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Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Guide

by Kathy Watkins

A Top Immigration Destination in Canada

Ontario ranks as Canada’s most populous province, with around 40 percent of the nation’s residents calling it home. This vibrant province hosts Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, and Toronto, which stands as the country’s largest metropolis and its primary hub for business and finance. Ontario serves as the economic, social, and political center of Canada, attracting a diverse range of immigrants from across the globe. As one of the most multicultural provinces, it boasts over 125 languages spoken by people from more than 200 countries.

For those looking to make Ontario their new home, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) provides a streamlined route to immigration. This provincial nomination system is one of the most accessible pathways for newcomers seeking to settle in this welcoming province. Immigration to Canada can help you navigate these processes efficiently, ensuring a smooth transition to life in Ontario.

Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Guide

Understanding the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) offers an expedited path for selected foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Ontario, Canada, providing them the opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Formerly known as the Opportunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OOPNP), this initiative is aimed at potential immigrants who possess the skills and expertise that are specifically required in Ontario.

There are two primary routes to secure a nomination from the OINP. One option allows individuals to apply directly to the OINP by reaching out to Immigration Ontario. If a province nomination is granted, they can then create a Canada Express Entry profile and incorporate their nomination details.

Alternatively, individuals can initiate the process by setting up an Express Entry profile and indicating their interest in the province through an Expression of Interest (EOI) within the system. The OINP may then reach out through Express Entry with a formal Invitation to Apply (ITA). Receiving a provincial nomination significantly boosts their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by 600 points, greatly enhancing their chances of obtaining an ITA in the subsequent Express Entry draw, which occurs approximately every few weeks.

Engaging with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is highly beneficial in navigating this process. An RCIC can manage your application, from conducting a comprehensive assessment to ensure your eligibility for the OINP, to providing guidance on enhancing your eligibility, crafting your EOI profile, completing your application forms, liaising with provincial authorities, assisting in the collection and verification of necessary documents, and offering ongoing support throughout your immigration journey

Secure Your Future with a Job Offer in Ontario

Immigration Pathway: Employer Job Offer – Foreign Worker Stream

This pathway is crafted for skilled foreign professionals seeking permanent residency in Canada. If you have relevant job experience and a job offer in Ontario’s essential sectors, this stream is designed for you.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

Job Offer Criteria:

Your job offer must meet these conditions:

Applicant Criteria:

As an aspiring applicant, ensure you have: 

Employer Criteria:

To validate your employment offer, the employer must meet specific standards:

General Employer Standards:

Revenue Standards:

For the past fiscal year, the business should demonstrate:

Employment Standards:

The business must employ at least:

Assessment Factors:

This stream evaluates several aspects, including the specifics of the Canadian job offer, language proficiency, and your intended relocation area within Ontario.

Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Guide

Employer Job Offer: International Student Pathway

International students with a job offer in a specialized occupation are urged to apply through this pathway. This option is open to international students both within and outside of Canada who wish to pursue employment in Ontario. Successful applicants will be nominated and granted permanent residency by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you’re interested in becoming an international student in Canada, here’s how you can apply for a Canadian study permit.

This opportunity is excellent for students because Ontario is one of Canada’s most diverse, vibrant, and prosperous provinces. It’s a fantastic launching pad for future careers. While the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has stringent criteria, successful candidates will have a superb chance to achieve permanent residency through the Ontario PNP.

Entry Requirements for International Student Pathway

Job Offer Requirements: Your employment offer in Ontario must meet the following criteria: 

Applicant Requirements: As an applicant, you need to meet these requirements: 

Employer Requirements: For your job offer to be considered valid by OINP, your employer must satisfy specific conditions:

General Business Requirements: The employer must:

Revenue Requirements: During the last fiscal year, the employer’s business must:

Employment Requirements: To be deemed valid, the business must employ:

If you’re unsure whether your university qualifies for this pathway, refer to our list of Canadian universities or consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for assessment. They can assist you in finding the right program and ensure you study in a place that enhances your prospects for permanent residency in Canada.

Immigration to Canada: In-Demand Skills Pathway

This pathway is designed for semi-skilled foreign workers aiming to move to Ontario, Canada. It requires relevant work experience and a job offer aligned with the province’s list of in-demand occupations.

Job Offer Criteria

Your offer of employment in Ontario should meet these conditions:

  • It must be for a full-time role.
  • The occupation should be eligible under the stream.
  • Salary should match or exceed the median wage for that role.
  • The position should be crucial to your employer’s business operations.
  • The job location must be in Ontario.

Applicant Criteria

To qualify for this pathway, applicants must:

  • Have an Expression of Interest (EOI).
  • Possess an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
  • Demonstrate relevant work experience or hold necessary certifications.
  • Achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 4 or higher.
  • Have completed at least a high school education.
  • Intend to reside in Ontario.
  • Hold a legal status in Canada.

Employer Criteria

For your employment to be considered valid by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), your employer must meet specific requirements:

General Requirements

Employers must:

  • Be actively engaged in business for a minimum of three years before applying.
  • Operate from business premises located in Ontario.
  • Have no unresolved violations under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Demonstrate to authorities efforts toward finding a suitable candidate domestically within Canada.

Revenue Requirements

In the previous fiscal year, the business must have achieved:

  • A minimum gross annual revenue of 1,000,000 CAD if located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
  • A minimum gross annual revenue of 500,000 CAD for locations outside the GTA.

This streamlined pathway facilitates skilled immigration to Ontario, ensuring that both candidates and employers meet the necessary criteria for successful application. 

Entrepreneurs with Exceptional Business Ideas

In the fall of 2015, the Ontario investor program was officially shut down. However, a fresh opportunity arose with the introduction of the Ontario Entrepreneur Program under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Why Entrepreneurs Are Attracted to Ontario

Ontario offers an abundance of opportunities for entrepreneurs with its dynamic economic landscape. The province boasts competitive tax rates, lower operational costs, and access to a highly talented and skilled workforce. Additionally, various provincial funding programs are available, particularly beneficial if you’re under 30.

Understanding the Entrepreneur Stream

The Entrepreneur Stream caters to foreign nationals interested in either purchasing an existing business in Ontario or establishing a new enterprise from scratch. Successful business establishment under this stream can lead to a nomination for Canadian permanent residency through the OINP Entrepreneur Stream.

The application process for the Ontario Entrepreneur Stream is divided into two distinct stages:

Stage 1

Initially, this stage concentrates on the application for you and any business partners, similar to the traditional Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) process. Key steps include:

  • Registering an Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Submitting an online application upon EOI approval
  • Attending a mandatory interview with your business partner
  • Signing a performance agreement

A critical aspect of this stage is validating whether your business plan is viable and ensuring your capacity to launch the enterprise in Ontario. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least 24 months of full-time business experience as a business manager or senior owner within the last 60 months
  • Possess a minimum personal net worth
  • Commit to a minimum personal investment in the business
  • Play an active role within the company
  • Intend to generate profit through the business

Stage 2

The second stage is aimed at the actual establishment of your enterprise in Canada. Requirements include:

  • Obtaining a temporary work permit support letter and securing a temporary Canadian work permit
  • Setting up your business in Canada
  • Providing adequate documentation to prove your eligibility for permanent residency in Canada, contingent upon meeting all business criteria

As you navigate this process, your business acumen and the legitimacy of your enterprise will already be recognized. Therefore, meeting Stage 2 requirements focuses on your adaptation to life in Canada. To progress, you must:

  • Achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4
  • Reside in Ontario for at least 15 out of the 20 months allocated for business establishment
  • Fulfill the conditions outlined in your performance agreement

Establishing a business in Canada involves a meticulous and detailed process, with numerous potential pitfalls. Without substantial experience in Canadian immigration norms, managing this on your own can be a formidable challenge. Therefore, we strongly advocate the use of immigration professionals, such as Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), to guide you through each step, ensuring you have all the necessary resources to launch your business successfully in Canada. 

FAQ
Does Ontario's PNP require a job offer?

No job offer is needed for Ontario's Human Capital Category, which includes the following streams:

However, the Employer Job Offer Category requires an eligible job offer from a supporting employer in Ontario.

How does the Ontario PNP operate?

For most of the Human Capital Category (except the Master's and PhD Graduate Streams), you'll need to register for a ONe-key account on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) website.

Create your profile, start the application process online, and upload the necessary documents. If approved, you'll get a Nomination Approval Letter, a work permit support letter, and a nomination certificate via email.

Next, submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months, including your nomination letter and certificate.

For those applying through Express Entry, you'll receive your nomination through the system, gaining additional points and an invitation to apply in the next draw.

For the Employer Job Offer Category, you must first create a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal and register your Expression of Interest (EOI).

Ontario periodically conducts draws to select the highest-ranking candidates. If chosen, you'll receive a notification and must apply within 14 calendar days.

For the Business Category, submit an Expression of Interest by emailing the OINP to request a registration form. Complete and return the form via email.

Your application will be ranked alongside others in a pool. Ontario holds regular draws to invite the top-ranked candidates to apply via the Entrepreneur Stream on the OINP e-Filing Portal.

You'll also need to engage a qualified vendor to verify your net worth and source of funds.

How can I apply for Ontario PNP through Express Entry?

If you're interested in immigrating to Ontario via Express Entry, register on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) website.
Create a new profile and select the eligible stream for your application.
Upload your documents.

If successful, you'll receive a Nomination Approval Letter, a work permit support letter, and a nomination certificate by email.
You will also receive the nomination through the Express Entry system. Accepting it grants you an extra 600 points, effectively ensuring an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Is the Ontario PNP straightforward?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers various streams for those looking to move to Ontario.

Individuals are not typically eligible for every stream, so it's crucial to identify the stream that suits your personal circumstances. This will be the "easiest" path for your unique situation.

How can I become eligible for the Ontario PNP?

There are several pathways to qualify for Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program. Understanding the different categories is essential.

Ontario’s Human Capital Category includes:

No job offer is needed for the Express Entry-aligned streams in this category.

If you have a job offer from a supportive employer, you can qualify through the Employer Job Offer Category. Your place of residence at the time of application does not impact eligibility.

It's important to verify your eligibility for each option before proceeding further.

Is the Ontario PNP currently accepting applications?

Ontario's streams under the Employer Job Offer Category, along with the Master’s and Ph.D. Graduate streams, now use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This allows candidates to register their interest at any time, with registrations valid for 12 months.

The other streams under the Human Capital Category operate via the federal Express Entry system and are open for applications.

Why choose to immigrate to Ontario?

Ontario offers many appealing reasons for immigration. Toronto, the provincial capital, is one of the world's most diverse cities, with more than half of its population born outside of Canada.

The region presents numerous employment opportunities, including in Toronto and nearby cities. Many leading global companies have their Canadian headquarters in Toronto, such as Apple, Coca-Cola, Google, Microsoft, ASUS, Intel, SAP, and Citibank. Key industries include finance, technology, film and media, and tourism.

Additionally, Ontario is home to top-tier universities worldwide, including the University of Toronto, York University, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, the University of Ottawa, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Carleton University, and the University of Guelph.

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