Ontario PNP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program or Ontario PNP enables skilled foreign nationals who wish to live and work in Ontario to obtain an Ontario Provincial Nomination Certificate, which allows them to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. Home to Niagara Falls, Ontario PNP is the center of Canada’s economic, social, and political life. Ontario Immigration gives access to individuals and families to a multicultural and diverse Province of people from 200 different countries who speak more than 125 languages.
Two Ways to Get Nominated
Choose the nomination path that works best for your situation
Direct Application to OINP
- 1. Contact Immigration Ontario and apply for OINP directly
- 2. Receive provincial nomination from Ontario
- 3. Create Canada Express Entry profile and add your Ontario PNP nomination credentials
Through Express Entry System
- 1. Create an Express Entry profile first
- 2. Register your interest in Ontario within the system
- 3. Ontario PNP may contact you and formally invite you to apply
Get 600 Additional CRS Points
Once you receive an Ontario PNP nomination, your certificate can be transferred through Express Entry, instantly increasing your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by 600 points.
Ontario PNP Categories
Explore the different immigration streams available through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program
Foreign Worker Employer Job Offer Stream
Designed for skilled foreign workers with a job offer from an employer in Ontario.
Applicant Requirements
Work Experience: Two years of work experience in their respective occupation within the past five years
Registration: Appropriate registration in the province if working in a regulated occupation
Work Experience Type: Paid and verifiable work experience
Job Offer: A permanent, full-time job offer in a skilled occupation from an Ontario employer
Skilled work experience includes:
Legal Status: Must have legal status if living in Canada during application
Required Forms: A signed Joint Verification form and Pre-Screen Position form by the employer
Employer Requirements
Submit an application that needs to be approved by Opportunities Ontario and must remain valid until the applicant’s application is approved
Have an active business for at least three years
Meet revenue and employee requirements:
Greater Toronto Area: Gross revenue of at least $1,000,000 with at least 5 permanent full-time employees
Outside GTA: Gross revenue of at least $500,000 with at least 3 permanent full-time employees
Offer a job that is located inside the province of Ontario
Job Offer Requirements
Be a permanent, full-time position
Meet the wage levels for the respective position in Ontario
Not affect the settlement of any labour dispute the company or its employees are involved in
Not have a negative affect on the employment or training opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents
Offer a position that is necessary for the operation of the company
International Students Category
The International Students Category is designed for international students with a Master’s degree or PhD obtained in Canada who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. There are three streams within this category.
Pilot International Masters Graduate Stream applicants
- Intend to live and work in Ontario
- Be a graduate of a Master’s program from a publicly funded University in Ontario
- Have completed one academic year on a full-time basis
- Submit the application no later than two years from the date of completion of the Masters degree, OR submit during your last semester of study
- Be currently residing in Ontario with legal status
- Be proficient in English and/or French
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents
- Have resided in Ontario for at least one full year during the past two years
International PhD Students Stream
Must meet one of the following education requirements:
• Have graduated from an existing PhD program at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario
• Successfully completed all degree requirements for such a program (and are awaiting their degree)
• Have at least two years of completed PhD studies at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario
- Application must be submitted no later than two years from the date the PhD was received
- Be currently residing in Ontario with legal status
Be proficient in English and/or French
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents
International Student with a Job Offer Stream
- Have completed at least half of their studies in Canada, OR must have already graduated or be graduating from a publicly funded college or university in Canada
Education requirement – One of:
• Completed a two-year degree or diploma program on a full-time basis from Canada or abroad
• Completed a one-year post-graduate degree or certificate program
- Have a permanent, full-time job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC Levels 0, A, or B)
- The employer must submit an application to Opportunities Ontario. The offer must be approved and remain valid
- A Joint Verification form and Pre-Screen Position form are required from the employer
- Submit the application no later than two years after receiving the Canadian degree or diploma, OR as early as the last semester of studies
- Have legal status of living in Canada
Business Stream
Ontario Corporate Stream
- The corporation must invest $5 million or more in the new or existing Ontario PNP business
- Five permanent, full-time jobs must be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each OINP nomination made under this category
- Employees must be employed by the corporation and be key to the operation of the company in Ontario
- Nominated staff members have 24 months to demonstrate minimum English language requirements
- The international business must be well established with a proven track record over the past 36 months or longer
Note: Before being nominated for Canada PR status, key employees can obtain two-year Temporary Work Permits from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to build the business in Ontario.
Ontario Entrepreneur Stream
Investment Requirements:
Outside GTA: Minimum investment of $500,000 CAD
Greater Toronto Area: Minimum investment of $1,000,000 CAD (unless business is in digital media or ICT sectors – then $500,000 CAD)
Business partners must also make the same minimum investment
Net Worth Requirements:
Outside GTA: Minimum net worth of $800,000 CAD
Greater Toronto Area: Minimum net worth of $1,500,000 CAD (unless business is in digital media or ICT sectors – then $800,000 CAD)
Create two permanent, full-time employment positions for Canadian permanent residents or citizens
The entrepreneur has 24 months to satisfy minimum program requirements to receive a Canada PR nomination
Must have a minimum of 3 years of senior management or business ownership experience in the past 5 years
Ontario Business Program for Corporations
Designed to give companies that make an investment in Ontario the ability to recruit and retain important employees, allowing them to immigrate to Canada.
Investment Requirements:
Must receive official endorsement from another Ontario ministry at the Deputy Minister level
Amount of investment must be at least $3,000,000 CAD
Must create at least five permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents
Must comply with Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
The applicant (key employee) must:
Be actively involved in the management of the business
Control at least 33.3% of the business’s equity, OR make a minimum of $1 million CAD investment
Not have the option of redeeming investment after a certain period
Invest capital in the business (not for deriving interest, dividends, or capital gains)
Be integral to the functioning of the company
Human Capital
Human Capital Priorities Stream
Education: One of the following:
• A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree from Canada
• An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report indicating foreign education meets Canadian standards
Language: Proficient in English and/or French at a language level of
Must provide results of a standardised language test recognized by the Government of Ontario
Work Experience: Minimum of 12 months continuous full-time employment (or equivalent part-time) in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the five years prior to Ontario Nomination of Interest
CRS Score: A Canada Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score of 400 points or greater, which must remain throughout provincial and federal processing
The intention to live in Ontario
Have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents (provide proof through bank statements)
French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Education: One of the following:
• A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree from Canada
• An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report indicating foreign education meets Canadian standards
Language: Proficient in English and/or French at a language level of
Must provide results of a standardised language test recognized by the Government of Ontario
Work Experience: Minimum of 12 months continuous full-time employment (or equivalent part-time) in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the five years prior to Ontario Nomination of Interest
CRS Score: A Canada Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score of 400 points or greater, which must remain throughout provincial and federal processing
The intention to live in Ontario
Have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents (provide proof through bank statements)
Important Information
Key facts you should know about the Ontario PNP