Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Ontario nominates skilled foreign workers and self-employed physicians whose qualifications meet the province's labour-market and economic-development needs. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile — effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
3
Categories (Ontario Workforce Priority)
+600
CRS (Express Entry option)
No fee
EOI Registration
CLB 4
Min Language (TEER 4–5)
What is the Ontario PNP?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario's economic immigration program, operating under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and Ontario Regulation 422/17. It offers a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers and self-employed physicians who intend to live and work in Ontario.
It is a two-step process: first, the applicant receives a certificate of nomination from the Ontario government; then, they apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. The OINP currently offers three categories under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream:
TEER 0–3 category — for skilled workers with a qualifying, Director-approved job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
TEER 4–5 category — for workers with a qualifying job offer in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation.
Self-employed physician category — for eligible physicians practising in Ontario without a traditional employer (CPSO membership + OHIP billing number required).
Express Entry Ontario Option = +600 CRS points
Workers in the TEER 0–3 or TEER 4–5 category may ask to be nominated through the federal Express Entry system. An OINP nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply from IRCC, which then processes the permanent residence application on a priority basis.
Category Comparison
The three categories at a glance. Our RCIC will confirm which one fits your profile before you register.
| Criteria | TEER 0–3 | TEER 4–5 | Self-Employed Physician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job offer required | Yes | Yes | No |
| NOC TEER level | TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 | TEER 4 or 5 | N/A (CPSO member) |
| Work experience | 6 consecutive months in last 12; or 3 months if recent Ontario grad; or 2 years cumulative in NOC within 5 years | 9 months cumulative within 2 years | Demonstrated Ontario medical practice |
| Education | 1-year Canadian post-secondary (or ECA); secondary school for skilled trades | Canadian secondary school diploma (or ECA) | CPSO membership; OHIP billing number |
| Language | CLB 6 (general); CLB 5 (skilled trades); recent Ontario grads exempt | CLB 4 | No language test specified |
| Employer requirements | Yes — 3+ years in business, Ontario premises, revenue/headcount thresholds | Yes — same as TEER 0–3 | N/A |
| Express Entry option | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Equity restriction | <10% equity in employer’s business | <10% equity in employer’s business | N/A |
Ontario Workforce Priority Categories
Use the navigator to jump to any category and review its eligibility criteria.
TEER 0–3 Category
For skilled workers with a Director-approved, full-time, permanent job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. You must first receive an Invitation to Apply from Ontario after registering an Expression of Interest.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Invitation & EOI | You received an Invitation to Apply from the Government of Ontario and applied within the published deadline, and you can demonstrate the qualifications you attested to in your Expression of Interest. |
| Job offer | A Director-approved job offer for a full-time, permanent employment position in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, plus any licence or authorization the position legally requires. |
| Work experience | 6 consecutive months of paid full-time work in the job-offer position within the last 12 months; OR 3 consecutive months if you are a recent Ontario graduate; OR 2 years cumulative full-time (or equivalent part-time) in the same NOC within the last 5 years. (Certain cross-NOC combinations are permitted — see below.) |
| Education | A Canadian post-secondary degree/diploma requiring at least 1 year of full-time study, OR an ECA-verified foreign equivalent (under 5 years old). A Canadian secondary school diploma suffices for skilled-trades occupations. Waived if you hold the mandatory licence (except NOC 73300/73301). |
| Language | CLB/NCLC 6 in all four abilities (CLB/NCLC 5 for listed skilled-trades occupations), tested within 2 years. Recent Ontario graduates are exempt. |
| Equity | Neither you nor your family members hold 10% or more equity in the employer’s business (unless obtained as employee remuneration). |
| Intent & status | A reasonable intention to reside in Ontario; if applying from within Canada, you must hold temporary resident status. |
Cross-NOC Work Experience — permitted combinations
For the 2-year cumulative pathway, prior experience in a related NOC is accepted for these combinations:
| Job-offer NOC | Accepted prior-experience NOC |
|---|---|
| Sub-Major Group 223 (engineering technologists) | Sub-Major Group 213 (professional engineers) |
| 33103 (pharmacy technical assistants / pharmacy assistants) | 31120 (pharmacists) |
| 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates) | 32101 (LPNs) or 31301 (registered nurses / psychiatric nurses) |
Skilled-Trades Occupations (CLB 5 language; secondary-school education)
If your job offer is in one of these NOC groups, the language threshold is CLB 5 (not 6) and the education requirement is a Canadian secondary-school diploma:
Transport & transit drivers (NOC 73300 truck drivers, 73301 bus/transit operators): 6 consecutive months of experience is always required (the licence-based waiver does not apply), and the employer must hold a valid CVOR certificate with an Excellent or Satisfactory safety rating. A "recent Ontario graduate" is someone who, within the last 3 years, earned a 2-year+ post-secondary credential, a master’s/PhD, or an Ontario college graduate certificate from an eligible Ontario institution.
TEER 4–5 Category
For workers with a Director-approved, full-time, permanent job offer in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation, following an Invitation to Apply from Ontario.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Invitation & EOI | An Invitation to Apply from Ontario (applied within the deadline), and you can demonstrate the qualifications attested to in your Expression of Interest. |
| Job offer | A Director-approved job offer in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation, plus any licence or authorization the position legally requires. |
| Work experience | 9 months of cumulative paid full-time work experience in the job-offer position within the 2 years before your application. |
| Education | A Canadian secondary-school diploma, or an ECA-verified foreign equivalent (under 5 years old). |
| Language | CLB/NCLC 4 in all four abilities, tested within 2 years. |
| Equity | Neither you nor your family members hold 10% or more equity in the employer’s business. |
| Intent & status | A reasonable intention to reside in Ontario; if applying from within Canada, you must hold temporary resident status. |
Self-Employed Physician Category
For physicians who are (or will be) self-employed and practising in Ontario, without a traditional employer. No job offer and no employer requirements apply.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Invitation & EOI | An Invitation to Apply from Ontario (applied within the deadline), demonstrating the qualifications attested to in your Expression of Interest. |
| Self-employment | You are or will be self-employed as a physician in Ontario. |
| CPSO membership | A College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) certificate in good standing — independent practice, academic practice, or a provisional certificate of registration. |
| OHIP billing | Eligibility to receive payment for publicly funded health services under the Health Insurance Act (an OHIP billing number). |
A job offer and the employer requirements do not apply to self-employed physicians.
Self-employed physicians begin the Expression of Interest process by contacting the OINP directly. Contact our RCIC first — we will help you prepare and register your EOI.
Employer Requirements
For the TEER 0–3 and TEER 4–5 categories, your employer must apply for an approval of the employment position through the OINP Employer Portal before you can submit your application. These requirements do not apply to self-employed physicians.
Business requirements
| Years in business | At least 3 years of active operation before the application date |
| Ontario premises | Must have a place of business in Ontario |
| Employment activities | Must occur primarily in Ontario (exception: NOC 73300 and 73301) |
| Employment standards | No outstanding orders under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 or Occupational Health and Safety Act |
| Recruitment effort | If you live outside Canada or work outside Ontario, the employer must show reasonable but unsuccessful efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or PR first (only if the Director determines it necessary) |
Minimum gross annual revenue (by work location)
| Work location | Minimum revenue |
|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | $1,000,000 gross annual revenue (most recent fiscal year) |
| Ottawa, Waterloo, Hamilton, Simcoe, Middlesex, Niagara, Essex, Wellington, Greater Sudbury, Frontenac, Brant, Peterborough, Hastings, Thunder Bay | $500,000 gross annual revenue (most recent fiscal year) |
| All other locations | $250,000 in each of the last two completed fiscal years |
The Greater Toronto Area means the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York.
Minimum employee headcount
| Work location | Minimum full-time citizens/PRs |
|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | At least 5 full-time Canadian citizens/PRs at that location |
| Outside Greater Toronto Area | At least 3 full-time Canadian citizens/PRs at that location |
Job-offer requirements
Expression of Interest Scoring
Once you register an EOI, you are assigned points across the factors below, which determine your ranking in the pool. You must provide documentation for each factor you claim.
Scoring factors are not the same as eligibility criteria — you must meet all eligibility criteria and provide the mandatory documents regardless of your score.
Employment & Labour-Market Factors
NOC TEER category
| TEER 0 or 1 | 9 |
| TEER 2 or 3 | 6 |
| TEER 4 or 5 | 0 |
NOC broad occupational category
| Category 3 | 10 |
| Category 7 | 8 |
| Category 2 | 6 |
| Category 0, 1, 4, 8 or 9 | 4 |
| Category 5 or 6 | 2 |
Hourly wage (job offer)
| $40.00+ | 15 |
| $35.00 – $39.99 | 12 |
| $30.00 – $34.99 | 10 |
| $25.00 – $29.99 | 8 |
| $20.00 – $24.99 | 5 |
| Under $20.00 | 0 |
Ontario experience — in the job-offer position
| Over 24 months | 18 |
| 13 – 24 months | 15 |
| 6 – 12 months | 12 |
| Under 6 months | 0 |
Ontario experience — general (if <6 mo in position)
| Over 24 months | 12 |
| 13 – 24 months | 9 |
| 6 – 12 months | 6 |
| Under 6 months | 0 |
Ontario medical practice (self-employed physicians)
| Over 24 months | 18 |
| 13 – 24 months | 15 |
| 6 – 12 months | 12 |
| Under 6 months | 0 |
Canadian earnings history (CRA NOA, last 5 yrs)
| $70,000+ | 8 |
| $50,000 – $69,999 | 6 |
| $30,000 – $49,999 | 4 |
| Under $30,000 | 0 |
Legal status in Canada
| Valid work permit | 10 |
| Valid study permit | 5 |
| No valid permit | 0 |
Education
Highest level of education
| Doctorate or professional degree | 10 |
| Master’s degree | 8 |
| University cert/diploma above bachelor / Bachelor’s degree | 6 |
| Ontario College Graduate Certificate | 5 |
| Other college / trade / below-bachelor credential | 5 |
| Less than college or trade certificate | 0 |
Number of Canadian education credentials
| More than one | 10 |
| One | 5 |
| None | 0 |
Language
Official language ability (lowest CLB across 4 areas)
| CLB 9+ | 15 |
| CLB 8 | 12 |
| CLB 7 | 8 |
| CLB 6 | 4 |
| CLB 5 or lower | 0 |
Knowledge of official languages (CLB 6+ both EN & FR)
| 2 official languages | 10 |
| 1 official language | 5 |
Regionalization — Location of Work
Location of work (regionalization)
| Northern Ontario | 15 |
| Eastern Ontario | 10 |
| Central Ontario (outside GTA) | 10 |
| Southwestern Ontario | 10 |
| Inside GTA (except Toronto) | 5 |
| Toronto | 0 |
Regional definitions (census divisions)
| Region | Census divisions |
|---|---|
| Northern Ontario | Muskoka, Haliburton, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Greater Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Kenora |
| Eastern Ontario | Frontenac, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prescott & Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, Stormont/Dundas/Glengarry |
| Central Ontario (excl. GTA) | Dufferin, Grey, Simcoe, Waterloo, Wellington |
| Southwestern Ontario | Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Oxford, Perth |
| Inside GTA (except Toronto) | Durham, Halton, Peel, York |
| Toronto | City of Toronto |
Accepted Language Tests
Results must be from a test taken within 2 years before your application submission date.
| Test | Notes |
|---|---|
| IELTS General Training | General Training only — not Academic or One Skill Retake |
| CELPIP General | General only; select IRCC as the receiving institution |
| PTE Core | PTE Core only — not PTE Academic |
| TEF Canada | French |
| TCF Canada | French |
How the Ontario PNP Works
There are six key stages, from your employer's job offer through your IRCC permanent residence application. Note the tight EOI and application deadlines.
Employer submits a job offer
Your employer registers with the OINP and submits a job offer for your position through the OINP Employer Portal; you receive a job-offer ID for your EOI. (Self-employed physicians contact the OINP directly to begin.)
Register an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Register your EOI within 30 calendar days of your employer submitting the job offer. Your EOI is scored on human-capital and economic factors and enters a pool until you receive an invitation or it expires.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The OINP issues ITAs from the pool. If invited, you must apply within the published deadline, and your employer must submit the employment-position approval within 14 calendar days of the ITA.
Submit your OINP application
Pay the government application fee and submit all documents through the OINP portal — after your employer submits theirs, and within 17 calendar days of the ITA date.
Receive your certificate of nomination
If approved, you receive a nomination approval letter, a certificate of nomination, and (if applicable) a work-permit support letter that may allow a bridging work permit while your PR application is pending.
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
Apply to IRCC within 6 months of nomination. Nominations carry conditions throughout the nomination period and may be cancelled if conditions are not met.
Processing Times
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| OINP application | Varies — the OINP does not publish a standard processing time |
| IRCC PR application (Express Entry route) | ~6 months |
| IRCC PR application (non-Express Entry) | Varies |
Government Fees
There is no fee to register an Expression of Interest — the OINP application fee is payable only once you are invited to apply, and it depends on where the job (or a physician's practice) is located. These fees are separate from IRCC's permanent residence fees.
OINP Provincial Fees
| Stage | Fee (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration / EOI | No fee | Free to register; the application fee is payable only after you receive an Invitation to Apply |
| OINP application — outside the GTA | $1,500 | Job-offer work location (or a physician’s Ontario practice address) outside the Greater Toronto Area |
| OINP application — within the GTA | $2,000 | Within the City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, Peel, or York regions |
| Internal review (if refused) | Varies | Non-refundable |
The application fee is non-refundable once the OINP determines your application is complete and begins processing. A refund is available only if your application is incomplete, or you withdraw before processing begins.
IRCC Permanent Residence Fees (after OINP nomination)
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $1,525 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | $1,525 |
| Dependent child (per child) | $260 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (principal applicant) | $575 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (spouse/partner) | $575 |
Important:Government fees are payable directly to the OINP and IRCC respectively, and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by the relevant authority at any time. A complete itemized quote — including Asteco's professional fees, government fees, and applicable third-party costs — is provided before you commit to any service.
Eligible Ontario Institutions
For the “recent Ontario graduate” definition, eligible institutions are the publicly assisted Ontario universities, colleges, and Indigenous institutes on the Ministry's list. The complete list is maintained by the Ontario Ministry and is subject to change.
View a partial list of eligible institutions
How Asteco Can Help
The OINP is an invitation-based, points-ranked program with strict deadlines, employer approvals, and two applications (OINP and IRCC) to coordinate. Our RCIC-regulated team manages every step.
Disclaimer: OINP stream criteria, eligibility requirements, fees, and processing times are established by the Province of Ontario under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and Ontario Regulation 422/17, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information on this page reflects OINP requirements as published in Ontario Regulation 422/17, as amended to June 25, 2026 (O. Reg. 204/26). This page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
Ready to Apply?
Our RCIC will assess your Ontario PNP eligibility across the TEER 0–3, TEER 4–5, and self-employed physician categories.
Check My Eligibility — FreeBook a Free ConsultationQuick Facts
Information reflects O. Reg. 422/17 as amended to June 25, 2026. Program criteria and fees are subject to change by the Province of Ontario and IRCC at any time. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
Related Programs
Canadian Experience Class
Permanent residence for those with Canadian work experience.
Learn MoreFederal Skilled Worker Program
Points-based Express Entry permanent residence for skilled workers.
Learn MoreProvincial Nominee Program
Explore all provincial and territorial nominee programs across Canada.
Learn More