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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Ontario is the most popular Canadian province and the top landing destination for newcomers from around the world. It is home to about 40% of all Canadians. The province features Ottawa, the capital city of Ontario, and Toronto, the largest city in Ontario. It serves as the central hub for Canada’s economy, political activities, and social life.

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) is the official Provincial Nominee Program of Ontario. Through Esse India’s expert guidance, aspiring immigrants with in-demand skills and work experience can secure a provincial nomination certificate via OINP. This nomination helps them apply successfully for Canada permanent residence. Many applicants trust Esse India for complete OINP support and documentation.

OINP accepts applications under the following categories:

  • Ontario Express Entry
  • Human Capital Priorities Stream
  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
  • Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream
  • General Category (also known as Employer Job Offer Category):
    • Foreign Workers with a Job Offer Stream
    • Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream

Here is the status of the OINP Immigration Streams:

OINP StreamStatus
Human Capital Priorities StreamExpected to open and close intermittently throughout 2018
French-Speaking Skilled Worker StreamOpen
Skilled Trades StreamOpen
Foreign Workers StreamOpen
In-Demand Skills StreamOpen

Ontario Express Entry

Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCPS)

Through this Stream, OINP nominates the eligible candidates from the Federal Express Entry Pool who have the required skills in factors such as education, language ability, skilled work experience, and other factors to economically establish and settle down in Ontario.

To get qualified, candidates must qualify for the federal Express Entry pool of IRCC, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, through the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Candidates must first receive an NOI (Notification of Interest) from OINP on the basis of their Express Entry Profile.

OINP select the candidates for sending NOI who:

  1. Meet the minimum CRS requirement in IRCC�s Express Entry Stream; and
  2. Meet Human Capital Priorities Stream of the province.

Once the candidates get the NOI from OINP, then they will get the invitation for online application to OINP under Human Capital Priorities Stream. The selected candidates will have 45 calendar days to apply to OINP under this stream.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must:

  1. A minimum work experience required.
    • Candidates under Federal Skilled Worker Program criteria must have a minimum of one year of full-time and continuous experience, or part-time equivalent in a NOC level 0, A, or B occupations in the last five years prior to the NOI date from OINP.
    • Candidates under Canadian Experience Class criteria must have a minimum of one year of full-time/part-time equivalent experience in occupations with NOC 0, A, or B in the last three years prior to NOI date from OINP.
  2. Have educational degrees (Bachelor�s, Master�s, or Ph.D.) or an ECA- Educational Credential Assessment report produced by the designated organization.
  3. Demonstrate a language ability test result in French/English with CLB 7 or more in all four components reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
  4. Demonstrate their intention to live in the province, and must have sufficient funds to settle in Ontario.
  5. Have a minimum CRS score as determined by the director under the Express Entry System; and
  6. Meet the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class additional criteria as mentioned below.

Additional Criteria under Federal Skilled Worker Class

  1. Candidates applying under the HCPS through the Federal Skilled Worker Class must score 67 points based on the six selection factors of IRCC: education, age, work experience, adaptability, arranged employment in Canada, and English/French language skills, in addition to the minimum eligibility needs as mentioned above.

Additional Criteria under Canadian Experience Class

  1. Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time/part-time equivalent paid work experience in Canada with NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the last 3 years prior to application;
  2. Demonstrate the minimum language eligibility requirement of CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs, or CLB 5 for jobs with NOC B;
  3. Must plan to live outside Quebec; and
  4. Candidate must be admissible to Canada.

Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (FSSWS)

The French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream of Ontario is for the French-Speaking Skilled workers who have strong language abilities in English and who want to work and live in Ontario permanently. This stream allows OINP to nominate the eligible candidates from the Express Entry Pool with required education, language abilities, skilled work experience, and other characteristics which can help in establishing and integrating the Labour market and communities of Ontario.

Candidates must qualify for IRCC Federal Express Entry pool through either Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC). They cannot apply directly. They first have to receive an NOI from OINP on the basis of their Express Entry profile. OINP will search for the potential candidates who meet the required criteria, from the Express Entry Pool of Candidates.

Candidates will then be invited to apply for OINP under the FSSWS. They will have 45 calendar days to apply for OINP and they will be notified if their application gets approved.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must:

  1. Demonstrate language proficiency in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) in French and English both. The CLB level for French is 7 and for English is 6. Candidates must provide the language test results from IELTS (General test for English), CELPIP (General Test for English), or TEF (French Test);
  2. Have a minimum work experience level;
    • If assessed under FSWC, then the candidates must have at least one year of full-time/part-time equivalent continuous work experience in a NOC level 0, A, or B in the last five years prior to NOI date from OINP.
    • If assessed under the CEC, then the candidates must have a minimum of one year of cumulative, full-time/part-time equivalent work experience in NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the last three years prior to NOI date from OINP.
  3. Have an ECA (Educational Canadian Assessment) report, or a Canadian Bachelors��, Masters� or Ph.D. degree by a designated organization;
  4. Demonstrate sufficient funds to support residency in Ontario; and
  5. Have the good intention to live in Ontario demonstrated by an intent statement, and an indication of ties with Ontario.

In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements as mentioned above, candidates must meet the additional criteria mentioned below to be eligible under this stream

Additional Criteria under Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)

  1. Candidates applying under the FSSWS through the FSWC must score 67 points based on the six selection factors of IRCC: education, age, work experience, adaptability, arranged employment in Canada, and English and/or French language skills, in addition to the minimum eligibility needs as mentioned above.

Additional Criteria under Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

  1. Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time/part-time equivalent cumulative paid work experience in Canada with NOC level 0, A, or B occupation in the last 3 years prior to application;
  2. Demonstrate the minimum language eligibility requirement of CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs, or CLB 5 for jobs with NOC B;
  3. Must demonstrate the intention to reside in Ontario;
  4. Must plan to live outside Quebec; and
  5. Candidate must be admissible to Canada.

Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream

OINP�s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream allows Ontario to target skilled trades� workers with employment experience in an eligible trade to reside permanently in Ontario through the Federal Express Entry system.

Candidates will get an additional 600 points towards their CRS score which will guarantee an ITA to Canada PR in subsequent draws from the pool.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates interested in being eligible under OINP�s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream must:

  1. Have a valid Expression of Interest profile in the Federal Express Entry Pool;
  2. Be eligible for CEC;
  3. Have received an NOI from Ontario through the online account of IRCC; and
  4. Demonstrate an interest in immigrating to Ontario or all provinces/territories as designated in the EOI profile.

Provincial Criteria

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, candidates must also meet the provincial criteria as mentioned below:

  1. Language: CLB 5 in French/English. This must be proved by language efficiency test results.
  2. Work Experience: a minimum of 1 year of full-time/part-time equivalent work experience in the province in the last 2 years from the NOI date from OINP. The experience must be in a skilled trade occupation as listed in Major Group 72, 73, or 82, or Minor Group 633 if the NOC system.
  3. Current Residence: Must be residing currently in Ontario on a valid work permit.
  4. Trade Certification (if required): A Trade license/certification from the College of Trades of Ontario is required in case the candidate is working or worked in an occupation that requires license/certification in Ontario.
  5. Intent: Must have the intention to reside in Ontario.
  6. Funds: Must demonstrate sufficient funds for settlement in Ontario.

Employer Job Offer Category (General Category)

The Employer Job Offer category under Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) enables Ontario employers to recruit skilled foreign workers for positions classified under NOC skill level 0, A, or B. Candidates can apply whether they are currently living in Canada or abroad.

Foreign Workers with Job Offers

Both the employer and the foreign national must meet strict eligibility criteria to receive the provincial nomination certificate through this OINP stream. Eligible employers submit a dedicated Employer Form along with the foreign worker’s application. Esse India experts recommend thorough preparation to strengthen your OINP Employer Job Offer application.

Minimum Requirements for Foreign Nationals

To qualify as a foreign worker under the OINP Employer Job Offer General Category, applicants must satisfy these key conditions:

  • Possess a minimum of 2 years of verifiable and paid full-time work experience in the intended occupation (in Canada or abroad) within the last five years, or hold appropriate registration/certification in Ontario for regulated professions.
  • Secure a full-time and permanent job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC level 0, A, or B) from an eligible Ontario employer who is also applying under this category.
  • Be living, working, or visiting Canada on a valid study permit, work permit, or visitor record — or residing abroad at the time of application.

Minimum Requirements for Employers

Employers must fulfill these mandatory requirements to participate in the OINP Employer Job Offer stream:

  • Operate an active business for at least three years.
  • Maintain business premises in Ontario where the nominated foreign worker will actually work.
  • Demonstrate genuine recruitment efforts if the candidate currently lives abroad, visits Canada, or works in another Canadian province/territory.
  • Comply with all applicable Ontario labour laws, including health & safety standards, employment standards, and labour relations legislation.
  • For employers located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
    • Show minimum gross revenue of $1,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
    • Employ at least five full-time permanent Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the work location.
  • For employers located outside the GTA:
    • Show minimum gross revenue of $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
    • Employ at least three full-time permanent Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the work location.

Esse India helps both employers and foreign talent navigate the OINP Employer Job Offer process smoothly with expert guidance and documentation support. Many applicants trust Esse India for accurate eligibility assessment and complete application filing.

Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream

Through the Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream, Ontario targets the workers in particular construction and agricultural occupations. This stream offers an opportunity to the foreign workers who have a job offer in a targeted trade, to live & work in Ontario permanently. It helps them establish & integrate into the labour market and communities of Ontario.

Candidates interested under this stream can only apply if they have received a full-time permanent job offer from an employer in Ontario, meet all specified eligibility criteria, and a complete employer form by the prospective employer.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants under this stream must have a job offer signed by them and an Ontario�s employer that meets the following criteria:

  1. Must have a full-time and permanent job offer in an eligible occupation;
  2. Must meet the wage requirement for the eligible occupation. The employer needs to meet the general requirements and pay a wage equal to or higher than the current wage, if the applicant is currently working in an occupation.

The job must be among the following occupations in NOC level C or D:

NOC CodeOccupation
7441Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers
7521Heavy Equipment Operators (except crane)
7611Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
8431General Farm Workers
8432Nursery and Greenhouse Workers
8611Harvesting Labourers
9462Industrial Butchers, Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers, Related Workers
Minimum Requirements for Foreign Workers
  1. Education: must have completed Canadian Secondary School or equivalent or high demonstrated by a valid Educational Credential Assessment.
  2. Language: demonstrate language proficiency in French/English with CLB 4 or above in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
  3. Work Experience: one year of cumulative work experience in the province within the last 3 years prior to the application date to OINP. It must be a paid and full-time/part-time equivalent work experience in the province and must be from the eligible occupation as listed above.
  4. Valid Certification/License: must have a valid license or certificate at the time of applying for any work experience in an occupation that requires the licensing or certification.
  5. Settlement Funds: must have sufficient funds to cover the settlement costs in Ontario.
Minimum Requirements for Employers
  1. Must be active business for at least three years.
  2. Must have business provinces in the province where the applicant will work.
  3. Must comply with all the labour laws of the province, including employment standards, labour relations legislation, and health and safety.
  4. If the applicant works in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), then the employer must:
    • Have a minimum gross revenue of $1,000,000 for the most recent fiscal year; and
    • Have a minimum of five full-time permanent employees who are citizens/permanent residents of Canada at the location where the applicant will work.
  5. If the applicant works outside the GTA, then the employer must:
    • Have a minimum gross revenue of $500,000 for the most recent fiscal year; and
    • Have a minimum of three full-time permanent employees who are citizens/permanent residents of Canada at the location where the applicant will work.
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