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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program – OINP
Post Credit – Bala Venkatesh
In this blog, we will look into Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and its different streams that are available for prospective immigration aspirants.
In 2020, Ontario received an allocation of 7,350 plus an additional 250 nominations for temporary foreign workers in intermediate skilled occupations (NOC Skill Level C).
Different Types of Streams available under OINP:
There is a total of 9 different streams in OINP out of which the 1, 2, 3 streams in the following list are based on Express Entry Profile, which means that one does not need to apply to OINP to get an invitation for this stream, rather Ontario picks these profiles from the Express Entry pool based on their specific selection criteria.
1. Human Capital Priorities Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that you must have your Express Entry Profile (IELTS CLB 7 & Evaluated ECA Report (Canadian Bachelors’ Equivalency is the minimum requirement)) created along with the Intention to Reside option selected as “Ontario” or “All Provinces and Territories”
b) Your CRS scores should be high and almost in tandem with that of federal draw cutoff scores happening around that time. It can range at the maximum 10-15 marks lesser than the federal draw cutoff
c) Your Primary NOC should be one among IT NOCs for TECH DRAW (0213, 2147, 2172, 2173, 2174, 2175) or Priority Occupations NOCs for GENERAL DRAW (0111, 0114, 0124, 1111, 1114, 1122, 3012, 3124, 3132) and you must have gained at least one year of continuous experience in the recent 5 years in your primary NOC. Ontario may choose to change these priority NOCs at any time depending on their labour market requirements,
Selection Procedure:
OINP conducts frequent draws for the above-mentioned stream over the year and issues approximately 7000 Notification of Interest (NOI). Once you receive NOI in your Express Entry Profile, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream for which you have received NOI, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (at the moment it is CAD 1500) within 45 calendar days. Typical Processing times for this stream is 60- 90 days but we have seen instances of issuing nomination in 19 days at the best-case scenario
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive a “Nomination Approval Letter” along with an option to Accept/Decline the Nomination within 30 days of receiving it. Once you accept the Nomination, 600 points will be awarded to you and hence you are guaranteed an ITA in the next upcoming federal draw
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-express-entry-human-capital-priorities-stream
2. French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that you must have your Express Entry Profile (TEF/TCF CLB 7 & IELTS CLB 6 & Evaluated ECA Report (Canadian Bachelors’ Equivalency is the minimum requirement)) created along with Intention to Reside option selected as “Ontario” or “All Provinces and Territories”
b) Your CRS scores is ranked among the french-speaking candidates and issued NOIs accordingly
c) You must have applied either in FSW or CEC federal program category and you must have possessed at least one year of continuous experience in the recent 5 years in your primary NOC
Selection Procedure:
OINP conducts frequent draws for the above-mentioned stream over the year and issues approximately 500 – 1700 Notification of Interest (NOI). Once you receive NOI in your Express Entry Profile, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream for which you have received NOI, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (at the moment it is CAD 1500) within 45 calendar days. Typical processing times for this stream is 30-90 days but we have seen instances of issuing nomination sooner also
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive a “Nomination Approval Letter” along with an option to “Accept/Decline the Nomination” within 30 days of receiving it. Once you accept the Nomination, 600 points will be awarded to you and hence you are guaranteed an ITA in the next upcoming federal draw
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-express-entry-french-speaking-skilled-worker-stream
3. Skilled Trades Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that you must have your Express Entry Profile (TEF/TCF CLB 5 or IELTS CLB 5) created along with the Intention to Reside option selected as “Ontario” or “All Provinces and Territories”
b) Your CRS scores are ranked among the skilled trades candidates and issued NOIs accordingly
c) at least one year of cumulative (need not be continuous) paid full-time work experience (or the equivalent in paid part-time work) in Ontario in a skilled trade that is listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Groups 72, 73 or 82 of the NOC in the recent 2 years, in one or more of the NOCs mention in Express Entry Profile, MUST live in Ontario while maintaining legal status in Canada
Selection Procedure:
OINP conducts frequent draws for the above-mentioned stream over the year and issues approximately 1500 Notification of Interest (NOI). Once you receive NOI in your Express Entry Profile, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream for which you have received NOI, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (at the moment it is CAD 1500) within 45 calendar days. Typical Processing times for this stream is 30-60 days but we have seen instances of issuing nomination sooner also
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive a “Nomination Approval Letter” along with an option to “Accept/Decline the Nomination” within 30 days of receiving it. Once you accept the Nomination, 600 points will be awarded to you and hence you are guaranteed an ITA in the next upcoming federal draw
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-express-entry-skilled-trades-stream
4. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that any foreign worker (either in or outside Canada) in specific in-demand occupations, such as in agriculture, construction, trucking or personal support work
b) Three mandatory requirements are applicable here: Job Offer Requirements, Employer Requirements, Applicant Requirements. Keeping the brevity of this post in the mind, please see the requirements in the “Reference” section below
Selection Procedure:
This stream is open throughout the year and in order to apply, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (at the moment it is CAD 1500 if the job offer is outside GTA and CAD 2000 if the job offer is within GTA) within 14 calendar days after you have registered with the One-Key portal otherwise your registration will get expired. Then you can re-register. Typical Processing times for this stream is 60-90 days
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive “Nomination Approval Letter” and “Nomination Certificate” using which you need to apply for PR (Paper Process) in ICCRC within 6 months
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-employer-job-offer-demand-skills-stream
5. Ph.D. Graduate Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that you must have completed the requirements necessary to obtain a Ph.D. degree. The degree must be from an eligible university in Ontario. You can check the eligible universities listed in the reference link below and at least two years of your Ph.D. studies must have been completed while legally living and studying in Ontario
b) You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one year(can be cumulative but must add up to one year within the past two years) in the past two years before you apply
c) You must submit the application under this stream within two years of completing the requirements necessary to obtain your Ph.D. degree. For Example, the date on your degree must be within two years of your OINP application submission date. Finally, you must have completed your Ph.D. Degree before the file submission
Selection Procedure:
This stream is open throughout the year and in order to apply, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (CAD 1500). Typical Processing times for this stream is 30-60 days
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive “Nomination Approval Letter” and “Nomination Certificate” using which you need to apply for PR (Paper Process) in ICCRC within 6 months
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-phd-graduate-stream
6. Masters Graduate Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that you must have completed the Master’s degree which means at least one academic year of full-time study (that is at least 15 hours of instruction per week over the academic year including any period of training in the workplace as part of your studies. Part-time studies may qualify, if the program is equivalent to at least one full-time academic year). The degree must be from an eligible university in Ontario. You can check the eligible universities list in the reference link below
b) You don’t qualify if you are enrolled as a student when you are applying, unless: it is for the purpose of meeting the requirements to be licensed in a regulated occupation in Ontario, or you are also working full-time in Ontario
c) You must submit the application under this stream within two years of completing the requirements necessary to obtain your Master’s degree. For Example, the date on your degree must be within two years of your OINP application submission date. Finally, you must have completed your Master’s Degree before the file submission
Selection Procedure:
This stream is open only for a specific time period and OINP will update when they are going to open this stream for accepting the applications. Once they reach the threshold of applicants after opening the window, they will close the stream. In order to apply, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (CAD 1500). Typical Processing times for this stream is 30-60 days
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive “Nomination Approval Letter” and “Nomination Certificate” using which you need to apply for PR (Paper Process) in ICCRC within 6 months
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-masters-graduate-stream
7. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that any foreign worker (either in or outside Canada) with a job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC can apply
b) Three mandatory requirements are applicable here: Job Offer Requirements, Employer Requirements, Applicant Requirements. Keeping the brevity of this post in the mind, please see the requirements in the “Reference” section below
Selection Procedure:
This stream is open only for a specific time period and OINP will update when they are going to open this stream for accepting the applications. Once they reach the threshold of applicants after opening the window, they will close the stream. In order to apply, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (at the moment it is CAD 1500 if a job offer is outside GTA and CAD 2000 if the job offer is within GTA) within 14 calendar days after you have registered with the One-Key portal otherwise your registration will get expired. Then you can re-register. Typical Processing times for this stream is 90-120 days
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive “Nomination Approval Letter” and “Nomination Certificate” using which you need to apply for PR (Paper Process) in ICCRC within 6 months
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-employer-job-offer-foreign-worker-stream
8. Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that any international students (in and outside of Canada) with a job offer in a skilled occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC can apply
b) Three mandatory requirements are applicable here: Job Offer Requirements, Employer Requirements, Applicant Requirements. Keeping the brevity of this post in the mind, please see the requirements in the “Reference” section below
c) You must submit your application within two years of completing the requirements necessary to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate (also known as your education credential). For example, if your degree, diploma or certificate is dated June 1 2017, you must apply to this stream before June 1, 2019.
Selection Procedure:
This stream is open only for a specific time period and OINP will update when they are going to open this stream for accepting the applications. Once they reach the threshold of applicants after opening the window, they will close the stream. In order to apply, you must create an account with OINP One-Key Portal, select the corresponding stream, prepare your application, pay the necessary fees (at the moment it is CAD 1500) within 14 calendar days after you have registered with the One-Key portal otherwise your registration will get expired. Then you can re-register. Typical Processing times for this stream is 60-90 days
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive “Nomination Approval Letter” and “Nomination Certificate” using which you need to apply for PR (Paper Process) in ICCRC within 6 months
References:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/oinp-employer-job-offer-international-student-stream
9. Entrepreneur Stream:
Eligibility Criteria:
a) One of the basic requirements in this stream is that any entrepreneurs from outside of Canada interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario can apply. It gives an entrepreneur (and up to one foreign national business partner) the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in Ontario
b) Two-stage process is applicable here: Expression of Interest, Establish your business. Keeping the brevity of this post in the mind, please see the requirements in the “Reference” section below
Selection Procedure:
Online EOI (Expression Of Interest) using OINP One-Key is currently unavailable. So, to register your EOI, please follow the below steps: contact the OINP by email (business.immigration@ontario.ca) to express your interest in participating in the Entrepreneur stream and to request a copy of the EOI registration form. Once received, complete the EOI registration form. Submit the completed form by email to business.immigration@ontario.ca. If you are selected, OINP will send you (or your representative) an email inviting you to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. You have 90 calendar days to submit your online application from the date of your invitation to apply. The application fee is CAD 3,500 for you and CAD 3,500 for your business partner (if applicable). The typical processing time for assessing EOI is less than 30 days and the application is based on the application’s complexity
Final Outcome:
Once your OINP application gets approved, you will receive “Nomination Approval Letter” and “Nomination Certificate” using which you need to apply for PR (Paper Process) in ICCRC within 6 months
References: