International Student Stream: Oinp's New Pathway

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) International Student Stream is a promising pathway for international students seeking permanent residence in Ontario. The program is designed for international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation, specifically categorized as TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). To qualify, applicants must have completed a degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized Canadian educational institution and received a full-time, permanent job offer in a skilled occupation. The OINP uses a points-based ranking system to assess Expressions of Interest (EOI) submitted by candidates, and the application process involves submitting extensive personal information and supporting documentation.

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OINP: Obtaining PR in Ontario

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Application requirements

The OINP's International Student Stream is a promising pathway for international students seeking permanent residence in Ontario. Here are the detailed application requirements for this stream:

• Education Credentials: Applicants must have completed a degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognised post-secondary institution in Ontario or Canada. They must meet all the requirements of their chosen academic program. International students can submit a letter from their academic institution indicating when their degree, diploma, or certificate will be granted.
• Job Offer: A full-time and permanent job offer from an Ontario employer is required. The job must meet the provincial wage and employment standards and be classified under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) as Type/Level 0, A, or B, or TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) Category 0, 1, 2, or 3. The job offer must be effective from the date of nomination by the OINP.
• Employer Criteria: The employer must have been in active business for at least three years and have business premises in Ontario. They must also comply with the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Application Process: Applicants must first create a profile in the OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system. They will be scored based on various criteria, and those who meet the threshold will be invited to apply. The application must be submitted online through the OINP e-Filing Portal within the specified timeframe.
• Supporting Documents: The application must include extensive personal information and supporting documents, such as official transcripts, diplomas, job offer letters, employer forms, and proof of legal status in Canada. A passport photograph and a copy of the passport's personal details page are also required. An application fee of $1,500 is applicable.
• Nomination and Permanent Residence: If the OINP approves the application, the applicant receives a provincial nomination. They can then apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent resident status, which makes the final decision.

Job offer criteria

The OINP's Employer Job Offer: International Student stream is a promising pathway for international students seeking permanent residence in Ontario. It is designed for international students with a full-time, permanent job offer in a skilled occupation, specifically categorised as TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

To qualify under the International Student Stream, the job offer must meet several criteria. Firstly, the position must be full-time, requiring a minimum of 1,560 hours per year and 30 hours of paid work per week, and it must be permanent, with no end date. Seasonal or contract-based job offers are ineligible. Secondly, the job offer must be made by an employer who meets specific criteria. The employer must have been in active business for at least three years, have business premises in Ontario, and have no outstanding orders against them under relevant employment and health and safety legislation. Additionally, the employer must meet specific revenue requirements based on the location of work and hire a minimum number of full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

To apply for the International Student Stream, applicants must first create a profile in the OINP Expression of Interest system. Once registered, applicants are scored based on various criteria and may receive an invitation to apply. If invited to apply, applicants must submit specific documents to support each scoring factor. These documents may include official transcripts, diplomas, job offer letters, employer forms, and proof of legal status in Canada.

It is important to note that work experience is not a mandatory criterion under this stream, making it suitable for recent graduates. However, applicants must hold a degree or diploma from a Canadian institution completed within the past two years and should preferably have completed more than half of their studies in Canada.

Employer criteria

The OINP's International Student Stream is a promising pathway for international students seeking permanent residence in Ontario. It is one of three streams under the OINP's Job Offer category, alongside the Foreign Worker Stream and the In-Demand Skills Stream.

To qualify under the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream, the employer must meet the following criteria:

• The employer must have been in active business for at least three years before submitting the application.
• They must have a business premises in Ontario where the applicant will work.
• There should be no outstanding orders against the employer under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000, or the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• The employer must first register their business in the Employer Portal and provide information about the applicant's employment position by creating a job offer.
• The job offer must be for a full-time and permanent position. Full-time means a minimum of 1,560 hours per year and a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week.
• The job offer must meet the entry-level wage levels in Ontario for that occupation.
• The position must not affect the employment of a person involved in a labour dispute.
• The employer must complete an Employer Form, which the international student applicant must submit with their application.
• The employer must provide support for the employee's application, including providing necessary documents such as official transcripts, diplomas, job offer letters, and proof of the applicant's legal status in Canada.
• The employer must notify the OINP of any changes to the applicant's personal information as outlined in the program guide.

It is important to note that self-employed professionals are not eligible under the OINP's Employer Job Offer: International Student stream. However, self-employed work experience may be eligible under other OINP streams.

Application process

The OINP's International Student Stream is a promising pathway for international students seeking permanent residence in Ontario. The application process for the OINP International Student Stream can be outlined as follows:

Step 1: Register in the OINP Expression of Interest System

Firstly, applicants must create a profile in the OINP Expression of Interest system. This can be done at any time. Once registered, applicants are entered into a selection pool and given a score based on various criteria.

Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply

The province of Ontario conducts draws from the pool of applicants and invites those who meet a certain threshold of points to apply to the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream.

Step 3: Submit an Application

Within 14 calendar days of receiving an invitation to apply, applicants must submit their application online through the OINP e-Filing Portal. Applications require extensive personal information and supporting documentation.

Step 4: Application Review

The OINP will review the application and notify the applicant of its decision. If the application is deemed incomplete, the application fee will be refunded. Applicants who believe the OINP's decision was made in error may request an internal review within 30 calendar days of receiving the decision (if residing in Canada) or within 60 calendar days if residing overseas.

Step 5: Receive Provincial Nomination

If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a formal provincial nomination from the province of Ontario.

Step 6: Submit Federal Application for Permanent Residence

With a provincial nomination in hand, applicants are now eligible to submit an application to the federal government for permanent residence. This application is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.

It is important to note that the application process may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances of each applicant, and it is always recommended to review all program criteria and eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

After nomination

If you are nominated by the OINP, you will obtain a Letter of Nomination (Nomination Approval Letter, a work permit support letter, and a Confirmation of Nomination). You can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence through the paper-based application process.

A nomination from Ontario significantly strengthens your application by confirming the province's support. Supporting documentation includes official transcripts, diplomas, job offer letters, employer forms, and proof of legal status in Canada.

You will need to provide the OINP with an electronic copy of the ECA report when you submit your online application. The report cannot be more than five years old at the time you submit your application.

The OINP must be notified of any changes to the applicant's personal information as outlined in the program guide. If you believe the OINP's decision was made in error, you may request an internal review of the application within 30 calendar days of receiving the notice of the decision (if residing in Canada) or within 60 calendar days if residing overseas. The request must not include any evidence that was not submitted to the program before the decision was made unless the evidence was not reasonably available at the time of applying. The OINP's internal review decision is final.

With a provincial nomination, candidates are eligible to submit an application to the federal government for permanent resident status. This application will include extensive personal information and supporting documentation—similar to the application for provincial nomination. Notably, the Employer Job Offer streams are not aligned with Canada's Express Entry system, meaning that applications are processed more slowly. Applicants should be prepared to wait more than one year for applications to be processed.

Frequently asked questions