The Canadian province of Ontario has reopened two popular immigration streams for international post-graduates who studied in the province: the Masters Graduate stream, and the PhD Graduate stream. Both of these streams are connected with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Through the OINP, the government of Ontario may nominate individuals who wish to settle in the province. Ontario is the most popular destination province for international students, particularly Masters and PhD students, who are attracted by the quality of education and research opportunities offered across the province.
These two streams previously opened last February and May, reaching their intake limits within a few days on both occasions. Ontario has not disclosed how many applications may be accepted for the current application intake periods. Applications are submitted through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal.
Successful applicants to either of these two streams receive a ‘base’ provincial nomination certificate, putting them in a position to submit an application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Base streams are not aligned with the federal Express Entry system, but still provide a pathway to Canadian permanent resident status.