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Navigating the OINP: A Comprehensive Guide to the Foreign Worker Stream

Image: An image of the Toronto, Ontario skyline at dusk featuring the waterfront and CN Tower.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Understanding the OINP Foreign Worker Stream

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Overview

TEER categories

Eligibility Criteria

Job Offer Requirements:

  • The job offer must fall under TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
  • The position must be permanent and full-time, and the employer must have a minimum number of full-time employees at the work location.
  • Job offers should be carefully considered to ensure they do not negatively impact the employment status of a person involved in a labour dispute.
  • This stream is open to foreign workers both inside and outside Canada.
  • Physicians and self-employed professionals are also eligible.

Employer requirements

  • Worker is in Canada, Ontario residing.
  • Company has to be established in Ontario for 2 years
  • Worker has to be employee for how long – minimum 6 months for points. If employment time is more than 9 months more points for CRS.

Application Process

1. Expression of Interest (EOI):
2. Invitation to Apply:
  • If your EOI is selected, you will receive an invitation to apply online for nomination by the Ontario government.
3. Provincial Nomination:

Once nominated, you can apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to become a permanent resident, as they make the final decision on permanent residency.

Applicants must have a valid work permit if they are currently in Ontario. If they do not, additional steps regarding recruitment efforts for Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be adhered to in the application process.

4. Job Offer Requirements
  • The job offer must adhere to specific criteria, including effective dates and approved minimum wages.
  • The job offer must not negatively impact the employment status of individuals involved in a labour dispute.
  • It should meet the terms and conditions stipulated by the OINP.
  • A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Service Canada is required to confirm that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the local labor market.
5. Next Steps:
  • If nominated, apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

Scoring Factors for OINP

  • Length of Employment: The duration of your employment in Ontario.
  • Education: Your educational qualifications. The number of family members, including both accompanying and non-accompanying dependents, is a critical factor in calculating the required settlement amounts.
  • Type of Job Offered: The category and nature of the job offered.
  • Wage: The salary offered for the position.
  • Location: The geographic location of the job within Ontario.
  • Language Proficiency: Your ability to communicate in English or French.

The Human Capital Priorities Stream also considers these scoring factors when evaluating candidates for nomination.

Timing and Application Considerations for OINP

  • A nomination approval letter.
  • A work permit support letter (if applicable).
  • A nomination certificate.

The In-Demand Skills Stream focuses on job offers in eligible occupations categorized under TEER categories 4 and 5, particularly outside the Greater Toronto Area.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Processing

The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) processing is a crucial step in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) application process. Once you receive a nomination from the OINP, your application is forwarded to CIC for further assessment. This stage is essential as CIC evaluates whether you meet the federal requirements for permanent residence in Canada. The federal requirements include health, security, and criminality checks to ensure that all applicants are admissible to Canada. Successfully passing this stage brings you one step closer to achieving permanent residence, allowing you to live and work in Ontario.

Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Benefits

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers several significant benefits to those who are nominated for permanent residence in Canada:

  1. Priority Processing: OINP applications are given priority, meaning they are processed faster than other immigration applications. This expedited process helps applicants start their new lives in Ontario sooner.
  2. Increased Chances of Approval: Applications through the OINP have a higher likelihood of approval compared to other immigration pathways, providing a more secure route to permanent residence.
  3. Opportunity to Live and Work in Ontario: Being one of Canada’s most economically developed provinces, Ontario offers numerous job opportunities and a high standard of living. OINP applicants can take advantage of these benefits.
  4. Pathway to Permanent Residence: The OINP serves as a direct pathway to permanent residence in Canada, eventually allowing applicants to become Canadian citizens.
  5. Family Sponsorship: Once you are settled, you can sponsor your family members to join you in Canada, ensuring that your loved ones can also benefit from the opportunities available in Ontario.

These benefits make the OINP an attractive option for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international students looking to establish a new life in Canada.

Take the Next Step

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Conclusion

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is a highly regarded immigration program that provides a pathway to permanent residence in Canada. Designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international students, the OINP helps bolster Ontario’s economic development. The application process involves several steps, including submitting an expression of interest, receiving a notification of interest, and applying for nomination. Once nominated, the application is sent to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for further processing to ensure all federal requirements are met. The OINP offers numerous benefits, such as priority processing, increased chances of approval, and the opportunity to live and work in one of Canada’s most prosperous provinces. By understanding and navigating the OINP, applicants can take significant steps toward achieving permanent residence and building a successful future in Ontario.

FAQs about OINP Foreign worker stream

Who is eligible for OINP?

Eligibility varies by stream but generally includes skilled workers, international students, and entrepreneurs with job offers, relevant work experience, or education in Ontario.

Are OINP and PNP the same?

No, OINP is Ontario’s specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It’s a part of the broader PNP system.

How many points are required for OINP?

For the Human Capital Priorities stream, a minimum of 400 CRS points is required.

What is the immigrant nominee program in Ontario?

OINP is Ontario’s program to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on their ability to contribute to the province’s economy.

How hard is it to get an Ontario nomination?

It can be competitive, depending on the stream and the applicant pool.

What is the score required for Ontario PNP?

Varies by stream, but for Express Entry Human Capital Priorities, a minimum of 400 CRS points is needed.

Is a job offer required for OINP?

Not for all streams. Some streams, like Employer Job Offer streams, require a job offer, while others don’t.

How much experience is required for OINP?

Varies by stream. For example, some require at least one year of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation.

How to get invited for OINP?

Create an Express Entry profile, meet eligibility criteria for the desired OINP stream, and wait for a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario.

Take the Next Step

Contact Syndesus – Book A Free Consultation for Detailed Guidance and Advice on OINP.

The content and materials available via Syndesus are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice

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About Marc Pavlopoulos

I founded a company (Syndesus) that builds engineering teams in Canada for VC backed startups in the US, and offers Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services for US companies seeking to employ workers remotely in Canada. Additionally, Syndesus can assist foreign born tech workers (and their US employers) with options for working remotely in Canada if they cannot stay in the US due to immigration/work visa issues.

New venture (Path to Canada) helps foreign born technical workers who cannot stay in the US (for immigration reasons) get a job and work authorization to work in Canada.

I am the son of an immigrant. I have great respect for people who leave their home country and seek a better life in the US or Canada. I want to do everything I can to help them achieve their dreams. As an American who has moved to Canada twice (for grad school and for work), I understand the challenges involved in starting a new life in a new country.