ONTARIO IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAM

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
    • Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades 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)

ONTARIO EXPRESS ENTRY:

  1. HUMAN CAPITAL PRIORITIES STREAM

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream is designed for skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Ontario.

This stream enables the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to nominate individuals that have qualified for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) 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.

WHO CAN APPLY

To be eligible to apply under Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream, you must meet provincial and federal eligibility criteria. You will be assessed against both as part of the nomination process.

To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream, you must:

  1. Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool;
  2. Qualify for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)orthe Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
  3. Indicate an interest in immigrating to either Ontario or “All Provinces and Territories” when you create a profile in Express Entry;AND
  4. Have received a Notification of Interest from Ontario through your IRCC online account.

 

 

 

  1. ONTARIO HUMAN CAPITAL PRIORITIES STREAM CRITERIA

 

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following provincial criteria:

  • Work Experience: A minimum of either:
  • Education:Equivalent of a Canadian Bachelor’s degree or above
  • Language:A minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or in French
  • Settlement Funds:A minimum level of savings or income to support you and your family members
  • Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score:A minimum of 400 points in the CRS of IRCC’s Express Entry system.

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Step 1: CREATE AN ONLINE EXPRESS ENTRY PROFILE

  • You must create a profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system. Once you do, you will receive an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code (also known as Candidate Identifier Code). You will need these to submit your application to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
  • When you create a profile in Express Entry, you must indicate your interest in immigrating to either Ontario or “All Provinces and Territories.”
  • You must qualify for one of two IRCC economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Please see the Human Capital Priorities Stream Application Guide for more details, or visit theIRCC’s website for more details on Express Entry.  

Step 2: OINP IDENTIFIES CANDIDATES IN EXPRESS ENTRY POOL

  • OINP searches the Express Entry pool on a regular basis and identifies potential candidates who meet the Human Capital Priorities Stream criteria (see Section 2.0of the Human Capital Priorities Stream Application Guide for more information).
  • If OINP identifies you in the Express Entry pool, you will receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario through your IRCC online account. This notification will invite you to apply to OINP for nomination under the Human Capital Priorities Stream.

 

 

 

Step 3: APPLY TO OINP UNDER THE HUMAN CAPITAL PRIORITIES STREAM

 

  • To apply, you must submit your application through the OINP e-Filing Portaland ensure that you include all the required supporting documents.
  • All applicants must indicate which federal immigration program they wish to be assessed against: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
  • The application fee is $1,500. The fee covers the cost of processing your application and is non-refundable once you submit your application. Your fee must be paid online by credit card only (VISA or MasterCard) before your application can be submitted.
  • OINP will assess your nomination according to the Human Capital Priorities Stream eligibility criteria. Your application will also be assessed to ensure you meet the FSWP or CEC criteria.

 

Step 4: ACCEPT NOMINATION FROM ONTARIO AND APPLY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

  • If your application is approved by Ontario, you will receive a letter from OINP through your IRCC online account notifying you of your nomination. You have 30 calendar daysto accept the nomination from Ontario in the Express Entry system.
  • A nomination from Ontario will give you an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
  • Once you receive an invitation to apply from IRCC, you have 90 calendar days to submit your application for permanent residence to IRCC.

 

 

2.       ONTARIO’S EXPRESS ENTRY FRENCH-SPEAKING SKILLED WORKER STREAM

Ontario’s Express Entry 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 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to nominate individuals that have qualified for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) 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.

3.       ONTARIO’S EXPRESS ENTRY SKILLED TRADES STREAM

Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream is designed for skilled workers with work experience in an eligible skilled trade who want to live and work permanently in Ontario.

This stream enables the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to nominate individuals that have qualified for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool and who have the skilled work experience, skilled trades’ certification (if required), language ability, and other characteristics.

WHO CAN APPLY

To be eligible to apply under Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, you must meet provincial and federal eligibility criteria. You will be assessed against both as part of the nomination process.

To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, you must:

  1. Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool;
  2. Qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
  3. Indicate an interest in immigrating to either Ontario or “All Provinces and Territories” when you create a profile in Express Entry;AND
  4. Have received a Notification of Interest from Ontario through your IRCC online account.

 

Note: Receiving a Notification of Interest does not mean you qualify under the Skilled Trades Stream. Please consult Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Application Guide to ensure you meet both provincial and federal criteria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following provincial criteria:

  1. Work Experience:A minimum of 12 months of full-time (or the equivalent in part-time) work experience in Ontario within two years from the date of your Notification of Interest from Ontario. Work experience must be in a skilled trade occupation listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 73, or 82 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
  2. Trade Certification (if required): A trade license or certification from the Ontario College of Trades if working/have worked in an occupation in Ontario that requires a license or certification.
  3. Current Residence in Ontario: Currently residing in Ontarioon a valid work permit.
  4. Language:A minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or in French.
  5. Settlement Funds:A minimum level of savings or income to support you and your family members.
  6. Intent:An intention to live in Ontario.

Note: Refugee claimants with a pending application to remain in Canada are not eligible to apply to OINP. Refugee claimants whose claim has been rejected, abandoned, or withdrawn must exit Canada prior to applying to OINP. Refugee claimants may only apply to OINP once they have left Canada

HOW TO APPLY

 

Step 1: Create an online Express Entry profile

  • You must create a profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system. Once you do, you will receive an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code (also known as Candidate Identifier Code). You will need these to submit your application to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
  • When you create a profile in Express Entry, you must indicate your interest in immigrating to either Ontario or “All Provinces and Territories.”
  • You must qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Please see the Skilled Trades Stream Application Guide for more details, or visit IRCC’s website for more details on Express Entry.

Step 2: OINP identifies candidates in the Express Entry pool

  • OINP searches the Express Entry pool and identifies potential candidates who may meet the criteria of the Skilled Trades Stream (see Section 2.0of the Skilled Trades Stream Application Guide for more information).
  • If OINP identifies you in the Express Entry pool, you will receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario through your IRCC online account. This notification will indicate that you may apply to OINP for nomination under the Skilled Trades Stream.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Apply to OINP under the Skilled Trades Stream

  • After you receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario through your IRCC online account, you have 45 calendar daysto apply to OINP under Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream.
  • To apply, you must submit your application through the OINP e-Filing Portaland ensure that you include all the required supporting documents.
  • The application fee is $1,500. The fee covers the cost of processing your application and is non-refundable once you submit your application. Your fee must be paid online by credit card only (VISA or MasterCard) before your application can be submitted.
  • OINP will assess your nomination according to the Skilled Trades Stream eligibility criteria. Your application will also be assessed to ensure you meet the CEC criteria.

Step 4: Accept nomination from Ontario and apply for permanent residence

  • If your application is approved by Ontario, you will receive a letter from OINP through your IRCC online account notifying you of your nomination. You have 30 calendar daysto accept the nomination from Ontario in the Express Entry system.
  • A nomination from Ontario will give you an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
  • Once you receive an invitation to apply from IRCC, you have 90 calendar days to submit your application for permanent residence to IRCC.
  1. General Category (sometimes referred to as Employer Job Offer Category)
    1. Foreign Workers with a Job Offer Stream
    2. Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream

a).  FOREIGN WORKERS WITH A JOB OFFER STREAM

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers an opportunity for skilled foreign workers with a job offer to permanently live and work in Ontario.

Applicants can only apply if they have received a permanent full-time job offer from an Ontario employer and have a completed and signed Employer Form to upload as part of the application package.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible to apply for the Employer Job Offer Stream – Foreign Worker, at the time of your application you must have a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer that meets the following criteria:

  • Is a permanent and full-time job offer in a skilled occupation(NOC 0, A or B), and
  • Meets the prevailing wagelevels in Ontario for that occupation and region.
    • Note that foreign workers already working in the position must be paid a wage that is equal or greater than their current wage.

As a FOREIGN WORKER, you must also:

  • Have 2 years of relevant work experience in the intended occupation in the last 5 years immediately preceding the date of application submission. The work experience can be cumulative and must be in the same NOC as the intended occupation.
  • Have the relevant mandatory licensing in Ontario for a regulated occupation, if applicable.
  • Be residing abroad or residing, working or visiting Canada on a valid work permit, study permit or visitor record.

In addition, your Ontario EMPLOYER must meet the following criteria:

  • Have been in active businessfor at least 3 years.
  • Have business premises in Ontariowhere you will work.
  • Be in compliancewith all provincial labour laws, including but not limited to employment standards, health and safety, and labour relations legislation.
  • If you will be working inside of the Greater Toronto Area, your employer must have:
    • A minimum of $1,000,000 in gross annual revenuefor the most recent fiscal year, and
    • 5permanent full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (per position to be filled each calendar year) at the location where you will work.
  • If you will be working outside of the Greater Toronto Area, your employer must have:
    • A minimum of $500,000 in gross annual revenuefor the most recent fiscal year, and
    • 3permanent, full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (per position to be filled each calendar year) at the location where you will work.

Important: Definition of a “Permanent Full-Time Job Offer”

A permanent full-time job offer is an offer of employment with no end date and consisting of a minimum of 1,560 hours paid employment in a 12-month period with a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Note that the following are not considered permanent full-time positions even if they consist of 1,560 hours in a 12-month period:

  • Seasonal or part-time positions regardless of working hours,
  • Subcontractors, independent contractors, or agency workers,
  • Employees who have ownership in the business and
  • Positions that do not require the employee to work on the company’s premises, such as employees who work from home, or employees  who work in a “virtual” location and serve the employer by telecommuting.

b). EMPLOYER JOB OFFER: IN-DEMAND SKILLS STREAM

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers an opportunity for in-demand foreign workers with a job in specific occupations in the agricultural and construction sectors offer to permanently live and work in Ontario.

Applicants can only apply if they meet all eligibility criteria, have received a permanent and full-time job offer from an Ontario employer and have a completed and signed Employer Form to upload as part of the application package.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible to apply for the In-Demand Skills Stream, at the time of your application you must have a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer that meets the following criteria:

  • Is a permanent (i.e., indeterminate) and full-time job offer in an eligible occupation in the agricultural or construction sectors (see list of eligible occupations), and
  • Meets the prevailing wagelevels in Ontario for that occupation and region.
    • If you are already working in the position, the employer is required to meet prevailing requirements andpay a wage that is equal to or greater than your current wage.
  • The job offer must be in one of the following eligible occupations in National Occupation Classification Skill Level C or D:
    • NOC 7441 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers;
    • NOC 7521 – Heavy equipment operators (except crane);
    • NOC 8431 – General farm workers;
    • NOC 8432 – Nursery and greenhouse workers;
    • NOC 8611 – Harvesting labourers;
    • NOC 7611 – Construction trades helpers and labourers;
    • NOC 9462 – Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, related workers.

Please note that seasonal work is not eligible for this stream.

As a FOREIGN WORKER, you must also meet the following requirements:

  • Work Experience:Have 12 months of cumulative work experience in Ontario obtained within the 36 months before the date of your application to the OINP. The work experience must be paid, full-time (1560 hours) or the equivalent amount in part-time in Ontario and must be in an eligible occupation (see list of eligible National Occupation Classification codes). Note: seasonal work experience is not eligible to meet the work experience requirement for the In-Demand Skills Pilot.
  • Education:Have completed the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school (high school) education or above, as demonstrated by a valid Educational Credential Assessment.
  • Valid certificate or licence:Have a valid certificate or license at the time of application for any work experience claimed in an occupation that requires certification or licensing.
  • Language:Have an English or a French-language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or above in all language competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
  • Settlement Funds:Have sufficient funds and/or income in Ontario to cover the settlement costs for you and your dependent family members.

In addition, your ONTARIO EMPLOYER must meet the following criteria:

  • Have been in active businessfor at least three years.
  • Have business premises in Ontariowhere you will work.
  • Be in compliance with all provincial labour laws, including but not limited to employment standards, health and safety, and labour relations legislation.
  • If you will be working inside of the Greater Toronto Area, your employer must have:
    • A minimum of$1,000,000 in gross annual revenue for the most recent fiscal year, and
    • Fivepermanent full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (per position to be filled each calendar year) at the location where you will work.
  • If you will be working outside of the Greater Toronto Area, your employer must have:
    • A minimum of$500,000 in gross annual revenue for the most recent fiscal year, and
    • Three permanent, full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (per position to be filled each calendar year) at the location where you will work.

 

Important: Definition of a “Permanent Full-Time Job Offer”

A permanent full-time job offer is an offer of employment with no end date and consisting of a minimum of 1,560 hours paid employment in a 12-month period with a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Note that the following are not considered permanent full-time positions even if they consist of 1,560 hours in a 12-month period:

  • Seasonal or part-time positions regardless of working hours,
  • Subcontractors, independent contractors, or agency workers,
  • Employees who have ownership in the business and
  • Positions that do not require the employee to work on the company’s premises, such as employees who work from home, or employees  who work in a “virtual” location and serve the employer by telecommuting.
  1. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CATEGORY
    1. International Students with a Job Offer Stream
    2. International Students – Masters Graduate Stream
    3. International Students – PhD Graduate Stream

a). INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WITH A JOB OFFER STREAM

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers international students with a job offer the opportunity to permanently live and work in Ontario.

Applicants can only apply if they have received a permanent full-time job offer from an Ontario employer and have a completed and signed Employer Form to upload as part of the application package.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible to apply under the Employer Job Offer – International Student Stream, you must have a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer that meets the following criteria:

  • Is a permanent and full-time job offerin a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B), and
  • Meets the entry wage levelin Ontario for that occupation and region.

As an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, you must also:

  • Have graduated from or have met the requirements of a full-time degree at an eligible publicly-funded Canadian college or university that is at least two years in length; or
  • Have graduated from or have met the requirements of a full-time diploma program at an eligible publicly-funded Canadian college or university that is at least a one year post-graduate certificate program, which requires a previous degree in order to qualify.
  • Have completed at least half of your studies in Canada, and
  • Apply within two yearsfrom the date on which you completed all degree, diploma or certificate requirements.

The OINP will not accept applications from international students in their final semester of studies. Applicants must have met all the degree, diploma or certificate requirements at the time of application.

In addition, your ONTARIO EMPLOYER must meet the following criteria:

  • Have been in active businessfor at least three years.
  • Have business premises in Ontariowhere you will work.
  • Be in compliancewith all provincial labour laws, including but not limited to employment standards, health and safety, and labour relations legislation.
  • If you will be working inside of the Greater Toronto Area, your employer must have:
  • A minimum of $1,000,000 in gross annual revenuefor the most recent fiscal year, and
  • Fivepermanent full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (per position to be filled each calendar year) at the location where you will work.
  • If you will be working outside of the Greater Toronto Area, your employer must have:
    • A minimum of $500,000 in gross annual revenuefor the most recent fiscal year, and
    • Threepermanent, full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (per position to be filled each calendar year) at the location where you will work.

For more information about the eligibility criteria, please refer to the Application Guide: International Students – Employer Job Offer Stream.

Important: Definition of a “Permanent Full-Time Job Offer”

A permanent full-time job offer is an offer of employment with no end date and consisting of a minimum of 1,560 hours paid employment in a 12-month period with a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Please note that the following are not considered permanent full-time positions even if they consist of 1,560 hours in a 12-month period:

  • Seasonal or part-time positions regardless of working hours
  • Subcontractors, independent contractors, or agency workers,
  • Employees who have ownership in the business and
  • Positions that do not require the employee to work on the company’s premises, such as employees who work from home, or employees  who work in a “virtual” location and serve the employer by telecommuting.

b). INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – MASTERS GRADUATE STREAM

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers an opportunity for international students with a Master’s degree obtained in Ontario to live and work permanently in Ontario.

Applicants applying to the Masters Graduate Stream can apply without a job offer.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible to apply for the Masters Graduate Stream, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Education:Graduated or have met all degree requirementsfrom a Master’s degree program at an eligible publicly-funded university in Ontario and have completed at least one academic year in length on a full-time basis.

 

  1. Language:
    1. A minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
      1. Level 7 (or above) in English, or
      2. Level 7 (or above) in French
    2. Residency in Ontario: Demonstrate you have resided in Ontario for at least 12 of the last 24 months before the application submission date.
    3. Settlement Funds:A minimum level of savings or income to support you and your family members.
    4. Intent:Intention to reside and work in Ontario.
    5. Residency at Time of Application:Must be residing in Ontario with legal status (i.e., study permit, work permit, visitor record) ORresiding outside of Canada. If you currently live in Canada, but outside of Ontario, you do not
    6. Eligibility Period:Must apply within two yearsof the date on which your Master’s degree was granted.  This is the date that appears on your diploma.

APPLY ONLINE

Before submitting an application:

  • Review the newonline registration and application instructions
  • Gather all relevant paperwork and supporting documentation required for your application. Any document that is not in English or French must be translated and certified, and notarized if required. For more information about completing the online application and all required supporting documents,

Filling out an online application will take up to two hours to complete.  Once you begin, you may save your progress and complete the application at a later time.

The application fee is $1,500. The fee covers the cost of processing your application and is non-refundable once you submit your application. Your fee must be paid online by credit card only (VISA or MasterCard) before your application can be submitted.

Note:  Your application fee will not be refunded unless your application is deemed incomplete or you withdraw your application before the OINP has started processing it .

  1. Business Category
    1. Entrepreneur Stream
    2. Corporate Stream

a). ENTREPRENEUR STREAM

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program: Entrepreneur

The following steps are required to participate in the Entrepreneur Stream:

  • Register an online Expression of Interest (EOI).
  • Your online EOI is entered into the selection pool and ranked by score.  Periodically, the ministry will draw registrants from the EOI selection pool and invite them to apply to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream.
  • If you are invited to apply, you can submit a complete application and application fee to the OINP.
  • If your application is approved, you will sign a Performance Agreement outlining the commitments you have made in your EOI to invest and create jobs in Ontario. You will be issued a temporary work permit support letter to apply for a temporary work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order to establish your business in Ontario. Please note: IRCC retains the authority to issue temporary work permits.
  • If you meet the commitments of your Performance Agreement, you may be eligible to be nominated by the OINP for permanent resident status.
  • Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for permanent resident status within six months of being nominated by OINP.

For more information on the Entrepreneur Stream, please refer to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream guide.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for this program if you have a viable business activity that will bring significant economic benefit to Ontario. If approved, you and your business partner (if applicable) may apply for a temporary work permit in order to establish your business. Once your business has been successfully established, you and your business partner (if applicable) may be eligible for nomination by the OINP.

You must meet all eligibility criteria in order to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. If you are applying with a business partner, your business partner must also meet the eligibility criteria.

To be eligible, you and your business partner must meet five factors.

  • Experience
    • At least 36 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.
    • Your experience must be as a business owner ORas a senior manager (business management).
  • Net Worth
    • If your proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA – includes the City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions), you must have a minimum net worth of $1,500,000 CDN.
    • If your proposed business will be located outside of the GTA, you must have a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN.
    • If your proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of your proposed business location), you must have a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN.
  • Personal Investment Funds
    • If your proposed business will be located within the GTA, you must make a minimum personal investment of $1,000,000 CDN and have a minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
    • If your proposed business will be located outside of the GTA, you must make a minimum personal investment of $500,000 CDN and have a minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
    • If your proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of where you set up the business), you must make a minimum personal investment of $500,000 CDN and have a minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
  • Job Creation
    • You must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens/ permanent residents.
  • Exploratory Visit
    • If you plan to purchase an existing business, you must make at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the last 12 months prior to the date you submitted your application.

You must meet the minimum requirements for all of these factors to be eligible to apply for the Entrepreneur Stream. If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet all the minimum requirements for each factor.

For more information, please reference the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream Guide.

Please review this program guide carefully before you submit an EOI to ensure that you and your business partner (if applicable) meet all eligibility requirements, and that you understand the application process, including how to submit an EOI.

Based on your EOI score, you may be invited to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. There is no guarantee that you will be invited to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. Instructions on how to access the online application tool will be emailed to you if you are invited to apply.

Next Steps

  • Determine if you meet minimum program eligibility criteria by completing the Self?Assessment Questionnaireprior to registering an EOI.
  • If you believe that you meet minimum program eligibility criteria and would like express your interest in the program, register an Expression of Interest (EOI).
  • If your EOI is selected, you will be invited to submit an application to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream.

Draw Information

The OINP will periodically conduct draws from the Entrepreneur Stream Expression of Interest (EOI) selection pool and invite registrants from this pool to submit an application to the OINP.

The following chart outlines the minimum score requirement for each draw, and the number of registrants from the EOI selection pool who were invited to apply.

Registrants will be informed via email if they have been invited to apply.  Registrants may also wish to monitor their ONe-Key account for this information.

For more information on the Entrepreneur Stream program requirements including how to register an EOI please refer to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream guide.

If you have specific questions on the first draw, please contact the OINP: by email at business.immigration@ontario.ca or by phone: 416-327-0374, or toll-free 1-866-214-6820.

Draw Date 40 Minimum Score Number of Invitations
August 29, 2016 132 10
December 22, 2016 123 20
May 5, 2017 120 22

 

b). CORPORATE STREAM

 

About the Corporate Stream

The Corporate Stream application is a two-stage process. Please review the process overview before applying which can be found here. Additional information about each step of the application process is provided in the Corporate Stream Application Guide.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for this program if you have a viable business activity that will bring significant economic benefit to Ontario. If the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) approves your proposal, your key staff may apply for a temporary work permit in order to establish the business.

Your corporation and your key staff must meet all eligibility criteria in order to qualify under the Corporate Stream. A decision will be made based on an assessment of all parties.

Corporation Requirements:

  • Your corporation must have been established for at least 36 months at the time of application submission.
  • Eligible corporate structures include: public corporations, sole proprietorship, and partnerships.

 

 

 

 

Local Job Creation Requirements:

  • Your Corporation must create five (5) new permanent and full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents per key staff applicant. For example, if you are proposing five key staff, you must create 25 permanent and full-time jobs in the business for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Ontario.
  • Positions must be paid at or above the prevailing wage level for that position.
  • A permanent and full-time job means a position that consists of a minimum of 1,560 hours of paid employment in a 12-month period.
  • The position must be continuously filled for at least 10 months prior to the submission of your Final Report.

 

General Requirements:

In addition to meeting the above requirements, your Corporation must also meet the following:

  • There must be a clear structural linkage between the parent Corporation and proposed new business in Ontario (e.g. a subsidiary, branch or affiliate of the Corporation).
  • The proposed business must intend to make a profit through the sale of goods and/or services.
  • Primary income sources must be from active (earned) income, not passive (unearned) income.
  • The proposed business must comply with Canadian legal requirements and all regulatory industry and licensing requirements which govern its legitimate operation.
  • If purchasing an existing business, it must be incorporated in Ontario.
  • The proposed business must comply with all Ontario labour laws, including but not limited to employment standards, health and safety, and labour relations legislation.
  • The proposed business must be considered a permanent business in Ontario. Project-based/seasonal businesses are not considered eligible.
  • Third party investors must be a Schedule I or Schedule II bank or an institutional investor.
  • The proposed business must not be involved in an immigration-linked investment scheme pursuant to paragraph 87(5)(b) of Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
  • You must submit a business plan.

 

Key Staff and Position Requirements:

Your Corporation may request up to five (5) key staff (prospective nominees) who will establish the business in Ontario and who may apply for nomination for permanent residency in Ontario. All key staff must meet Stage 1 requirements at the time of application. During Stage 2, key staff will need to meet additional nomination requirements, which are listed below.

  • Stage 1: Key Staff Application Requirements
    • Key staff must be essential to the establishment and operation of the proposed business.
    • Key staff must be in a senior, executive, management or specialized knowledge capacity (National Occupation Classification [NOC] Skill Level 0 or Skill Type A) in your Corporation’s existing business.
    • Only one key staff applicant in a NOC Skill Type A position can be proposed. The remaining key staff positions must be in NOC Skill Level 0.
    • Key staff must have at least 36 months of experience in the last 60 months in the intended occupation (the position they will hold in the proposed business in Ontario) with your Corporation. The key staff must also be continuously working for your Corporation in that position in the immediate 12 months prior to the submission of the application.
    • Key staff must not have an immediate familial relationship with any member of your Corporation’s Executive Board or Board of Directors or shareholders with more than 10% equity in your Corporation.
    • Key staff must not hold or have held equity in your Corporation, except in the case where that equity has been obtained as part of the remuneration package as part of the employee contract, in which case the equity held by the key staff must be less than 10% of your Corporation’s business.
    • The key staff position in the proposed business in Ontario must be a permanent and full-time job and meet the prevailing wage levels.
  • Stage 2: Key Staff Nomination Requirements
  1. Position Requirement:
  • Key staff must be in the position for which they were approved by the OINP and carrying out the approved job duties and be earning the prevailing wage for the position.
  1. Residency Requirement:
  • Key staff must physically reside in Ontario for at least 75% of each year (9 months out of the year) that they are in Ontario on a temporary work permit to support the business.
  1. Language Requirement:
  • Key staff must have a language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher.

There are additional requirements if you are purchasing an existing business in Ontario or if you are planning to establish a land development or leasehold company in Ontario, which can be found in the Application Guide.

Please ensure that you carefully review the Corporate Stream Application Guide before you apply to ensure that you and your key staff meet all eligibility requirements and that you understand the application process, including how to develop a business plan.

OINP