December

December 21, 2017

Important notice

Please be advised that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will be undergoing scheduled system maintenance between Friday December 29, 2017 at 5pm EDT and ending on January 15, 2018. You will be unable to submit an online application during this time.

Please note that if you have submitted a paid application to the OINP, or intend to submit a paid application before December 29th, the program will continue to process your application.

However, all applications in progress that are not submitted and paid for by Friday December 29, 2017 at 5pm EDT will be closed in the OINP e-Filing Portal. You may submit a new application after January 15th.

Any client whose application deadline is affected by the system maintenance is asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

December 18, 2017

Important notice

Please be advised that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has received an increase to its 2017 nomination allocation. The program will continue to process applications and issue nominations until the increased allocation is fulfilled. Any applications submitted that exceed the OINP’s nomination allocation increase will be processed. If approved, you will be nominated in 2018 and you will be notified at that time.

You can check the status of your application at any time through the OINP e-Filing Portal.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

December 1, 2017

Re: Proclamation of the Ontario Immigration Act

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is pleased to inform you that the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and its regulations will be coming into force on January 1, 2018. After seeking input from stakeholders through a series of public consultations held earlier this year, we have formed an Act that supports Ontario’s commitment to creating a fair and diverse society which benefits people across the province.

The Act supports our efforts to attract and retain global talent to promote prosperity and economic growth. The importance of this legislation was underscored by the unanimous support it received from all parties in the Legislature.

You can find the Act and its regulations on the e-Laws webpage.

Further information about the Act, including what is new and what you need to know as an applicant, an employer, or a representative, will be available in January 2018.

November

November 22, 2017

Important notice

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has met its 2017 nomination allocation for all streams. If you have submitted a paid application to the OINP, your application will be processed. If your application is approved, the program will nominate you in 2018 and you will be notified at that time.

Please monitor the OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

November 20, 2017

Important notice: Technical difficulties with OINP e-filing portal

Please be advised that the program experienced technical difficulties with the OINP e-Filing Portal from Thursday evening (November 9) to Sunday November 19. The issue has now been resolved.

In order to account for these technical difficulties, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is granting applicants an additional 10 calendar days to submit their applications through the e-Filing Portal. Expiry dates for Notifications of Interest will also be extended an additional 10 calendar days.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

November 9, 2017

Important notice: Technical difficulties with OINP e-filing portal

Please be advised that the program is experiencing technical difficulties with the OINP e-Filing Portal.

Please monitor the OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

Any clients whose application deadlines are affected by the system maintenance are asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

November 7, 2017

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream has reached its registration intake limit

Please note that Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream has reached the registration intake limit. No additional registrations for this stream can be accepted.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

November 6, 2017

On October 24, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) changed the definition of a dependent child for all immigration programs (including the Provincial Nominee Program). IRCC increased the age limit of a dependent child to “under 22”, raising it from the previous “under 19” requirement.

In all cases, dependents who are 22 years of age or older and who rely on their parents due to a physical or mental health condition will continue to be considered eligible dependents.

All permanent resident applications received by IRCC and all applications submitted to the

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on October 24, 2017 or later are subject to the new definition.

In addition, to be consistent with the federal government, the OINP will allow applicants who currently have a pending application with the OINP to add a dependent child to their application if they were 19, 20 or 21 years of age on May 3, 2017, or on the date that the program received their application, if between May 3, and today’s date (November 6, 2017).

Note: An application is considered to be ‘pending’ up until a decision is made by the OINP. Once a decision has been rendered, applicants cannot make changes to the application and/or add new dependent family members.

If you have a pending application that was submitted to the OINP between May 3 and November 6, 2017 and you would like to add a dependent child to your application, please send an email to the OINP at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

Be sure to quote your file number and include the following information about your dependent child:

  • First and Last Name (Middle Name if applicable)
  • Date of Birth
  • Country of Birth
  • Sex
  • Citizenship
  • Country of Residence
  • Copy of the personal details page of their passport

If required for your stream, please verify that you continue to meet the settlement funds requirement based on the number of dependent family members and submit any additional supporting documents to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds and/or income to cover the settlement costs.

Reminder: Under the federal Provincial Nominee Program, a child’s age is locked in on the date that the application for nomination is made to the province. If the child is eligible at this time, he/she will remain eligible throughout the application process.

In the coming months, the OINP will update all external materials (i.e. application guides, website pages, online applications, etc.) to reflect this change. In the interim, this update serves as notice of the change in definition of a dependent child and is effective immediately.

More information regarding this change to the definition of dependent child is available on IRCC’s website.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

November 3, 2017

Important: Please note the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal will be temporarily unavailable from Friday November 3, 2017 at 5pm EDT until Saturday November 4, 2017 at 2pm EDT as the system undergoes maintenance. Any clients whose application deadlines are affected by the system maintenance are asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

November 2, 2017

Re: Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream: now accepting applications

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is now accepting applications for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream.

Attention:

  • You must have a valid profile in the Express Entry (EE) system in order to apply.
  • You must have received a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario that is still valid in order to apply.
  • Notifications of Interest (NOI) issued prior to November 1, 2017 are valid for six months or to December 31, 2017 (whichever comes first). This means that you must submit an application for the HCP Stream in the OINP e-Filing Portal within six months of receiving your NOI from Ontario.
  • NOIs issued after November 1, 2017 are valid for 45 days or to December 31, 2017 (whichever comes first). This means that if you received your NOI after November 1, 2017, you must submit an application for the HCP in the OINP e-Filing Portal within 45 days of receiving your NOI from Ontario.
  • All NOIs issued in 2017 are no longer valid after December 31, 2017.

Note: If your application is approved after the OINP reaches its nomination allocation for 2017, your nomination certificate will be issued in early 2018.

Please refer to the Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream application guide for complete details on eligibility criteria required for this stream.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation. Applicants will be informed when the OINP is no longer accepting applications via the OINP Updates webpage.

Questions:

If you have questions about the requirements of the HCP Stream, you can contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca. Be sure to include your Express Entry number.

If you experience technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e-filing system, please contact the OINP directly at: OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible. Please include a screen shot and details about how the error occurred. If you have successfully registered for an OINP stream, please also include your file number for reference.

October

October 30, 2017

Re: International Students – PhD Graduate Stream has reached its registration intake limit

Please note that the International Students – PhD Graduate Stream has reached the registration intake limit. No additional registrations for this stream can be accepted.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream in the months ahead.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

October 26, 2017

Re: Technical Difficulties with OINP e-Filing Portal – Friday October 20 to Sunday October 22, 2017

Please be advised that the program experienced technical difficulties with the OINP e-Filing Portal from Friday evening (October 20) to Sunday October 22. The issue has now been resolved.

In order to account for these technical difficulties, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is granting applicants an additional 7 calendar days to submit their applications through the e-Filing Portal.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

October 16, 2017

We are aware that some applicants to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program experienced technical difficulties. The issue is being resolved and the affected applicants will be contacted directly by OINP program staff.

October 12, 2017

Please note that the Masters Graduate Stream has reached its registration intake limit. No additional registrations for this stream can be accepted.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

October 12, 2017

Re: International Students - Masters and PhD Graduate Streams now accepting applications

The OINP is now accepting applications for the International Students - Masters Graduate Stream and International Students - PhD Graduate Stream.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation. Applicants will be informed when the OINP is no longer accepting applications to these streams via this OINP Updates page.

Please refer to the application guides for further details on applying to each of these streams.

Attention:

The OINP is a very popular program and receives a significant number of applications. The ministry has taken comprehensive measures to help ensure you have a smooth user experience when accessing the OINP e-Filing Portal.

However, you may experience longer than anticipated wait times, as a large number of applicants attempt to access the system at the same time.

To support a smooth user experience, you:

  • Should avoid opening multiple tabs or refreshing the page when trying to access the OINP e-filing system.
  • Must access the OINP e-Filing Portal through OntarioImmigration.ca. Attempting to directly access the e-Filing Portal through the Government of Ontario’s ONe-key system will cause delays and could prevent applicants from completing their applications.

You will be queued upon entry to the e-Filing Portal. If you attempt to refresh pages or click on links to other pages once you enter the e-Filing Portal, you will lose your place in the queue. You are encouraged to remain in the queue until the system is ready to proceed.

If you experience technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e-Filing Portal, please contact the OINP directly at: OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible. You should include a screen shot and details about how the error occurred. If you have successfully registered for an OINP stream, you should also include your file number for reference.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

October 11, 2017

Important notice

This is to inform you about an important OINP update to be announced on www.ontarioimmigration.ca this Thursday, October 12, 2017.

About Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP):

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an economic immigration program designed to help Ontario meet its labour market and economic development priorities. The program allows Ontario to nominate, for permanent residence, individuals who have the skills and experience to contribute to Ontario’s economy, and assists employers in recruiting and retaining foreign workers.

The OINP is operated by the province of Ontario in partnership with the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The OINP assesses applications and nominates candidates for permanent residence. Individuals nominated by the OINP can then apply for permanent residence through IRCC, IRCC makes the final decision on each application and issues permanent resident visas to successful applicants.

September

September 7, 2017

Re: Corporate Stream Now Accepting Online Applications

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has launched an online application system to make it easier to apply to the Corporate Stream and improve processing times for applicants.

Please refer to the Application Guide for further details on applying to this stream.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

August

August 25, 2017

Important: Please note, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal will be unavailable until Monday, August 28, 2017 as the system undergoes maintenance. Any clients whose application deadlines are affected by the system maintenance are asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

August 17, 2017

Important notice re: technical issue

On August 16, 2017, the program was performing planned system testing.

An error occurred during the implementation of this test, which resulted in a number of emails being sent out in error to people registered with the public e-Filing system.

We are investigating the cause of the error.

The program can confirm that no applications were modified in any way during this test. The emails that were sent out in error do not reflect any change to applications or registrations.

No personal information was compromised.

If applicants and/or representatives have concerns about the status of files submitted to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), they can check the status of those files online through the OINP e-Filing Portal.

If you have any questions, please contact the OINP at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

August 16, 2017

Re: Launch of new Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has launched a new pilot for workers in high demand occupations with a job offer in Ontario.

Applications for the Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream are now being accepted.

August 11, 2017

Important: Please note, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal will be unavailable until Monday, August 14, 2017 as the system undergoes maintenance. Any clients whose application deadlines are affected by the system maintenance are asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

July

July 25, 2017

Re: Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream – A Hold on Intake

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCP) has recently seen a surge in applications. The stream has reached its current registration limit and no additional registrations for this stream can be accepted at this time. The program will also place a hold on sending any additional Notifications of Interest for the Human Capital Priorities stream.

Please note, if you have already registered for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream, you must submit your complete application through the OINP e Filing Portal within 14 days of registering a profile.

Questions:

If you have questions about the requirements of the Human Capital Priorities Stream, you can contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e-Filing Portal, please send us an email at OINP.technical POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

July 25, 2017

Important notice

Some applicants may have recently experienced difficulty registering a profile for Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream.

Please note, the issue has now been resolved and the OINP e-Filing Portal is accessible. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

If you experience technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e-filing system, please contact the OINP directly at: OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

July 20, 2017

Re: Employer Job Offer Streams now accepting applications

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is now accepting applications for the Employer Job Offer Streams – Foreign Workers and International Students.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation. Applicants will be informed when the OINP is no longer accepting applications to these streams via this OINP Updates page.

Please refer to the Application Guide for further details on applying to the Employer Job Offer Stream.

Please note, you must submit your complete application to the OINP within 21 days of registering a profile under the Employer Job Offer stream on the OINP e-Filing Portal.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e-Filing Portal, please send us an email at OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

July 17, 2017

Re: Technical Difficulties with OINP e-Filing Portal – Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16, 2017

Please be advised that the program experienced technical difficulties with the OINP e-Filing Portal from late Friday evening (July 14) to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday July 16. The issue has now been resolved and you may access the OINP e-Filing Portal.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

July 17, 2017

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issues fraud warning

Important: You will never receive a confirmation letter or nomination certificate from the OINP if you have not applied to the program and do not have an application pending.

Some members of the public have been receiving emails with a false Ontario Certificate of Nomination attached, requesting a “Right of Permanent Residence Fee” (RPRF).

These certificates bear the Government of Ontario Logo and the address of 400 University Avenue in Toronto.

This fraudulent activity can be identified through the following markers:

  • No Certificate of Nomination will ever be emailed to you by the OINP.
  • The contact telephone and fax number on the certificate contain a 708 area code. This is not an area code used in Ontario and is not connected to the OINP in any way.
  • The false nomination certificate refers to the CIC Visa Office. The Federal Government of Canada has changed the name of the department that deals with Canadian immigration. It is now called Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  • You will never be asked to make a payment to the OINP through a wire transfer, and you will never be asked to pay a ‘Right of Permanent Residence Fee’. Applicants to the OINP pay a one-time upfront administration fee to the program, through the online system, and do not pay for a nomination certificate when and if it is granted.

It is important to note that the OINP, as well as any other Canadian Immigration Program, will never contact you by phone or email to make a payment. If you receive such a call or email, please forward the information to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program immediately at ProgramIntegrityTeam@ontario.ca.

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, mother’s maiden name, passwords or other identifying information in response to unsolicited emails or calls.

To report fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or through their website: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreanitfraude.ca.

July 4, 2017
Ontario’s express entry human capital priorities stream: List of targeted occupations by National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes

On June 28, 2017, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced that it would issue targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream and who have work experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

The OINP targeted candidates in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector with work experience in the following NOC codes:

  • NOC 0131: Telecommunication Carriers Managers
  • NOC 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers
  • NOC 2133: Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • NOC 2147: Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers)
  • NOC 2171: Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
  • NOC 2172: Database Analysts and Data Administrators
  • NOC 2173: Software Engineers and Designers
  • NOC 2174: Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
  • NOC 2175: Web Designers and Developers
  • NOC 2241: Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • NOC 2281: Computer Network Technicians
  • NOC 2282: User Support Technicians
  • NOC 2283: Systems Testing Technicians
  • NOC 5224: Broadcast Technicians
  • NOC 5241: Graphic Designers and Illustrators

For these occupations only, the OINP lowered the required minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score below 400. However, candidates will still need to meet all other HCP stream eligibility, including:

  • 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 in Ontario; and
  • Intent: An intention to reside in Ontario long term

Note: Receiving a Notification of Interest does not mean you will be nominated under one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams. Please consult the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program website and review the requirements of the stream that interests you to ensure you meet both provincial and federal criteria.

Questions:

If you have questions about the requirements of the HCP Stream, you can contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca. Be sure to include your Express Entry number.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e Filing Portal, please send us an email at OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

June

June 28, 2017

Ontario’s express entry human capital priorities stream: Issuance of notifications of interest by targeted occupations

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an economic immigration program designed to help Ontario meet its labour market and economic development priorities.

The OINP continues to improve the program’s responsiveness to labour market and economic development needs and identify more candidates with experience in some of Ontario’s priority sectors and in demand occupations. As part of that vision, the program will begin issuing targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream and who have work experience in specific occupations identified by the OINP.

For these occupation-specific searches only, the OINP will be lowering the required minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score below 400. To qualify, candidates will need to meet all other HCP stream eligibility criteria (see below) and have skilled work experience in one of the targeted occupations.

All applicants to the HCP Stream must meet the following 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 in Ontario; and
  • Intent: An intention to reside in Ontario long term

For the week of June 26, 2017, the OINP will be targeting candidates with work experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Please note that in addition to these occupation-specific searches, the OINP will continue regular searches of the Express Entry pool for candidates who qualify for the HCP Stream with a CRS score of 400 points or more. These candidates can demonstrate work experience in any National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A and B occupation as long as they have a CRS score of 400 or higher.

Prospective applicants to the HCP Stream are encouraged to create a new profile in the Express Entry system to make it easier for Ontario to identify their profile during its search in the federal government’s Express Entry pool. Please note that if you create a new Express Entry profile, you must delete your old profile.

To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP is monitoring the volume of applications to the HCP Stream and issuing NOIs periodically throughout the year until Ontario’s 2017 federal nomination allocation is fulfilled.

Note: Receiving a Notification of Interest does not mean you will be nominated under one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams. Please consult the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program website and review the requirements of the stream that interests you to ensure you meet both provincial and federal criteria.

Deadlines for the HCP Stream:

Your Notification of Interest (NOI) is valid for six months. This means that you must register a profile for the HCP Stream in the OINP e-Filing Portal within six months of receiving your NOI from Ontario.

Once you register a profile for the HCP Stream in the OINP e Filing Portal, you must submit your complete application to the OINP within 14 calendar days.

The 14 day deadline to apply following registration for the HCP Stream must not be confused with the validity period of your NOI from Ontario.

Note: An NOI does not guarantee you a registration in the OINP e Filing Portal. If you intend to apply for the HCP Stream, it is recommended that you register a profile and submit an application as soon as possible to ensure that your application is received before Ontario’s nomination allocation is fulfilled.

Questions:

If you have questions about the requirements of the HCP Stream, you can contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca. Be sure to include your Express Entry number.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e Filing Portal, please send us an email at OINP.technical POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

June 22, 2017

Important notice

Please note that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is now posting estimated application processing times online.

Note: Application processing times may vary depending on individual circumstances. Longer than estimated processing times may be experienced if the OINP is waiting for additional documents.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

June 10, 2017

Please note that the Employer Job Offer Stream has reached its registration intake limit. No additional registrations for this stream can be accepted.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream in the months ahead.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

May

May 31, 2017

Important notice

Re: Launch of New Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, Streamlined Employer Job Offer Stream and Updated Entrepreneur Stream

The OINP has launched a new stream for skilled trades workers under the Express Entry system and has streamlined its Employer Job Offer Stream and updated its Entrepreneur Stream.

New: Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream

The new Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream is targeted at attracting skilled trades workers to meet labour market needs in the construction and agricultural sectors, but could be expanded to other sectors in the future. Applications are now being accepted online for this stream.

Streamlined Employer Job Offer Stream

The former employer driven streams are now called the Employer Job Offer streams. The Employer Job Offer streams have a new streamlined application approach for international students and foreign workers with a job offer. The nominee, instead of the employer, now leads the application process and is responsible for preparing their application. Less documentation is required upfront from the employer. Applications are now being accepted online for this stream.

Updated Entrepreneur Stream

The minimum language level required for the Entrepreneur Stream has been lowered, and potential applicants will receive more points on their Expression of Interest if they wish to establish their business, or buy an existing business, in a community outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Expressions of Interest continue to be accepted online for this stream.

Please refer to the new application guides for further details on applying to each of these streams.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

May 24, 2017

Important notice

Please note that the International PhD Graduates Stream has reached the registration intake limit. No additional registrations for this stream can be accepted.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream in the months ahead.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

Other temporarily paused streams will reopen in the coming months.

May 5, 2017

Express entry human capital priorities stream: Issuance of notifications of interest

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will resume issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to applicants who qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream on a weekly basis.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to create a new profile in the Express Entry (EE) system to make it easier for Ontario to identify their profile during its search of the federal government’s Express Entry pool. Please note that if you create a new EE profile, you must delete your old profile.

Prospective applicants who meet the HCP Stream criteria, have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400, and are identified in the Express Entry pool will be sent a NOI.

To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP will be monitoring the volume of applications to this stream. This stream will be paused and reopened periodically throughout the year until the province’s 2017 federal allocation is fulfilled. Stakeholders will be informed when the stream is temporarily paused and reopened again via this OINP Updates page.

May 5, 2017

Effective immediately: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program no longer accepts credit card statements submitted as evidence of residency in Ontario under the International Masters Graduate Stream.

Applicants may submit other documentation with their applications as evidence they have resided in Ontario for 12 cumulative months in the past 24 months. Supporting documents may include, but are not limited to:

  • phone bills, car insurance, house/apartment insurance, hydro or energy bills
  • lease or leasing documents demonstrating residence; and/or
  • pay stubs from an Ontario employer, if applicable

Note: Supporting documents must include the applicant’s full name and address in Ontario.

May 1, 2017

Important notice

Re: International Masters Graduate Stream has reached its registration intake limit

Please note that the International Masters Graduates Stream has reached the registration intake limit. No additional registrations for this stream can be accepted.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream in the months ahead.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

Other temporarily paused streams will reopen in the coming months.

May 1, 2017

Re: International Masters and PhD Graduate Streams now accepting applications

The OINP is now accepting applications for the International Masters Graduate Stream and International PhD Graduate Stream.

The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation. Applicants will be informed when the OINP is no longer accepting applications to these streams via this OINP Updates page.

Please refer to the application guides for further details on applying to each of these streams.

Attention:

The OINP is a very popular program and receives a significant number of applications. The ministry has taken comprehensive measures to help ensure applicants have a smooth user experience when accessing the OINP e-filing system. However, applicants may experience longer than anticipated wait times, as a large number of applicants attempt to access the system at the same time.

To support a smooth user experience, applicants:

  • Should avoid opening multiple tabs or refreshing the page when trying to access the OINP e-filing system
  • Must access the OINP e-filing system through OntarioImmigration.ca. Attempting to directly access the e-filing system through the Government of Ontario’s ONe-key system will cause delays and could prevent applicants from completing their applications

Applicants will be queued upon entry to the e-filing system. If applicants attempt to refresh pages or click on links to other pages once they enter the e-filing system, they will lose their place in the queue. Applicants are encouraged to remain in the queue until the system is ready to proceed.

If you experience technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e-filing system, please contact the OINP directly at: OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible. Applicants should include a screen shot and details about how the error occurred. If applicants have successfully registered for an OINP stream, they should also include their case number for reference.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

May 1, 2017

Important: Please note, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal is temporarily unavailable.

Please note: Applicants will be informed when the International Masters and PhD Graduate Streams are reopened via the OINP Updates webpage.

April

April 28, 2017

Re: Upcoming changes to the online application process for OINP streams

To help ensure the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) e-filing system can accommodate high volumes of users, changes are being made to the online application process.

Applicants will have to access the e-filing application service through OntarioImmigration.ca. Attempting to directly access the e-filing system through the Government of Ontario’s ONe-key system will cause delays and prevent you from completing your application.

Applicants should also avoid opening multiple tabs or refreshing the page when trying to access the e-filing application.

Applicants will be queued upon entry to the e-filing system. If applicants attempt to refresh the page or click on links to other pages once they enter the e-filing system, they will lose their place in the queue. Applicants are encouraged to remain in the queue until the system is ready to proceed.

New!
The OINP has made some important changes to the application guides for the following streams: International Masters Graduate, International PhD Graduate, Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker. Please refer to the updated application guides before registering.

Please note: Applicants will be informed when the International Graduate (Masters and PhD) Streams are reopened via the OINP Updates webpage.

Important: Please note, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal will be unavailable until Monday May 1, 2017 as the system undergoes maintenance. Any clients whose application deadlines are affected by the system maintenance are asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

Please note: Applicants will be informed when the International Masters and PhD Graduate Streams are reopened via the OINP Updates webpage.

April 26, 2017

Please note, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal will be temporarily unavailable from April 26, 2017 at 5pm EDT until April 27, 2017 at 9am EDT.

April 26, 2017

Ontario express entry: Human capital priorities

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is an economic immigration program designed to help Ontario meet its labour market and economic development priorities. To improve the responsiveness of the program to labour market demands, the program will be issuing targeted Notifications of Interest to religious workers in NOCs 4154 (Professional occupations in religion) and 4217 (Other religious occupations) over the next week.

April 21, 2017

Important: Please note, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program e-Filing Portal will be temporarily unavailable from Friday April 21, 2017 at 5pm EDT until Sunday April 23, 2017 at 8pm EDT as the system undergoes maintenance. Any clients whose application deadlines are affected by the system maintenance are asked to contact the program directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

April 10, 2017

Express entry human capital priorities stream: Issuance of notifications of interest

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will resume issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to applicants who qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream the week of April 10-14, 2017.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to create a new profile in the Express Entry (EE) system to make it easier for Ontario to identify their profile during its search of the federal government’s Express Entry pool. Please note that if you create a new EE profile, you must delete your old profile.

Prospective applicants who meet the HCP Stream criteria, have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400, and are identified in the Express Entry pool will be sent a NOI.

The OINP is an economic immigration program designed to help Ontario meet its labour market and economic development priorities. For this round of NOIs, the program will also be targeting candidates in high-demand skilled trades in the construction sector who meet the criteria of the HCP stream. These occupations include:

  • Carpenters
  • Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • Welders
  • Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • Plumbers
  • Bricklayers
  • Roofers and shinglers
  • Sheet metal workers
  • Tilesetters
  • Boilermakers
  • Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • Industrial electricians

To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP is monitoring the volume of applications to the HCP Stream and issuing NOIs periodically throughout the year until Ontario’s 2017 federal nomination allocation is fulfilled.

Deadlines for the HCP Stream

Your Notification of Interest (NOI) is valid for six months. This means that you must register a profile for the HCP Stream in the OINP e-Filing Portal within six months of receiving your NOI from Ontario.

Once you register a profile for the HCP Stream in the OINP e Filing Portal, you must submit your complete application to the OINP within 14 calendar days.

The 14 day deadline to apply following registration for the HCP Stream must not be confused with the validity period of your NOI from Ontario.

Questions

If you have questions about the requirements of the HCP Stream, you can contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca. Be sure to include your Express Entry number.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your online application or the OINP e Filing Portal, please send us an email at OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca, and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

March

March 10, 2017

Please be advised that the deadline to submit your application under Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream may be fast approaching.

Clarification:

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) would like to clarify the deadlines for the HCP Stream:

  1. Your Notification of Interest (NOI) is valid for 6 months. This means that you must register a profile for the HCP Stream in the OINP e-Filing Portal within 6 months of receiving your NOI from Ontario.
  2. Once you register a profile for the HCP Stream in the OINP e Filing Portal, you must submit your complete application to the HCP Stream within 14 calendar days.

The 14 day deadline to apply following registration for the HCP Stream must not be confused with the validity period of your NOI from Ontario.

Questions

If you have questions about the requirements of the HCP Stream, you can contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca. Be sure to include your Express Entry number.

If you are experiencing technical issues with your online application or the OINP e Filing Portal, please send us an email at OINP.technical-POCI.technique@ontario.ca and include as much detail as possible about the issue.

March 7, 2017

Update to the reconsideration process

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) gives applicants an opportunity to seek a review or reconsideration of the refusal decision of their application. The reconsideration process is in place to provide applicants recourse to the refusal of their application should they feel an error was made by the program in its assessment.

Effective March 10, 2017, the OINP will no longer accept written requests for reconsideration submitted by mail. Applicants will be required to send all requests for reconsideration by email to reconsiderations@ontario.ca within 30 calendar days of the date on their refusal letter. In the email, applicants must clearly identify what error(s) they believe was/were made in the assessment of their application. The error(s) identified must be related to the stated reason(s) for the refusal of their application.

Please note that a reconsideration request will consider eligibility at the time of the original application. A decision will not be reconsidered on the basis of a change in circumstances after the application was submitted and will not take into consideration new information or documentation that was not submitted to the program during the initial application assessment. In these instances, applicants should submit a new application to the program. Applicants submitting a new application are required to pay the application fee for the new application.

Note: Please be advised that the OINP will continue to accept and assess any requests for reconsideration received by March 10, 2017. Any requests received by mail after March 10, 2017 will be returned.

Please monitor this OINP update webpage for news, announcements and program developments.

March 3, 2017

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has developed a “Tip Sheet” to help registrants complete their online application through the e Filing Portal.

February

February 27, 2017

Re: Deadline for Submitting Online Applications through the OINP e-Filing Portal

In order to be responsive to unprecedented application-volume demand on the system, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has revised the deadline from seven to 14 calendar days to submit applications through the e-Filing Portal for the following streams:

  • International Masters Graduate Stream
  • International PhD Graduate Stream
  • Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream

Once you successfully register a profile under any of the above streams through the OINP e Filing Portal, you now have 14 calendar days to complete your application. ‎We are making every effort to ensure we have the technical capacity to meet volume demands and we will continue to monitor the system 24 hours a day, to address any issues.

February 24, 2017

Re: International Masters Graduate and PhD Streams have reached their registration intake limits

Please note that the International Masters and PhD Graduate Streams have reached their registration intake limits at this time. No registrations can be accepted through these streams at this time.

The OINP will resume accepting applications for these streams within the next three months. Please check the OINP Updates webpage on May 1, 2017 for an update on when these streams will likely reopen.

To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP is monitoring the volume of applications to the International Masters Graduate, International PhD Graduate, and Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities streams throughout the year. These streams will be paused and reopened periodically until the province’s 2017 federal allocation is fulfilled. Stakeholders will be informed when streams are temporarily paused and reopened via the OINP Updates page.

If you have successfully created a registration for the International Masters Graduate Stream or International PhD Graduate Stream and received a confirmation number from the OINP e-Filing System, you may continue with your application. You have seven calendar days to complete your application after registering.

Other temporarily paused streams will reopen in the coming months.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

February 23, 2017

Please note that the International Masters Graduate Stream has reached its registration intake limit at this time. No registrations can be accepted through this stream at this time.

The OINP will resume accepting applications for this stream within the next three months. Please check the OINP Updates webpage on May 1, 2017 for an update on when this stream will likely reopen.

To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP is monitoring the volume of applications to the International Masters Graduate, International PhD Graduate, and Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities streams throughout the year. These streams will be paused and reopened periodically until the province’s 2017 federal allocation is fulfilled. Stakeholders will be informed when streams are temporarily paused and reopened via the OINP Updates page.

If you have successfully created a registration for the International Masters Graduate Stream and received a confirmation number from the OINP e-Filing System, you may continue with your application. You have seven calendar days to complete your application after registering.

Other temporarily paused streams will reopen in the coming months.

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

February 22, 2017

ONe-key enrolment number and PIN issue

Please note: Some users of the OINP e-Filing system are being redirected to a ONe-key page asking for an “Enrollment Number and PIN”. This is a system error.

If you are redirected to the page asking for an “Enrollment Number and PIN”, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Stream’s application webpage:
  2. Click on the link to submit an application online.
  3. Set up a NEW ONe-key registration by clicking: “Don't have a ONe-key ID? Sign up now!”
  4. After registering a new ONe-key account, you should be directed automatically into the OINP e-Filing system.
  5. If these actions do not resolve the issue, please repeat these steps.

The ONe-key system is currently experiencing performance and stability issues. You may need to repeat these steps several times before it is possible to access the OINP e-Filing system.

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is working to resolve this issue as soon as possible and will provide updates through the OINP Updates webpage. We apologize for the inconvenience.

February 21, 2017

Re: International Masters and PhD Graduate Streams and Human Capital Priorities Stream now open

The OINP is now accepting 2017 applications for the International Masters Graduate Stream and International PhD Graduate Stream.

The OINP is also reopening the Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream. The OINP is now identifying qualified applicants from the federal government’s Express Entry pool and will issue Notifications of Interest to applicants that meet the criteria.

The OINP has also launched online application systems for these streams to improve customer service, help improve processing times and make it easier to apply.

To ensure processing efficiency and quality customer service, the OINP will be monitoring the volume of applications to each of these streams. These streams will be paused and reopened periodically throughout the year until the province’s 2017 federal allocation is fulfilled. Stakeholders will be informed when streams are temporarily paused and reopened again via this OINP Updates page.

Please refer to the application guides for further details on applying to each of these streams.

New for the International Masters Graduate Stream
Changes have been made to the International Masters Graduate Stream. Applicants can now apply if they are residing in Ontario or abroad and have the option of obtaining their language test through the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).

The OINP is committed to improving its client experience and online application systems. For example, the OINP is reviewing its employer-driven streams to better respond to employer needs and help improve processing times. Online application systems are also being developed over the coming months for the employer-driven streams and will be in place as these streams reopen.

Questions?

Please monitor this OINP Updates page for news, announcements and program developments.

February 16, 2017

Re: International Masters and PhD Graduate Streams and Human Capital Priorities Stream to reopen next week with online application systems

Next week, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will be reopening and launching online applications for the:

  1. International PhD Graduate Stream
  2. International Masters Graduate Stream, and
  3. Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream.

For the international student streams, eligible applicants must have graduated from a publicly funded Ontario university.

For more efficient processing of applications, the International PhD Graduate, International Masters Graduate, and Human Capital Priorities streams will pause and reopen periodically.

New for International Masters Graduate Stream
When this stream reopens, eligible applicants will now be able to apply if they are residing outside Ontario. Applicants will also now have the option of using an alternate service provider to obtain their language test.

Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream
When this stream reopens, the OINP will begin searching the federal government’s Express Entry pool for qualified applicants and issue Notifications of Interest.

Please check this webpage for further updates on February 21, 2017.

For more information and facts about the OINP, please see: news release, fact sheet.

January

January 23, 2017

RE: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has launched a new online application process to make it easier to apply to the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream and to help improve processing times for applicants.

Our ministry is committed to improving its application and business systems with a focus on enhancing client service. Additional online application systems are being developed over the coming months.

Please refer to the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream Application Guide for further details on this stream

Please monitor the OINP updates webpage for news, announcements and new developments in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

Ontario is dedicated to celebrating and furthering the 400 years of Francophone culture in our province, and we are working towards meeting the Ontario Immigration Strategy’s goal of five per cent Francophone immigration.

In November 2016, members of the Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration submitted a report to help guide our efforts and resources to increase Francophone immigration to Ontario.

We have already started to implement some of the recommendations, with an early focus on international promotion and attraction.

Note: If you received a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario before January 23, 2017, you may submit a paper application to the OINP by mail. If you received a NOI after January 23, 2017, you must submit your application online.

January 12, 2017

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has fulfilled its 2016 federal nomination allocation

The OINP will continue to process applications already received. Any additional nominations will go towards Ontario’s 2017 allocation.

Please note that the temporary pause on the intake of applications for the following streams is still in effect: Human Capital Priorities (Express Entry), Employer Pre-screen, International Student (Masters Graduate) and International Student (PhD Graduate).

The OINP will continue to introduce online application systems in 2017 to make it easier for clients to apply and improve processing times.

Please monitor this OINP update webpage for news, announcements and new developments in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.