The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program lets the province nominate people for permanent residence based on Ontario’s labour market needs. Ottawa still makes the final decision, but an OINP nomination adds 600 points to an Express Entry score, which in practice means an invitation to apply.
The main streams
- Employer Job Offer streams — Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills. All three require a permanent, full-time job offer from an Ontario employer that meets wage and business requirements. In-Demand Skills covers occupations such as construction, agriculture, transport and personal support work.
- Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker — Ontario searches the Express Entry pool and issues a notification of interest to candidates who match its criteria. You cannot apply directly; you have to be in the pool and be selected.
- Masters and PhD Graduate streams — for people who completed an eligible graduate degree at an Ontario university, with no job offer required.
- Entrepreneur stream — for people planning to buy or start a business in Ontario, with investment and job-creation commitments.
What employers need to know
Employer job offer streams put real obligations on the employer, not just the applicant: minimum revenue, a minimum number of employees, an established physical business in Ontario, and a wage that meets the prevailing level for the occupation and region. Requirements are lighter outside the Greater Toronto Area, which is deliberate.
Timing
Streams open and close without much notice, and some operate through periodic intake windows rather than continuously. If you are eligible for a stream that is open, applying promptly matters.
Verify before you pay
Anyone charging you for OINP advice must be a licensed representative. Ontario publishes stream requirements and current openings on ontario.ca, and the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants maintains a public register of licensed consultants.
This is general information, not immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm on ontario.ca.
