Are you dreaming of starting a new chapter in your life and immigrating to Ontario, Canada? Look no further than the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – your ticket to a vibrant future filled with endless opportunities! In this blog post, we’ll dive into the depths of what OINP is all about and guide you through the step-by-step process of applying for this incredible program. So buckle up and get ready to embark on an exciting journey toward making Ontario your forever home!
What is Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the Government of Ontario. The OINP allows the province to nominate individuals who meet specific economic criteria for permanent residence in Canada.
The program is designed to attract and retain foreign workers and international students who have the skills and experience needed to help fill labour shortages in key sectors of the provincial economy.
The OINP has two streams:
- The Human Capital Priorities Stream, which is aligned with Express Entry
- The Career Streams are for candidates who do not meet the Human Capital Priorities Stream criteria
To be eligible for nomination under either stream, candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Candidates who meet the minimum criteria will be entered into a pool from which they may be selected to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Candidates receiving an ITA will have 60 days to complete and submit a full application to the OINP and all required supporting documentation. If successful, candidates will be nominated for permanent residence by the province of Ontario.
Eligibility Criteria for the OINP
In order to be eligible for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), you should:
- Be a foreign national who is not currently residing in Canada
- Meet the eligibility criteria of at least one of the OINP streams
- Intend to live and work in Ontario
- Have the necessary settlement funds and skills required to establish yourself in Ontario successfully
- Meet the minimum language requirements of the stream you are applying under
Different Programs and Streams Offered Under OINP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers different programs and streams to immigrants who want to live and work in the province. The programs and streams are:
Human Capital Priorities Stream
Human Capital Priorities Stream is for highly skilled workers who have been invited to apply by the OINP. To be eligible, workers must have a valid Express Entry profile and meet the human capital criteria of the OINP.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
The French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream is for highly skilled French-speaking workers who have been invited to apply by the OINP. To be eligible, workers must have a valid Express Entry profile and meet the human capital criteria of the OINP.
Skilled Trades Stream
The skilled Trades Stream is for highly skilled tradespeople who have been invited to apply by the OINP. To be eligible, workers must have a valid Express Entry profile and meet the human capital criteria of the OINP.
Business Stream
The business stream is for experienced businesspeople who want to establish or invest in a small business in Ontario. To be eligible, applicants must meet the minimum investment requirements and create at least two full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in their business.
How to Apply for OINP?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a provincial nomination program designed to help skilled workers and professionals immigrate to Ontario. The program is employer-driven, meaning applicants must have a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer to apply.
If you are interested in applying for the OINP, here are the steps you need to take:
Check if you are eligible
To be eligible for the OINP, you should:
- Have a valid job offer from an eligible Ontario employer in your skilled occupation
- Meet the requirements of your specific occupation
- Score at least 67 out of 100 on the human capital factors selection grid
- Intend to live and work in Ontario
- Be able to prove that you have the financial resources to support yourself and your family during your first few months in Canada
Submit an expression of interest (EOI) profile
If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you must create an EOI profile and submit it online. Your profile will be given a score out of 100 based on the human capital factors selection grid mentioned above. If you score 67 or higher, you will be placed in a pool of candidates and invited to apply to the OINP.
Receive an invitation to apply and submit your application
If you are invited to apply, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application package. This will include documents such as your job offer letter, language test results, and proof of work experience.
Receive your nomination and apply for permanent residence
You will receive a provincial nomination from the Ontario government if your application is approved. You can then use this to apply for permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system or through a paper-based application.
Documents Required to Apply for OINP
To apply for the OINP, you will need the following documents:
- A completed OINP application form
- Your valid passport or travel document
- Two recent passport photographs of yourself
- A copy of your birth certificate
- A copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable)
- A copy of your divorce certificate (if applicable)
- A copy of your educational credentials
- Evidence of English or French language proficiency
- A CV/resume documenting your work experience
Processing Times and Fees Involved in Applying for OINP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers a fast-track option for eligible immigrants who want to live and work in the province of Ontario. The program is designed to help meet Ontario’s specific economic needs, and selection criteria vary depending on the stream under which you apply.
There are four main streams through which you can apply for the OINP:
- The Human Capital Priorities Stream is for highly skilled workers nominated by the federal Express Entry system. If the OINP selects you, you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- The Skilled Trades Stream is for workers in certain skilled trades occupations who the federal Express Entry system has nominated. If the OINP selects you, you will receive an ITA for permanent residence from IRCC.
- The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is for skilled workers who wish to live and work permanently in francophone communities in Ontario. You must submit an expression of interest to the OINP, and if you are selected, you will be invited to apply for a nomination certificate.
- The Entrepreneur Stream is open to foreign entrepreneurs who want to establish or purchase a business and reside permanently in Ontario with their families. You must first submit an expression of interest to the OINP, and if you are selected,
Benefits of Participating in the OINP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a great way for immigrants to get their start in Canada. The program allows newcomers to live and work in Ontario while also allowing them to apply for permanent residency.
There are many benefits to participating in the OINP, including:
- The ability to live and work in Ontario on a permanent basis
- The opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Canada through the program
- Access to all of the same government services and benefits as Canadian citizens
- A path to citizenship for those who are eligible
- The potential to earn a good salary and have a successful career in Ontario.
Conclusion
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is a great way to fast-track the process of becoming a permanent resident in Canada. With an attractive range of categories and options for applicants, there are multiple pathways available for those wishing to become Canadian citizens. Before applying, it’s important to understand all the requirements and criteria to ensure you meet them. We hope this article has provided enough information about the OINP and helped guide you through the process of applying for it successfully.
FAQ – What is Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?
What is the difference between Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and Express Entry?
An economic immigration scheme run by the Ontario government is known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP). The program nominates individuals who meet specific provincial criteria for permanent residence in Canada.
The Express Entry system is a Federal Government immigration selection system for skilled workers. Individuals who are eligible for Express Entry can submit an online profile to the Express Entry pool. From the pool, candidates are selected based on their human capital factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in English or French.
What is difference between OINP and PNP?
A few key differences exist between the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). For one, the OINP is only for immigrants who want to live and work in the province of Ontario, whereas the PNP is for immigrants who want to live and work in any Canadian province or territory.
Another difference is that the OINP has a few more eligibility requirements than the PNP. For example, applicants must have a valid job offer from an Ontario employer to be eligible for the OINP. The application process for the two programs is slightly different. The OINP has an online application system, while the PNP generally requires paper applications.
Do I need a job offer to apply for OINP?
You do not need a job offer to apply for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). However, having a job offer from an employer in Ontario will help your application. If you do not have a job offer, you may still be eligible if you meet the requirements for one of the other OINP streams.
Is there an age limit for OINP?
There is an age limit for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) that you must be under 49 years old. There are some exceptions to this age limit, such as applicants who demonstrate a high level of language proficiency in either English or French or demonstrate experience in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
