Immigration to Ontario
Immigrating to Ontario is a dream many applicants have when considering moving to Canada. This province is one of the most popular in Canada and serves as the economic hub of the country, consistently boasting the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among Canadian provinces.
In this article, we’ll take a look at information relevant to you as someone who wants to immigrate to Ontario. By reading this, you’ll become familiar with the conditions and steps for immigration to Ontario, as well as the requirements for permanent residency in Ontario.
Ontario Job Offer Category
Ontario Business Category – Entrepreneurship
The following programs fall under the human capital category, specifically within the Ontario Express Entry stream:
Human Capital Priorities: This category includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Ontario Skilled Trades: For individuals with relevant work experience in Ontario in a qualifying trade job.
French-Speaking Skilled Worker: This program operates similarly to Human Capital Priorities through the FSWP and CEC. Applicants in this category must have strong skills in both French and English.
If you receive a nomination through Ontario Express Entry, you will be notified. After that, you must either accept or decline it. If you accept this nomination, you will receive an additional 600 CRS points. This means you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in all Express Entry draws.
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Requirements for the Ontario Express Entry program
Sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family
Proof of intent to live in Ontario
You must also meet the following criteria concerning this category to apply for immigration to Ontario, Canada through this program.
| Category | Needs a Job Offer? | Aligned with Express Entry? | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Priorities Program | No | Yes | Express Entry Profile & At least one year of full-time work experience & Bachelor's or Master's or Doctorate degree & CLB 7 or higher in English or French |
| French-Speaking Skilled Worker Program | No | Yes | Express Entry Profile & At least one year of full-time work experience & Bachelor's or Master's or Doctorate degree & CLB 7 or higher in French and CLB 6 or higher in English |
| Skilled Trades Workforce | No | Yes | Valid Express Entry Profile & At least one year of full-time work experience & Valid diploma or certification & Must currently reside in Ontario and hold a valid work visa at the time of application & CLB 5 or higher (English or French) |
Sub-category for Master's and PhD Graduates
The Ontario Foreign Graduate program is not aligned with Express Entry. As an applicant, you need to create a profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):
Master’s Graduate Program: For individuals who have obtained a master’s degree from an Ontario university.
PhD Graduate Program: For individuals who have obtained a PhD from an Ontario university.
Application fee: CAD 1,500
Processing time: 30-60 days
| Category | Requires job offer? | Is it aligned with Express Entry? | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Program | No | No | Master's degree from an accredited Ontario university & CLB 7 or higher (English or French) & Must have legally resided in Ontario for at least 1 year in the past 2 years. |
| PhD Program | No | No | Master's degree from an accredited Ontario university & Must have legally resided in Ontario for at least 1 year in the past 2 years. |
Employer Job Offer Category
The Ontario Job Offer program includes three subcategories and one regional pilot program:
Foreign Worker Program: For skilled workers
International Students: For graduates of Ontario post-secondary institutions
In-Demand Skills Program: For semi-skilled workers in specific sectors, like agriculture, construction, and transportation
Regional Pilot Program: For workers needed in rural and low-population areas of Ontario
| Program | Application fee | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Program and In-Demand Skills Program | CAD 1500 if job offer is outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and CAD 2000 if job offer is within the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto or Durham or Halton or York and Peel) | 60 to 90 days |
| International Student Program | CAD 1500 | 90 to 120 days |
Minimum required conditions
You must have a full-time and permanent job offer in Ontario.
You must have the required work experience, licenses, or other permits needed to do the job.
You must intend to live in Ontario.
| Category | Requires job offer? | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Worker Program | Yes | Two years of work experience & Pay should be above the average wage in Ontario with |
| Skilled Trades Program | Yes | Must be on the list of in-demand occupations & 9 months of work experience required & CLB 4 or higher & High school diploma & Pay must be above the average wage in Ontario |
| Technical Worker Program | Yes | Pay must be above the wage level in Ontario & Diploma or degree from a Canadian institution |
How does this category work?
First, you need to create a profile in the OINP e-filing portal and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI). Ontario regularly holds provincial draws to invite the highest-ranked candidates. If invited, you will receive a notification in the portal and must submit your application within 14 days.
Read more on the Ontario job offer program page.
Business Category - Ontario Entrepreneurship
The business category is for those looking to start a business or buy an existing business in Ontario.
The only program under the business category is the Ontario Entrepreneur Program, which is currently on hold.
Introduction to Ontario Province
Why should I immigrate to Ontario?
High cultural diversity
Interesting to know, over half of the people living in Toronto were born outside Canada. As the top destination for immigrants in the country, this province receives one-third of all immigrants to Canada each year. This has increased the cultural richness in the province, allowing you to experience the cultures of many countries by living in just one city.
Endless job opportunities
There are countless job opportunities in Toronto and the surrounding cities. Many major companies have offices in Toronto, such as Apple, Coca-Cola, Google, Microsoft, Asus, Intel, SAP, and Citibank. Key industries in this province include finance, technology, film and media, and tourism, providing a wealth of job opportunities for immigrants. Thus, working in Ontario is an ideal option for skilled workers from around the world.
Prestigious universities
Ontario also boasts some of the best universities in the world, 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, the University of Guelph, and more. Therefore, studying in Ontario could be a dream option for you.
Iranians immigration to Ontario
Migration to Ontario has always been of interest to Iranians. In 2021, applicants for Ontario’s provincial immigration programs came from over 130 different countries, with 116 nominations going to Iranians. In the table below, you can see the number of nominations issued under the OINP program broken down by various countries.
| Country of Origin | Number of Nominations |
|---|---|
| India | 4332 |
| China | 1736 |
| Nigeria | 438 |
| Pakistan | 211 |
| Brazil | 210 |
| South Korea | 139 |
| Iran | 116 |
| Morocco | 114 |
| Philippines | 108 |
| Portugal | 100 |
How many nominations does Ontario province have?
Every year, the federal government allocates a certain number of nominations to the Ontario government (OINP) through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In 2022, the nominations assigned to Ontario were 9,750, and by July 11, 2022, 4,496 nominations had been issued.
Study Immigration to Ontario
As the province with the most academic institutions among Canadian provinces, Ontario is definitely a major destination for those looking to immigrate through study. The universities of Toronto, Queen’s, McMaster, and York located in Ontario are among those pushing the boundaries of science globally.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Ontario's provincial immigration program require a job offer?
The Ontario Human Capital program does not require a job offer. It includes the following streams:
Human Capital Priorities stream
French-speaking Skilled Worker stream
Skilled Trades stream
Master’s Graduate stream
PhD Graduate stream
How can I apply for Ontario's PNP through Express Entry?
If you have a profile in the Federal Express Entry system and are interested in immigrating to Ontario, you first need to register for a One-Key account on the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) website and apply through the stream you qualify for. Then, upload your documents.
If approved, you will receive a nomination confirmation letter, a work permit support letter, and a nomination certificate via email.
You will also receive your nomination through the Express Entry system. Once accepted, you’ll get an additional 600 points. This effectively guarantees that you will be invited to apply for permanent residency in the next Express Entry draw.
How does Ontario's provincial immigration program work?
For the Human Capital category (except for the Master’s and PhD programs), you need to register for a One-Key account on the Ontario provincial immigration program (OINP) website. Create a profile, fill out your application on the website, and upload the required documents. For the Employer Job Offer category, you must first create a profile in the e-Filing Portal and register your interest.
Ontario regularly conducts its draw to invite high-ranked candidates. If you are invited, you will receive a notification in your portal, and you must submit your application within 14 days.
For the Business category, you first need to send an email to OINP requesting a registration form. After completing the form, send it back to the same email. By doing this, your request will enter the pool or pool of applicants immigrating to Ontario through the business program. If you are among those who score the highest, you will be invited to submit your application for the employer program. This is done through the OINP e-Filing Portal.
How long does the immigration process to Ontario take?
The processing time for the Human Capital category is 30 to 60 days. For the Employer Job Offer category, it takes 60 to 90 days. The International Student stream lasts 90 to 120 days. For the Business category, the processing of the Expression of Interest (EOI) takes less than 30 days, but the processing time for applications depends on the complexity of the program.
When does the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) open?
All immigration programs for the province of Ontario are currently open and accepting applicants. The streams under the employer job offer program, as well as the streams for master’s and doctoral graduates under the human capital category, are now working with the Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This means that interested candidates can register their interest on the province’s website at any time of the year. Keep in mind that your registration will be valid for 12 months.
The remaining streams under the human capital category operate through the federal Express Entry system. All of these streams are currently open.
How can I qualify for Ontario's provincial program?
There are various ways to immigrate to Ontario through its PNP program. It’s important to know the different immigration categories you may qualify for.
For instance, you don’t need a job offer to qualify for one of the streams under the human capital subset. If you do have a job offer from an employer willing to sponsor you, you can qualify through the employer job offer category, regardless of where you live at the time of application.
If you’re looking to start a business in Ontario or purchase an existing business, you might want to consider the business category. For each of these options, it’s crucial to first check whether you qualify or not.