Live, work and settle permanently in Canada through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) & other PR pathways.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario’s official provincial immigration pathway that allows the province to nominate skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs for Canadian permanent residence. As Canada’s most populated and economically powerful province, Ontario attracts thousands of immigrants every year through the OINP.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program operates under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Through this program, Ontario selects foreign nationals whose skills, education, and work experience match the province’s labor market needs in sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, and skilled trades.
The OINP offers multiple immigration streams, some of which are aligned with the federal Express Entry system, while others operate independently. Applicants can apply through two primary routes:
These streams are connected to the federal Express Entry system. Candidates nominated by Ontario receive 600 additional CRS points, which significantly increases the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
These streams function independently of Express Entry. Applicants must first receive a provincial nomination from Ontario and then apply for permanent residence through the federal government. Processing times for these streams are generally longer.
Ontario offers several targeted OINP streams to meet its economic and workforce requirements:
An Express Entry–aligned stream for skilled professionals with strong education, work experience, and language skills. No job offer is required, making it highly attractive to Express Entry candidates.
This stream is designed for candidates with strong French language abilities and good English proficiency, supporting Ontario’s Francophone immigration objectives.
For candidates with recent work experience in eligible skilled trades occupations and an active Express Entry profile.
These streams require a valid job offer from an Ontario employer and include:
This stream is for experienced business owners and senior executives who wish to establish, purchase, or manage a business in Ontario.
Eligibility criteria vary by stream, but common requirements include:
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination, as selections are based on Ontario’s labor market priorities.
No, a job offer is not mandatory for all OINP streams. The Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams do not require a job offer. However, employer-driven streams require a valid job offer from an Ontario-based employer.
The OINP offers several advantages for immigration applicants:
Processing times vary depending on the selected stream:
These timelines include both provincial nomination and federal permanent residence processing.
The OINP is ideal for:
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is one of the strongest pathways to Canadian permanent residency. With multiple immigration streams, flexible eligibility criteria, and access to Canada’s largest economy, Ontario continues to attract skilled professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world.
By selecting the most suitable OINP stream and aligning your profile with Ontario’s labor market needs, you can significantly improve your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.