Introduction

Ontario is Canada's most popular destination for newcomers. To select skilled workers who meet its economic needs, the province runs the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

An OINP nomination grants you 600 additional points in your Express Entry profile, guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

In this guide, we break down Ontario's main nomination pathways. To compare Ontario's options with other provinces, check our Canada PR Pathway Finder.

Key OINP Pathways

The OINP operates through three main categories, divided into specific streams:

1. Human Capital Category

This category targets skilled workers with high education, language skills, or relevant experience, without needing a job offer.

• Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker: For bilingual French and English speakers.
• Express Entry Human Capital Priorities: Selects candidates directly from the Express Entry pool based on CRS scores and work experience.

2. Employer Job Offer Category

For candidates who have a job offer from an eligible employer in Ontario.

• Foreign Worker Stream: For skilled professionals with job offers.
• International Student Stream: For recent graduates of Canadian colleges and universities.

How the OINP Points System Works

For non-Express Entry streams, Ontario uses its own Expression of Interest (EOI) points system to rank candidates based on their job offer wage, skill level, and education. You can compare Ontario's scoring rules with British Columbia's system using the BC PNP Points Calculator.

Conclusion

Securing an Ontario nomination is an excellent way to secure your permanent residency, especially if you are bilingual or hold a job offer in the province.

To map your best provincial nominee pathway, try the Canada PR Pathway Finder.