PR in Ontario for International Students

Applications for Permanent Resident (PR) in Ontario are routed through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) which helps employers recruit bright international students or skilled foreign workers, helps skilled workers and graduate students, and aids entrepreneurs. The OINP has three different categories: Human Capital, Business, and Employer Job Offer.

Before we delve deeper let’s get to know a bit more about Ontario. Canada's most populous and culturally diverse province is located in central Canada. It is the second-largest province by landmass.

The province of Manitoba borders it to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the North, Quebec to the east and northeast, and the US to the 'south'. The southernmost tip of Ontario, and Canada, is further south than the northern border of California.

Back in 1791, the Province of Quebec was split into Upper Canada and French-dominated  Lower Canada. The settlement of York became Upper Canada’s Capital in 1796, but later it was named Toronto. In 1867, what had formerly been called Upper Canada, was named Ontario.

More than 25% of residents in Ontario were born outside Canada. It is home to dozens of groups (tribes) of First Nations people, some Métis, and a small portion of Inuit. It is also home to over 50% of Canada’s new immigrants. 

Cost of Living in Ontario:

The cost of living in Ontario varies from city to city. We will compare Ottawa, Toronto, and Guelph. Outside of city centers, renting a one-bedroom apartment will cost you $1235/$1680/$1235 respectively.  The living expenses, for a single person, run at about $1190/$1238/$1175.

Growing Industries in Ontario:

 These industries will create more jobs in Ontario in the coming years. So, graduating with a relevant degree in any of these fields will provide you an upper hand in securing a well-paying job and later, if applying for a PR in Ontario.

• Aerospace

• Automotive

• Chemical and biochemical

• Cleantech

• Financial services

• Food and beverage manufacturing

• Forestry

• Industrial automation and robotics

• Information technology

• Life sciences - pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnologies

• Mining

• Tourism

Interesting facts about Ontario: 

1. Ontario covers one million square kilometers. It is larger than Spain, and France combined.

2. Queen Victoria of Britain chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada in 1877. 

3. It has 250,000 lakes and is home to 20% of the world’s freshwater stores.

4. The Trillium is the official flower of Ontario.

5. Niagara Falls is the biggest single tourist attraction in Ontario.

6. Over 100 languages are spoken in Toronto, and 44% of residents have a first language that isn’t English or French.

7. Toronto is the third most popular city for screen-based production work after Los Angeles and New York.

8.  There’s a law that states saying “Sorry” is not an admission of guilt.

9. The rich purple semi-precious stone- Amethyst, is the official gem of Ontario. Large deposits are found in Northwestern Ontario. 

10. Toronto welcomes more than 40 million visitors annually, which amounts to approximately $7.2 billion each year. 

11. The CN tower, which is 1,815 ft tall, was the largest freestanding structure in the world until 2007.

12. The Rideau Canal, in Ottawa, becomes the largest skating rink in the world during winter.

Some of the Best Universities in Ontario:

Name	Town
University of Toronto	Toronto
University of Waterloo	Waterloo
York University	Toronto
Queen’s University	Kingston
McMaster University	Hamilton
Western University	London
Ryerson University	Toronto
Carleton University	Ottawa
University of Ottawa	Ottawa
University of Guelph	Guelph
Brock University	St. Catharines
Wilfrid Laurier University	Waterloo
Trent University	Peterborough
Lakehead University	Thunder Bay
Laurentian University	Sudbury

Cheapest Universities in Ontario (lowest to highest) and The Global Rankings for the Top 10:

1. University of Guelph #571-580
2. Algoma University          #N/A
3. Nipissing University        #N/A
4. Trent University               #N/A
5. Lakehead University        #N/A
6. Laurentian University       #N/A
7. OCAD University            #N/A
8. University of Windsor      #751-800
9. Carleton University          #601-650
10. Wilfred Laurier University #N/A
11. Ryerson University          #801-1000
12. Brock University              #N/A
13. Ontario Tech University   #N/A
14. McMaster University      #144
15. Western University         #203
16. University of Waterloo   #166
17. York University              #531-549
18. University of Ottawa     #279
19. University of Toronto    #25
20. Queen's University        #246

Scholarships in Ontario: 

The province of Ontario provides scholarships to Canadian citizens. The number of International Student Scholarships is minimal, from the Ontario provincial government. You can check the following websites to find a suitable scholarship for you. 

• Ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca 
• Ontario.ca 
• Ontarioscholarships.ca

PR in Ontario:

Obtaining a permanent residence in Ontario is the first step to Canadian Citizenship, for international students. You can apply for PR in Ontario through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). 

PR in Ontario, for international students, helps the province to recruit bright international students, or foreign workers, to meet their human resource needs. The OINP stream has three different categories: Human Capital, Business Immigration, and Employer Job Offer. PR requirements in Ontario vary from category to category. 

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is currently accepting applications under the following streams:

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream*
• Human Capital Priorities stream*
• Skilled Trades stream*
• Entrepreneur stream

The following OINP streams are now open through the OINP Expression of Interest system :

• Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
• Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

The following OINP streams remain closed and will open under the OINP Expression of Interest system at a later date:

• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
• Masters Graduate stream
• Ph.D. Graduate stream

*To apply under Ontario’s Express Entry streams, you must have a profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system and receive a notification of interest from Ontario. (Last updated 23/06/2021)

1. Human Capital

It has two subcategories: the international graduate stream and Ontario Express Entry Stream.

1.1 The international graduate stream: 

If you are planning to apply for PR in Ontario after study then this stream is for you. To apply under this stream, you need to graduate with a master’s or Ph.D. from an eligible Ontario University and apply within two years of graduation. 

Master’s Graduate Stream: To apply, you need to have:

1. Education: 

   • Minimum one academic year of full-time study (that is, at least 15 hours of instruction per week over the academic year, including any training period in the workplace as part of your studies. Part-time studies may qualify if the program is equivalent to at least one full-time academic year)

   • Degree must be conferred from an eligible university in Ontario (see the list of eligible Ontario universities below) 

   • You don’t qualify if you received a grant or scholarship that requires you to return to your home country. 

2. Language: You need to have at least a seven or higher in English or French at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

3. Residency: You have lived legally in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years before you apply. 

4. Settlement Funds: You must have money to support yourself and your dependents to settle in Canada.

5. Intention to live in Ontario: You must have the intention to live and work in Ontario. You can show your ties in any of the following ways: 

   • working or have worked in Ontario

   • getting job offers or applying/interviewing for jobs

   • studying

   • volunteering

   • leasing or owning property

   • visiting

   • having professional networks and affiliations, family ties, or social or personal relationships

6. Residency at the time of application: When you apply, you must either stay in Ontario with legal status (study permit, work permit, and visitor record) or live outside of Canada. You don’t qualify if you are living in a province or territory in Canada other than Ontario. 

Eligible Ontario Universities offering master’s program:

• Algoma University

• Brescia University College

• Brock University

• Carleton University

• Dominican University College

• Huron University College 

• King’s University College (at the University of Western Ontario)

• Lakehead University

• Laurentian University

• McMaster University

• Nipissing University

• Ontario College of Art & Design University

• Queen’s University

• Royal Military College of Canada

• Ryerson University

• Saint Paul University

• St. Jerome’s University

• Trent University

• University of Guelph

• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

• University of Ottawa

• University of St. Michael’s College 

• University of Toronto

• University of Trinity College 

• University of Waterloo

• University of Windsor

• Victoria University

• Western University

• Wilfrid Laurier University

• York University

Ph.D. Graduate Stream: To apply, you must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Education: You must complete your Ph.D. degrees from any of these eligible Ontario Universities.

2. The other requirements are the same as for the master’s graduate stream. 

Eligible Ontario Universities offering Ph.D. programs:

• Brock University

• Carleton University

• Dominican University College

• Lakehead University

• Laurentian University

• McMaster University

• Nipissing University

• Queen’s University

• Royal Military College of Canada

• Ryerson University

• Saint Paul University

• St. Jerome’s University 

• Trent University

• University of Guelph

• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

• University of Ottawa

• University of St. Michael’s College 

• University of Toronto

• University of Trinity College 

• University of Waterloo

• University of Windsor

• Victoria University 

• York University

The application cost to both of these streams is CAD $1,500.

1.2 Ontario’s Express Entry:

Ontario Express Entry for international students: Whether you are an international student or a foreign worker, you can apply in any of the three sub-streams under this category. The three sub-streams in this category are:

1. French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: It is for French-speaking skilled workers with strong English Language Abilities, with the required work experience and education. 

2. Human Capital Priorities Stream: It is for skilled workers with the necessary work experience, education, and language proficiency in either French or English. 

3. Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream: It is for foreign nationals with Ontario work experience in eligible skilled trades to settle in Ontario. 

2. Business Immigration

Suppose you are an entrepreneur living outside of Canada and planning to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario, then you can apply for PR in Ontario under this category. To apply, you must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Net Worth: 

   • The minimum net worth of $800,000 if the proposed business will be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) (City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York, and Peel Regions) OR a minimum net worth of $400,000 if the business is outside the GTA.

   • For proposed businesses in either ICT or digital communications, the minimum net worth is $400,000 regardless of the location.

2. Investment and Ownership:

   • Investment of at least $600,000 in an Ontario business and own at least 33 percent of the GTA business.

   • Outside of the GTA, own at least 33 percent and a minimum investment of $200,000 

   • If the business is in ICT or digital communications, own at least 33 percent with a minimum investment of $200,000 anywhere in the province.

3. You need a minimum of 2 years of full-time business experience as an owner or senior manager in the past 60 months.

4. Create two full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the company if it is located inside the GTA. Businesses located outside the GTA, or ICT or digital communications, must create one full-time job. These jobs must pay the Ontario average for that position.

5. Make exploratory visits to Ontario in the 12 months before application if you are planning to buy an existing business.

6. Minimum CLB 4 in English or French.

7. Present physically in Ontario for at least 75 % of the time you are managing the business.

3. Employer Job Offer Category 

There are three streams in this category to apply for PR in Ontario: Foreign Worker Stream, International Student Stream, and In-Demand Skills Stream.

3.1 Foreign Worker Stream

Foreign worker stream also gives you an opportunity to apply for PR in Ontario. To qualify, an applicant needs:

• A Full-time permanent job under NOC 0, A, or B that pays the median wage levels for Ontario.

  • The proposed wage must be equal or more significant for those already working in the position than the current wage being paid.

• Two continuous years of relevant work experience in the previous five years before the date of application;

• The mandatory license in Ontario if the position requires it.

• Have a valid permit if living abroad or be working, studying, or visiting Canada.

• Intention to settle in Ontario.

3.2 International Student Stream

Most international students who completed an eligible degree in any eligible Ontario education, apply for PR in Ontario under this stream. To apply, you need the following documents: 

• A permanent full-time job under NOC 0, A, or B that meets low wage levels for Ontario

  • the proposed wage must be equal to or greater than the current wage being paid for those already working in the position.

• Either graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum two-year degree from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university; OR graduated or met requirements of a full-time minimum one-year post-graduate diploma program from a publicly-funded Canadian college or university.

• Completed at least half the studies in Canada;

• Apply within two years from the date you completed the above course

• Clear intention to settle in Ontario and have legal status in Ontario

3.3 In-Demand Skills Stream

This stream is for foreign workers interested in working in in-demand occupations such as agriculture, construction, trucking, or personal support work and applying for PR in Ontario.  

• A permanent full-time job offer in certain occupations of the agriculture or construction sector meets the median wage in Ontario requirement for the occupation (see table below) and it is a necessary position for the business. 

  • The proposed wage must be equal to or more significant for those already working in the position than the paid current wage.

• Nine months of cumulative work experience in the last three years in one of the eligible occupations. It must be a paid position and full-time or the equivalent amount in part-time work in Ontario. 

  • Seasonal work does not count.

• Canadian high school education or higher equivalent degree

• Valid certificate or license when applying to prove your work experience.

• Prove English or French Skills with a minimum of 4 in CLB/NCLC.

• Have a valid permit if living abroad or be working, studying, or visiting Canada.

• Intention to settle in Ontario.

To know more about each of these streams in detail, please visit Ontario.ca

Helpful Resources to know more about Ontario and its Immigration Process:

1. Immigration.ca - Ontario Immigration

2. Jobbank.gc.ca

3. Statcan.gc.ca

Discover Ontario

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