On May 1, 2017, the province of Ontario reopened the International Masters Graduate and International PhD Graduate streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) for the second time in 2017. In a testament to the popularity of these streams, the International Masters Graduate stream reached its intake limit that same day. These popular Canadian immigration streams offer a route to permanent residence for eligible individuals who have studied in Ontario.
The International PhD Graduate stream remains open as of May 2, but it may be expected that this stream also will reach its intake limit in coming days — as was the case the last time both streams opened, in late February, 2017. The government of Ontario had previously stated that it intends to open and close these two streams intermittently throughout 2017, in order to better handle demand and fulfil the federal nomination allocation for the province in 2017. Consequently, it may be expected that potential International Masters Graduate stream candidates may have another chance to submit an application in coming months.
The nature of these two streams, which can both open and close with little warning, proves that proactive candidates who prepare in advance are in the best position to submit an application when the time comes.
Discover Ontario’s colleges and universities with the CanadaVisa School Search tool.
New Online System for 2017
The OINP introduced an online e-filing system for the previous intake period in late February, and all applicants are now required to submit an application online. According to the program guide, the application may take approximately two hours to complete, and does not have to be completed in one session. Applicants have 14 days to submit an application after they have registered a profile in the OINP e-Filing portal. The International Masters Graduate and International PhD Graduate Streams are not aligned with the Express Entry system, consequently, a potential candidate is not required to create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool. Successful applicants receive a ‘base’ provincial nomination certificate, after which they may then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.
Eligibility Requirements
The OINP allows Ontario to select individuals who have the education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other characteristics to help them successfully establish and integrate into Ontario’s labour market and communities, and nominate them for permanent immigration.
International graduates are in a prime position to fulfil these criteria. With a high level of education and language ability, and an existing connection to the province, they are likely to successfully settle in Ontario to begin a new life.
| International Masters Graduates | PhD Graduates |
|---|---|
| Must intend to live and work in Ontario | Must intend to live and work in Ontario |
Must have graduated from an existing Master’s program at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario
|
Must have successfully completed all PhD program requirements at an eligible publicly-funded university in Ontario
|
| Must submit the application within two years of the date on which the Masters degree was granted | Must submit the application within two years of the date on which the PhD was granted |
Must have legal status (i.e. study permit, work permit, visitor record) if living in Ontario at the time of the application
|
Must have legal status (i.e. study permit, work permit, visitor record) if living in Canada at the time of the application
|
| Must demonstrate an adequate intermediate proficiency level in English or French of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or above in all four competencies (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) | |
| Must be able to show a minimum level of savings and/or income in order to support themselves and their dependants | |
| Must show that they have resided in Ontario for at least 12 cumulative months in the 24 months before submitting an application |
Studying in Ontario
Ontario is home to some of Canada’s top-ranked and best-known educational institutions, many of which are located in the south of the province. Top universities including the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, McMaster University, Queen’s University, and the University of Waterloo gain recognition around the world.
Learn more about studying in Ontario.
Ontario welcomes more international students than any other province or territory in Canada, by a large margin. International students are attracted by the quality of its institutions, stable economy, job opportunities, and quality of life. Moreover, with the ongoing activity of the OINP and other immigration programs, it can be expected that even more international graduates of Ontario universities will be welcomed to Canada in the coming years.
International students and post-graduate workers in Canada can join the CanadaVisa Study Hub to access a range of tools and resources to assist in studying, working, and settling in Canada permanently.
Learn more about studying in Canada. There is also a range of tools and resources available for prospective students in Canada, including Canada School Search and School Match Canada.
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Hello. I am a prospective PhD student. How do I fit in here? Would love to do my Research in Ontario. My research interest is in Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering application. I am a first class student of Polymer Engineering with Distinctions in Masters and MSc in Environmental Management and Materials Engineering respectively. I presently live in Lagos, Nigeria.
Regards.
Can international students Change course in Toronto ?then it can cause any problem for getting PR?