The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers several streams for international students who have completed a degree or diploma from a Canadian institution. One such stream is the International Student Stream, which is designed for international students who have completed a degree or diploma from an eligible Ontario institution.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the International Student Stream, applicants must meet several requirements
- Firstly, they must have completed at least half of their studies in Canada and have graduated from an eligible Ontario institution in the last two years. The degree or diploma must be in one of the following fields: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or business.
- Applicants must also have a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French, and must demonstrate their proficiency by providing language test results from a recognized testing organization.
- Additionally, applicants must have legal status in Canada and must be residing in Ontario at the time of their application.
- They must also have a job offer in Ontario that meets certain requirements, including being in a skilled occupation at National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B, and being full-time and permanent.
The application process
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Before applying, it is important to ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria for the International Student Stream. This includes having completed at least half of your studies in Canada, graduating from an eligible Ontario institution, meeting the language proficiency requirements, having legal status in Canada and residing in Ontario, and having a job offer that meets the requirements of the program.
Step 2: Apply to the OINP
Once you have determined that you are eligible for the International Student Stream, you must submit an online application to the OINP. The application includes several forms and documents, including the Applicant Form, the Employer Form, and various supporting documents.
Step 3: Employer Pre-screening
After you have submitted your application, your employer will be required to complete an online pre-screening form. This form is used to verify that the job offer meets the requirements of the International Student Stream.
Step 4: Application Assessment
Once your employer has completed the pre-screening form, your application will be assessed by the OINP. The assessment process includes verifying that you meet all the eligibility criteria, and that your job offer meets the requirements of the program.
Step 5: Nomination
If your application is approved, you will receive a nomination certificate from the OINP. This certificate is used to support your application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residence
Once you have received your nomination certificate from the OINP, you can apply for permanent residence to IRCC. You will need to include your nomination certificate, along with other required documents, in your permanent residence application.
The International Student Stream is a popular pathway for international students to become permanent residents of Canada. By completing a degree or diploma from an eligible Ontario institution, and meeting the other eligibility criteria, students can increase their chances of success in their application to the OINP International Student Stream.
