Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP Draw) 2026

Ontario is situated in central Canada. It is one of the most populous provinces, yet one of the most reputable. This Canadian province is also known for having one of Canada's largest economies, simultaneously generating abundant employment opportunities. 

Ontario is also a part of the Canada PNP program. Therefore, it has a separate PNP program named the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. This Canadian province uses the OINP Canada program to attract skilled professionals to fill the labour deficit by offering them permanent residency. 

Are you looking to immigrate to Canada as a pr holder but do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Express Entry system? Don’t worry because OINP Canada can be your gateway to endless opportunities. 

This comprehensive guide will provide every detail about the Ontario PNP program, its eligibility requirements, process, fee and every other detail. But, before proceeding, let us explain to you the meaning of the Ontario immigrant nominee program. 

What is the Ontario immigrant nominee program? 

OINP – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is an immigration pathway for candidates who want to live in Ontario as permanent Canadian residents. Foreign skilled workers, international students, and others with the required skill sets and experience can apply for a provincial nomination through OINP.

Ontario immigrant provincial nominee program (OINP) allows the province to nominate immigrants with the skills and experience needed in the labour market, with the federal government making the final decision on the application for permanent residency in Canada of the applicant.

Different categories under the Canada Ontario provincial nominee program

OINP has three different immigration categories for immigrants to apply for provincial nomination. These categories are:

1. Employer job offer category 

This category is for temporary workers with a valid job offer from an eligible employer in the province. There are three sub-categories:  

• Foreign worker stream –Immigrants with work experience in a skilled occupation.
• International student stream –It's for recent graduates from an eligible education institution of the province.
• In-demand skills stream – This stream is for skilled workers in specifically targeted occupations such as agriculture, construction, trucking, and personal workers supports.

2. Human capital category

This category is an “enhanced” stream of Canada that allows the province to search for skilled candidates in the federal government’s express entry program. There are two streams under this OINP’s Human Capital category:

• International graduates – To be eligible to apply under this category, recent graduates must apply within two years of getting their degree from an eligible educational institution in the province. There are two sub-streams:

1. Master graduate stream
2. Ph.D. graduate stream

• Ontario PNP express entry stream – To be eligible to apply under this stream for a provincial nomination, candidates must have received an NOI – notification of interest from the province and have an up-to-date profile in the express entry program. There are three sub-streams under this stream.

1. French-speaking skilled worker stream – This stream is for skilled immigrants who are proficient in the French language and have the required work experience and education.
2. Human capital priorities stream – This stream is for skilled workers with the required work experience, education, and language proficiency in either English or French.
3. Skilled trades stream – This stream is for immigrants with work experience in the province in an eligible trade occupation. 

3. Business category

This category is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or buy an existing business in the province. There is only one stream under the business category – the Entrepreneur stream. 

Candidates whose applications have been successfully processed will get a temporary work permit support letter (based on your performance agreement) to set up a business in the province. 

If the investment and job creation agreements described in the performance agreement are respected, entrepreneurs can be nominated for permanent resident status in Canada.

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program eligibility criteria 

The following tabular representation explains the eligibility criteria of different categories under the Ontario immigrant nominee program. 

Documents the requirements for the Ontario PNP program

The following is the list of documents the candidate is required to submit. When submitting their application for a provincial nomination through OINP’s Express Entry Human Capital priorities stream: 

• NOI from Ontario
• Identity documents
• Status documents in Canada
• Education documents
• Language test results (IELTS scores)
• Documents to support your employees in Ontario (if applicable) and your work history
• Documents to demonstrate that you meet the settlement funds requirement
• Resume
• Other optional documents (if applicable)

The following information explains the application process for Ontario provincial nominee program. 

1. Ensure the eligibility 

One of the first steps in the application process for OINP Canada is for the candidate to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria for the Ontario PNP program. 

2. Select the most suitable program 

The candidate must select the most suitable Ontario immigration stream that aligns with their eligibility. 

3. Send an EOI(Expression of Interest) 

After selecting the most suitable Canada immigration program, the candidate must send an EOI or expression of interest to the Ontario PNP authority to demonstrate their interest in living, working and studying in the province and how they can contribute to the province’s economy. 

4. Receive NOI (Notification on Interest) 

The immigration authority successfully reviews the candidate’s EOI and is impressed with their background and every detail they have provided, the immigration authority will send the candidate an NOI to initiate the further application process. 

5. Submission of documents 

After getting the NOI from the authorities, the candidate will have 45 days to submit their documents to the Ontario PNP authorities for further application process. 

6. Creation of account 

After that, they can create their account by visiting the official website of Ontario immigration. The candidate is required to provide all necessary information while creating the account. 

7. Nomination from Ontario 

After the candidate creates their profile, the Ontario PNP authorities will assess their application. If the candidate’s application aligns with the economic requirements of Ontario, they will send them the provincial nomination. 

The provincial nomination will add up to 600 points to the candidate’s overall CRS score, making their profile even stronger in the express entry pool. 

8. Get the ITA(Invitation to Apply) 

After that, if the candidate gets a competitive CRS Score, they will get the ITA(invitation to apply) from the immigration authority. 

9. Submission of application 

The candidate will then have 60 days to submit the completed application along with all necessary paperwork. The candidates must ensure that the information they provide is accurate and true because any false information can cause their application to be rejected and might restrict them from entering Canada. 

10. Wait for confirmation 

Now, the candidate must wait for the confirmation of their application from Ontario’s PNP authority. If their application is selected, they will receive the COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residency).