: The employer must prove that hiring the applicant is essential to business operations
- Location in Ontario: The job must be based within the province
Self-employed professionals and contract-based roles are not eligible under this stream.
How Long Does the OINP International Student Stream Processing Take?
The processing time for the OINP International Student Stream depends on two key stages: provincial nomination and federal permanent residency application.
OINP Nomination Processing Time
- Typically takes between 30 to 150 days, depending on the volume of applications and complexity of individual cases.
- Delays may occur due to incomplete documentation or additional information requests from the Ontario government.
Permanent Residency (PR) Application Processing Time
- Once nominated, candidates must apply for PR through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Since this stream is not aligned with the Express Entry system, PR applications may take over a year to be processed.
- Processing times vary based on IRCC’s workload, background checks, and security screenings.
Applicants are encouraged to track their application status through the OINP e-Filing Portal and IRCC’s online system for updates.
What Are the Applicant Requirements for the OINP International Student Stream?
To apply for the OINP International Student Stream, candidates must meet several eligibility requirements after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Expression of Interest (EOI) and ITA
- Applicants must have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) and received an Invitation to Apply within the designated deadline.
- They must provide evidence of the qualifications claimed in their EOI submission.
Education Requirements
- A two-year undergraduate diploma or degree from a Canadian institution (full-time) or
- A one-year graduate diploma, certificate, or degree that required a completed degree for admission.
- More than half of the program must have been completed while living and studying in Canada.
Valid Licence or Authorization (If Required)
- If the job offer is in a regulated profession or skilled trade, applicants must hold the necessary Ontario licence or certification.
Intention to Reside in Ontario
- Candidates must prove they plan to live and work in Ontario, demonstrated through job offers, previous employment, property leases, or family connections.
Legal Status in Canada (If Applicable)
- If applying from Canada, candidates must hold a valid study permit, work permit, or visitor record.
- Applicants in maintained status (awaiting permit renewal) are also eligible.
Application Deadline
- Applications must be submitted within two years of completing the required education credential.
What Are the Employer Requirements for the OINP International Student Stream?
Employers offering a valid job offer under this stream must meet specific requirements:
General Business Requirements
- The employer must have been in active business for at least three years in Ontario.
- Business premises must be located in Ontario where the applicant will work.
- No outstanding violations under the Employment Standards Act or Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Revenue Requirements
Employers must meet a minimum revenue threshold:
- $1,000,000 total gross annual revenue for businesses inside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- $500,000 total gross annual revenue for businesses outside the GTA.
Full-Time Employee Requirements
Businesses must have:
- At least five full-time Canadian citizens or permanent residents if located inside the GTA.
- At least three full-time Canadian citizens or permanent residents if located outside the GTA.
Employer Form Submission
- Employers must complete and submit an Application for Approval of an Employment Position (Employer Form).
- Missing this form results in an incomplete application, requiring the candidate to reapply in a future EOI draw.
How Does the OINP International Student Stream Scoring System Work?
The OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system ranks candidates based on several scoring factors. Higher scores increase the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
| Category | Scoring Factors | Maximum Points |
| Job Offer (NOC TEER Level) | TEER 0 or 1 (10 Points), TEER 2 or 3 (8 Points) | 10 |
| Job Offer Wage | $40/hour or more (10 Points), $20-$39.99/hour (5 Points) | 10 |
| Work/Study Permit Status | With a valid permit (10 Points) | 10 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 12+ months (4 Points), NOC TEER A (3 Points) | 4 |
| Education Level | PhD (10 Points), Master’s (8 Points), Bachelor’s (6 Points), Diploma/Certificate (5 Points) | 10 |
| Language Ability | CLB 9+ (10 Points), CLB 8 (6 Points), CLB 7 (4 Points) | 10 |
| Regional Immigration (Location of Job Offer or Study) | Northern Ontario (10 Points), Outside GTA (8 Points), Inside GTA (3-6 Points) | 10 |
Candidates with higher scores are invited first during OINP draws. To improve their score, applicants can secure job offers in high-demand TEER 0 or 1 occupations, improve language skills, or obtain additional education credentials.
What Are the Common Reasons for OINP International Student Stream Rejection?
Applications can be refused for various reasons, including:
Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation
- Missing documents, inconsistent information, or failure to provide translations for non-English or non-French documents can lead to rejection.
Not Meeting Job Offer Requirements
- The job offer must be full-time, permanent, and in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- The wage must meet or exceed the low-wage threshold for the specific region in Ontario.
Lack of Intention to Reside in Ontario
- Applicants must provide evidence of strong ties to Ontario, such as work experience, studies, property leases, or family connections.
- If authorities suspect an applicant intends to move elsewhere in Canada, the application may be refused.
Employer Failing to Meet Eligibility Criteria
- The employer must have been operating for at least three years and meet revenue and employee requirements.
- If the employer does not meet these criteria, the job offer may be deemed invalid.
Failure to Meet the Required Score in the Expression of Interest (EOI) System
- OINP uses a points-based ranking system.
- If an applicant does not score high enough, they may not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or may be deemed ineligible.
To avoid rejection, applicants should thoroughly review all requirements, verify employer eligibility, and provide complete and accurate documentation.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for the OINP International Student Stream?
The application fee for the OINP International Student Stream depends on where the job is located:
- Inside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): $1,500
- Outside the GTA: $1,200
These fees are non-refundable, even if an application is rejected. In addition to OINP fees, candidates must also pay the federal application fees for permanent residency, which include:
- Principal applicant fee: $850
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $515
- Biometrics fee: $85 (if applicable)
Additional costs may include educational credential assessments, medical exams, and police clearance certificates.
Can You Apply for Permanent Residency After OINP Nomination?
Yes, once an applicant receives a provincial nomination from Ontario, they can submit a federal application for permanent residency (PR) through IRCC.
Key Steps After OINP Nomination:
- Receive the Nomination Certificate: OINP issues an official Nomination Approval Letter and a Nomination Certificate.
- Submit a PR Application to IRCC: This includes personal details, supporting documents, and proof of funds.
- Medical and Security Checks: Applicants must pass medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates from all countries they have lived in for over six months.
- Final Decision by IRCC: If approved, candidates receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can move forward with landing procedures.
Once PR is granted, applicants can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, but they are expected to settle in Ontario as per their nomination.
How Does the OINP International Student Stream Compare to Other Ontario Immigration Pathways?
Ontario offers multiple immigration pathways for skilled workers and international students. Here’s how the International Student Stream compares to other OINP categories:
| Feature | International Student Stream | Foreign Worker Stream | Masters Graduate Stream |
| Job Offer Required? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Work Experience Required? | No | Yes (at least 2 years) | No |
| Express Entry Linked? | No | No | No |
| Processing Speed | Slower (paper-based) | Slower (paper-based) | Faster |
| Education Requirement | Canadian degree/diploma | Any post-secondary | Master’s from Ontario |
The International Student Stream is ideal for graduates with a valid job offer but no work experience. In contrast, the Masters Graduate Stream allows students to apply without a job offer but requires an Ontario Master’s degree.
What Are the Benefits of Applying Through the OINP International Student Stream?
The OINP International Student Stream offers several advantages, including:
- No Work Experience Requirement: Unlike most immigration programs, this stream does not require prior work experience, making it accessible to recent graduates.
- Open to Applicants Inside and Outside Canada: International graduates can apply even if they have returned to their home country after studying in Canada.
- Direct Path to Permanent Residency: Unlike temporary work permits, this stream provides a straightforward route to PR.
- Prioritization of International Students: Ontario recognizes the contribution of international graduates and provides an easier immigration pathway compared to other economic streams.
- No Need for Express Entry Profile: Candidates do not need to meet Express Entry CRS score requirements, making the process less competitive.
This stream is especially beneficial for graduates who do not qualify for Express Entry due to limited work experience or lower CRS scores.
Conclusion
The OINP International Student Stream provides a valuable opportunity for international graduates to build their careers and settle permanently in Ontario. By ensuring a valid job offer, meeting eligibility requirements, and submitting a complete application, candidates can enhance their chances of receiving a provincial nomination.
This stream offers a direct route to permanent residency without requiring prior work experience. While processing times may vary, a successful application leads to PR approval through IRCC. Applicants should stay updated on OINP draw trends, employer eligibility, and required documents to navigate the process effectively.
FAQs
Who Can Apply for the OINP International Student Stream?
International graduates with a valid job offer in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations who meet Ontario’s education and residency requirements can apply.
Do I Need Work Experience for This Program?
No, work experience is not required, making this an ideal pathway for recent graduates looking for permanent residency.
How Long Does the OINP Process Take?
OINP nomination takes 30 to 150 days, while permanent residency processing through IRCC can take over a year.
What Happens If My Employer Does Not Meet the Requirements?
If your employer fails to meet revenue or staffing requirements, your application will be refused, and you must secure a new job offer.
Can I Apply if I Am Outside Canada?
Yes, international students outside Canada can apply if they have a valid Canadian education credential and a job offer.
