WORK PERMIT
Ready to work in Canada? Find more information on work permits via the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario’s Economic Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Delivered in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), it allows Ontario to nominate foreign workers, international students, and skilled professionals who have the skills and experience needed by the province’s economy for Canadian Permanent Residence (PR).
How does the "OINP" work?
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Streams & Eligibility: You register an Expression of Interest (EOI) or maintain a active Express Entry profile, depending on the stream.
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Invitation to Apply (ITA): Ontario invites candidates based on specific criteria (e.g., score, tech/healthcare occupation draws).
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Provincial Nomination: If approved, Ontario issues a nomination certificate.
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For Express Entry-linked streams, a nomination awards 600 additional CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation for PR from the federal government.
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Federal PR Application: You apply directly to IRCC for Permanent Residency.
Exemptions from Requiring Work Offers
Not all OINP streams require an Ontario employer job offer. You are exempted from needing a job offer if you apply under:
1. Human Capital Category (Express Entry):
Human Capital Priorities Stream
French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
Skilled Trades Stream
2. Graduate Streams (Non-Express Entry):
Master’s Graduate Stream
PhD Graduate Stream
LMIA Exemptions for Work Permits
If you receive an OINP nomination, you become exempt from requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to get or extend an Ontario work permit while your PR application is being processed by IRCC (under LMIA exemption code T13 / Employer-specific work permit).
Exemptions for Specific Occupations & Credentials
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Self-Employed Physicians: Exempt from the standard employer job offer requirements.
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Licensed Professionals: Regulated professionals licensed in Ontario (e.g., registered nurses) may be exempt from proving specific prior foreign work experience in their job offer category.
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Recent Ontario Graduates: Exempt from language proficiency minimums under select employer-job-offer pathways.
Who is Ineligible / Excluded from Applying?
You are generally exempted (excluded) from using OINP if you:
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Are an refugee claimant in Canada awaiting a decision.
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Are living in Canada without valid legal status (e.g., out-of-status).
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Are applying through the Ontario Public Service (OPS) directly as the employer (as OPS currently does not participate in OINP employer positions).
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Hold more than 10% equity/ownership in the employer's business making you the job offer.
