Ontario is Canada’s most popular landing destination for immigrants from around the world.

As Canada’s most populous province, nearly 40 percent of Canadians call Ontario home. Ontario is also home to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. In many ways, Ontario is the center of Canada’s economic, social, and political life.

The OINP accepts applications under the following immigration categories:

• Ontario Express Entry
  • Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream
  • Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
• General Category (sometimes referred to as Employer Category)
  • Foreign Workers with a Job Offer Stream
• International Student Category
  • International Students with a Job Offer Stream
  • International Students – Masters Graduate Stream
  • International Students – PhD Graduate Stream
• Business Category
  • Entrepreneur Stream
  • Corporate Stream
  • Investors Category (discontinued)

Current Status of OINP Immigration Streams

In May 2016, Ontario announced its decision to temporarily pause the intake of applications for select, high-volume OINP streams. Potential applicants should note that lower-volume OINP streams remain open and continue to accept applications.

The following table provides details on the current status of each OINP immigration stream.

Ontario Express Entry

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

There is a temporary pause on Notifications of Interest (NOIs) being sent under the Human Capital Priorities Stream as of February 16, 2016.

This stream enables the OINP to nominate individuals who are eligibile to enter the federal Express Entry pool and who have the required education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.

Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is for French-Speaking skilled workers who have strong English language abilities and who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. This stream enables the OINP to nominate individuals in the Express Entry pool and who have the required education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities.

General Category

As of May 9, 2016, there is a temporary pause on the intake of applications to the Employer Pre-screen application process. Foreign skilled workers with job offers that have already been approved by the OINP may continue to submit a Nominee Application.

Through this category, Ontario employers are able to recruit foreign workers for approved skilled positions (classified by the Government of Canada as NOC Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B). These employees may be living abroad or in Canada at the time of application.

International Student Category

As of May 9, 2016, there is a temporary pause in effect on new applications to the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams. The International Student with a Job Offer Stream remains open to eligible candidates whose job offer has already been approved through the Employer Pre-screen application process.

This category is for students from abroad. The International Students category accepts applications under the following three streams:

International Student with a Job Offer Stream

This stream was created to help employers recruit international students. It is open to Ontario employers and students with job offers in the province.

International Masters Graduate Stream

This stream targets individuals who have graduated with a Master’s degree from one of Ontario’s publicly funded universities. A job offer is not required.

International PhD Graduate Stream

This stream targets individuals who have graduated from a PhD program at one of Ontario’s publicly funded universities. A job offer is not required.

Business Category

Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is designed to attract individuals who are looking to implement a new business initiative or buy an existing business in Ontario. Successful applicants will obtain a temporary work permit support letter – based on a performance agreement – to establish the business in Ontario. If the investment and job creation agreements outlined in the performance agreement are adhered to, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to be nominated for Canadian permanent resident status.

Corporate Stream

This stream aims to help and support established international corporations looking to expand into Ontario or buy an existing business. Once the business has been successfully established, key staff are eligible to apply for a provincial nomination certificate, allowing them to eventually become permanent residents of Canada.

Investors Stream

As of October 29, 2015, the OINP Investors Stream is closed and no longer accepting applications.

This stream allows companies that are making an investment in Ontario to recruit or retain important employees by allowing those employees to immigrate to Canada, thus ensuring the success of the company’s investment. Applicant employees should be integral to the functioning of the company.