Ontario-OINP International Student Stream For Permanent Residency

Last Updated On 10 July 2024, 5:17 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

The Ontario-OINP International Student Stream offers a promising permanent residency pathway for international students graduating across Canada.

A route to permanent residency in Canada is provided for many of these students by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) International Student Stream.

In this article, we will delve into detailed eligibility requirements, Ontario PNP international student stream processing time, and how to apply.

What is the Ontario-OINP International Student Stream

Ontario provincial nominee program (PNP) is officially known as Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

The OINP International Student Stream seeks to retain qualified foreign graduates who have completed their studies at qualifying Canadian educational institutions from any province, by offering them a pathway to permanent residency.

International Student Stream Eligibility

Candidates for the International Student Stream have to fulfill a number of requirements in relation to their education, employment offer, language ability, and other factors, including the preparation of a writing service thesis.

Below is a detailed explanation of these requirements:

1. Education

As per OINP, you must demonstrate that you have received one of the following eligible credentials.

an undergraduate degree or diploma that requires at least two years if pursued full-time at an authorized Canadian institution.
a graduate degree or diploma that requires at least one year if pursued full-time at an accredited Canadian institution.
a college graduate certificate that takes at least one year to earn if pursued full-time at an appropriate Ontario institution.
a university graduate certificate that takes at least one year to obtain when pursued full-time from an authorized Ontario institution.

2. Language Proficiency

Although speaking French or English is not a mandatory requirement for the International Student Stream, it will help boost your score and increase your chances of being selected by OINP.

For example, CLB level 6 in English or French translates to ‘0’ points, whereas CLB level 9 can give you 10 points in this stream.

Click here for full scoring matrix to calculate your scores.

3. Job Offer Requirements

You must have a full-time (1,560 hours per year), permanent job offer with no end date from an Ontario employer in TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 (NOC 0, A or B).

The job offer has to match the prevailing pay rates for that occupation in the specific region in Ontario where the work will be done.

You must have a licensure or authorization from the relevant regulatory body in Ontario at the time of application, if your job offer occupation is regulated in the province.

4. Intention to reside in Canada

Upon nomination, candidates must prove that they intend to reside and work in Ontario which can be demonstrated by one of the following:

previously worked or currently working in Ontario
having job offers at hand or interviewing for different jobs.
study from the province
leasing or owning property
having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships

Since a job offer is mandatory for international students, it should suffice to demonstrate your intention to reside in the province.

5. Legal Status in Canada

You must have legal status (a visiting record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application if you are applying from within Canada, and you must keep that status until the nomination.

You are still eligible to apply, if you are in “maintained status” when you submit your OINP application.

“Maintained status” refers to the fact that you applied to IRCC in advance of the document’s expiration date in order to renew or extend your temporary status document (a work permit, study permit, or visitor record).

How to Calculate OINP International Student Stream Scores?

You can use the below scoring matrix to calculate your scores:

Employment / labour market factors

Job offer: NOC TEER category

NOC TEER 0 or 1 – 10 Points
NOC TEER 2 or 3 – 8 Points
NOC TEER 4 – 0 Points
NOC TEER 5 – 0 Points

Job offer:
NOC broad occupational category

Occupational Category 0, 2, 3, – 10 points
Occupational Category 7 – 7 points
Occupational Category 1, 9 – 5 points
Occupational Category 4, 8 – 4 points
Occupational Category 5, 6 – 3 points

Job offer: wage

$40 per hour or higher – 10 points
$35 to $39.99 per hour – 8 points
$30 to $34.99 per hour – 7 points
$25 to $29.99 per hour (6 points)
$20 to $24.99 per hour—5 points
Less than $20 per hour – 0 points

Work or study permit status

With valid work or study permit – 10 points
Without valid work or study permit – 0 points

The work or study permit must confer legal status.

Job tenure with job offer employer

6 months or more working in job offer position – 3 points
Less than 6 months working in job offer position or not currently working in position – 0 points

The work in the job offer position must have occurred within Ontario.

Earnings history

As per the Notice of Assessment issued by the CRA in the last five years,.

$40k or more earnings in a year – 3 points
Less than $40k earnings in a year – 0 points

Education

Highest level of education

Canadian credential or Educational Credential Assessment required.

PhD – 10 points
Masters – 8 points
Bachelors or equivalent – 6 points
Graduate diploma or certificate – 6 points
Undergraduate diploma or certificate – 5 points
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma – 5 points
College diploma or trade certificate – 5 points
Less than college or trade certificate – 0 points

Field of study

Points are awarded based on the field of study of the eligible education credential being used for the OINP application.

STEM/Health (Engineering, Health, Math, Computer Science) and Trades (agriculture and natural resources operations and management, mechanics and repair, architecture, construction and precision production) – 12 points
Business and administration, social, legal, education, behavioral science, personal, security and transport services, social work and related programs – 6 points
Arts and humanities, business, humanities, arts, social science and education (BHASE), programs and programs that are not elsewhere classified (n.e.c) – 0 points

Canadian education experience

Credential must be a post-secondary education credential from an eligible Canadian institution that takes at least one year to complete on a full-time basis.

More than one Canadian credential – 10 points
One Canadian credential – 5 points

Language

Official language ability

CLB 9 or higher – 10 points
CLB 8 – 6 points
CLB 7 – 4 points
CLB 6 or lower – 0 points

Knowledge of official languages

2 Official Languages – 10 points (a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 in one official language and a minimum CLB 6 in the second official language)
1 Official Language – 5 points

Regionalization

Regional immigration: location of job offer

Northern Ontario – 10 points
Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario) – 8 points
Inside GTA (except Toronto) – 3 points
Toronto – 0 points

Regional immigration: location of study (where you physically attended classes)

Credential was completed without physically attending (in-person) classes; 0 points

Northern Ontario – 10 points

Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario): 8 points

Inside GTA (except Toronto): 3 points

Toronto: 0 points

How to Apply

There are a few stages in the International Student Stream. Here are the step-wise instructions to get you through the procedure:

First step: Get a Job Offer First

Secure a legitimate employment offer from a qualified Ontario firm first. Verify if the position satisfies the salary requirements and the NOC requirements.

Your employer need to fill out and sign the Application for Approval of an Employment Position (Employer Form).

Eligible employers are those who have been in active business for at least 3 years and have annual gross revenue of $500,000 outside the Greater Toronto Area.

Employers need a gross revenue of $1 Million if they are inside the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions).

Second step: Gather Documentation

Get the supporting paperwork ready for your application. Normally, this covers:

Documentation of Education: Certificates of degrees and diplomas.

Acceptance of Employment: The employer form and the letter of job offer.

Copy of your present employment, study, or visitor permit as proof of legal status.

Evidence of Intent to Reside in Ontario: A lease, utility bills, or employment offer.

Third step: e-Filing Portal of the OINP

Expression of Interest (EOI): To submit an EOI to the OINP, register by building a profile on the e-Filing Portal.

Your profile will be assigned a score based on things like work experience, education, language proficiency, employment offers.

Then OINP conducts a round of invitations declaring the cutoff score. If your EOI score is higher than cutoff, the you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

This invitation enables you to send in a complete nomination application.

Fourth Step: Send in Your Application

Get together all the necessary paperwork, such as your Canadian status, job offer, and proof of schooling.

To respond to an invitation to apply, you only have 14 days after receiving the ITA, to submit your complete application in the OINP e-Filing Portal.

The International Student Stream requires a processing payment of CAD 1,500.

After submitting your application, wait for the processing of your PR application.

What are the eligible Canadian Institutions for OINP International Student Stream?

Eligible Ontario institutions

Colleges

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology
Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology
Centennial College
Collège Boréal
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology
Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology
Fleming College of Applied Arts and Technology
George Brown College
Georgian College
Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
La Cité collégiale
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology
Michener Institute of Education at UHN
Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology
Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology
Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology
Royal Military College of Canada
Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology
St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology
St. Lawrence College of Applied Arts and Technology

Universities

Algoma University
Brock University
Carleton University
Lakehead University
Laurentian University
McMaster University
Nipissing University
Ontario College of Art and Design University
Queen’s University
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
Trent University
University of Guelph
Université de Hearst
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Ottawa
University of Sudbury
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
University of Windsor
Western University
Wilfrid Laurier University
York University

Universities that offer Graduate Certificate of at least one year in duration

Algoma University
Trent University
University of Windsor
York University

Indigenous Institutes

Six Nations Polytechnic

Eligible Canadian institutions

Alberta

Colleges

Alberta College of Art and Design
Banff Centre
Bow Valley College
Grande Prairie Regional College
Keyano College
Lakeland College
Lethbridge College
Medicine Hat College
NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)
NorQuest College
Northern Lakes College
Olds College
Portage College
Red Deer College
SAIT – Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Universities

Athabasca University
MacEwen University
Mount Royal University
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Lethbridge

British Columbia

Colleges

British Columbia Institute of Technology
Camosun College
College of New Caledonia
College of the Rockies
Douglas College
Justice Institute of British Columbia
Langara College
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
North Island College
Northern Lights College
Northwest Community College
Okanagan College
Selkirk College – Castelgar Campus
Vancouver Community College

Universities

Capilano University
Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design
Kwantlen University College
Royal Roads University
Simon Fraser University
Thompson Rivers University
University of British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
University of the Fraser Valley
University of Victoria
Vancouver Island University

Manitoba

Colleges

Assiniboine Community College
École technique et professionnelle
Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology

Universities

Brandon University
University of Winnipeg
Université de Saint-Boniface
University College of the North
University of Manitoba

New Brunswick

Colleges

Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick
Maritime College of Forest Technology
New Brunswick College of Craft and Design
New Brunswick Community College

Universities

Mount Allison University
St. Thomas University
Université de Moncton
University of New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Colleges

Centre for Nursing Studies
College of the North Atlantic
Western Regional School of Nursing

Universities

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Northwest Territories

Colleges

Aurora College

Nova Scotia

Colleges

Nova Scotia Community College

Universities

Acadia University
Atlantic School of Theology
Cape Breton University
Dalhousie University
Mount Saint Vincent University
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University)
Saint Mary’s University
St. Francis Xavier University
Université Sainte-Anne
University of King’s College (Associated with Dalhousie University)

Nunavut

Colleges

Nunavut Arctic College

Prince Edward Island

Colleges

Collège de l’île
Holland College

Universities

University of Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Colleges

Cégep André-Laurendeau
Cégep Beauce-Appalaches
Cégep d’Ahuntsic
Cégep de Baie-Comeau
Cégep de Bois-de-Boulogne
Cégep de Chicoutimi
Cégep de Drummondville
Cégep de Granby Haute-Yamaska
Cégep de Jonquière
Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Cégep de l’Outaouais
Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles
Cégep de la Pocatière
Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon
Cégep de Maisonneuve
Cégep de Matane
Cégep de Rimouski
Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup
Cégep de Rosemont
Cégep de Saint-Félicien
Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe
Cégep de Saint-Jérôme
Cégep de Saint-Laurent
Cégep de Sainte-Foy
Cégep de Sept-Îles
Cégep de Sherbrooke
Cégep de Sorel-Tracy
Cégep de Thetford
Cégep de Trois-Rivières
Cégep de Valleyfield
Cégep de Victoriaville
Cégep du Vieux Montréal
Cégep Eduoard Montpetit
Cégep Francois-Xavier Garneau
Cégep Gérald-Godin
Cégep John Abbott
Cégep Lionel-Groulx
Cégep Marie-Victorin
Cégep Montmorency
Cégep Limoilou
Cégep régional de Lanaudière
Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Cégep Vanier
Cégep@distance
Collège Ahuntsic
Collège d’Alma
Collège Dawson
Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne
Collège de Maisonneuve
Collège de Matane
Collège de Rosemont
Collège de Valleyfield
Collège François-Xavier-Garneau
Collège Gérald-Godin
Collège Héritage
Collège John Abbott
Collège Lionel-Groulx
Collège Montmorency
Collège régional Champlain
Collège Shawinigan
Collège Vanier
École nationale d’aérotechnique
Service régional de l’admission des cégeps du Saguenay-Lac St-Jean
Sources Adult and Career Centre

Universities

Bishop’s University
Concordia University
École de technologie supérieure (Université du Québec)
École nationale d’administration publique (Université du Québec)
École Polytechnique de Montréal (affiliated with Université du Montréal)
HEC Montréal (affiliated with Université du Montréal)
Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Université du Québec)
McGill University
Télé-Université (TÉLUQ)
Université de Montréal
Université de Sherbrooke
Université du Québec
Université Laval

Saskatchewan

Colleges

Carlton Trail Regional College
Cumberland Regional College
Great Plains College
Lakehead College
North West Regional College
Northlands College
Parkland College
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Southeast College

Universities

Campion College (Federated with the University of Regina)
First Nations University of Canada
Luther College (Federated with the
University of Regina)
St. Thomas More College (Federated with the University of Saskatchewan)
University of Regina
University of Saskatchewan

Yukon

Colleges

Yukon College

What is the OINP international student stream processing time?

90 – 120 days is the processing time for the Ontario international student stream.

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Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.