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ONTARIO PNP (OINP) Ph.D. graduate stream
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Ph.D. Graduate Stream is targeted toward graduates who hold a Ph.D. degree from an eligible Canadian higher institution to relocate, live, and work in Ontario. The stream is designed to attract and retain talented individuals who have successfully obtained their Ph.D. degrees and will flourish in Ontario as talented specialists in their fields.
This initiative underscores Ontario’s dedication to embracing and assimilating international students, acknowledging their capacity to make a positive contribution to the regional economy and enhance the province’s diverse cultural environment. It is in harmony with Ontario’s objective of drawing in and retaining adept individuals who have already exhibited their allegiance to the province through their educational pursuits.
This program not only offers international students a route to permanent residency but also plays a role in fostering Ontario’s economic advancement by addressing workforce needs with capable and skilled professionals. In turn, the candidates must meet certain criteria to be considered for the program and receive a Notification of Interest (NOI). You can also get to know other immigration pathways more suited to each particular situation. All of our fees and packages are also available! You can also get acquainted with other OINP programs.
Book a consultation today to discuss your eligibility and take your first step towards living and working in Ontario. Let us guide you through the Ph.D. Graduate Stream and make your Canadian dream a reality.
Recent draws
DRAW DATE
Jan 24, 2024
PROGRAM(S)
Ph.D Graduate Stream
INVITATIONS ISSUED
125
LOWEST SCORE
45
Latest Updates
On January 4, 2024 invitations were sent to Ph.D. graduates who could be deemed eligible for this stream and their score was 45 and above. Read more
On October 30th, 2023 invitations were issued to eligible candidates in general occupations, and the candidates received an invitation if they had a score of 42 and above. Read more
On September 19, 2023 invitations to apply were sent to candidates in general occupations, and the lowest score to be eligible was 40 and above. Read more
On August 1, 2023 candidates working in general occupations were invited and the lowest score to be eligible for an invitation was 39 and above. Read more
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
APPLICANT TIES TO ONTARIO
SETTLEMENT FUNDS
APPLICATION PERIOD
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The key attribute necessary for an applicant to be eligible under this stream’s requirements is a Ph.D. degree from an eligible institution in Ontario. The degree must have been completed in at least two years while simultaneously living and residing in Ontario. Since another key requirement for this stream is the intent to live in Ontario, the applicant is not eligible if the degree was completed with a grant from their home country that requires the applicant to go back home. Hence why, upon applying, the candidate must show appropriate proof of intent to live in Ontario.
APPLICANT TIES TO ONTARIO
The candidate must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years before application. This serves as appropriate proof of integration within the province. It is important to remember that this one year can be acquired cumulatively, meaning there can be gaps throughout residency, that all together add up to a year of living in Ontario.
The applicant’s ties to Ontario are another determining factor in receiving an invitation to apply. The candidate must show that upon receiving permanent residence, he/she intends to live and work in Ontario. Some of the factors that can serve as proof of ties in the province include:
- Past work experience in Ontario
- Applying for jobs/actively going to job interviews
- Leasing or owning property
- Studying/volunteering
- Having professional ties or personal relationships
SETTLEMENT FUNDS
To be a successful candidate under this stream, the applicant must show sufficient proof of funds required by the Canadian government. These funds will be required in support of the applicant, and any dependant family members that will be settling in Canada with them (spouse, children, grandchildren) Funds can be proven in various ways including:
- Balances reflected in the bank statements, or statements demonstrating appropriate investments such as mutual funds, etc.
- Annual salary from employment in Ontario
- A prospective job offer in Ontario
For example, if the candidate is required to show $25564, but their employment only covers $20000, the candidate then can even this up by money available in their balance. Candidates can learn about how much money they will require depending on their family size. (One-time large deposits may require more documentation in support of genuine funds rather than debt or liability)
- Legal Status in Canada (if applicable)
If the candidate is submitting their application from inside Canada, they must show that they possess a valid status like a visitor visa or a study permit. If they are in the process of extending their status, they can apply if they have their “maintained status” which essentially grants the applicant the right to remain in Canada while a decision is being made on the extension of their status.
APPLICATION PERIOD
The application must be submitted within two years of completing the Ph.D. degree. Hence, the entire process of registering for an expression of interest, receiving the invitation, and applying within 14 days should all lie within those two years. For example, if the date on the degree says May 5, 2022, the application cannot be submitted later than May 5, 2024. Once a candidate’s application is approved, the following will be sent via email:
- A nomination approval letter
- A nomination certificate
Once the applicant has both, the next step will be applying for permanent residency through the OINP Ph.D Graduate stream.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
PROCESSING TIME
PROCESSING FEES
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
To apply for the OINP Ph.D. Graduate stream, there is a set of documents that need to be scanned and uploaded. Those include:
- attestation
- identity documents
- status documents in Canada
- residency in Ontario documents
- education documents
- documents to demonstrate that you meet the settlement funds requirement
- resumé
- expression of interest selection factors
- other optional documents (if applicable)
(including non-mandatory documents may delay the process)
PROCESSING TIME
The average processing time for this stream usually takes 30-60 days. An applicant can check the status of the application on the OINP e-Filing portal.
PROCESSING FEES
While there are no government fees when submitting the application to the Express Entry pool or creating an e-Filing portal, once the applicant receives the notification of interest, a sum of $1500 will need to be paid for the processing of the application. (Refunds are possible in case of incomplete applications or withdrawal before the start of the processing). If you decide to retain us as your representative, some professional fees will be applicable.
Program Timeline
Once your application has been approved, you will receive the following via email:
- A nomination approval letter
- A nomination certificate
- A work permit support letter (if applicable)
Once the applicant has the appropriate documents, the following stage is applying for Permanent Residency through the OINP Ph.D. Graduate Stream.
Create a profile
Creating a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Register an expression of interest
Registering an expression of interest for the international student stream.
Fill in forms and upload documents
Filling in forms and uploading required documentations within 14 days of receiving invitation to apply.
Applying for permanent residency (PR)
Applying for permanent residency (PR) to the IRCC within 6 months of receiving the nomination.
Our Professional Fees
Is the OINP International Student Stream part of the Express Entry system?
No, this stream, like other OINP Job Offer Streams, operates outside of Express Entry. An applicant cannot apply for this stream directly. Rather, they have two ways to be considered for this stream:
- Create an Express Entry profile and receive their Notification of Interest (NOI)
- Create a profile on the OINP e-filing portal and register an Expression of Interest
The concluding phase involves obtaining the approval letter for nomination and initiating the Permanent Residency application within a six-month timeframe. The fundamental concept underlying the OINP program is to identify eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool possessing the skills and expertise necessary to enhance Ontario’s economic landscape by attracting skilled professionals to the province.
Do I need a job to be eligible for this stream?
No, this is one of the few streams that does not require employment since the graduate’s degree was acquired in the past two years. While having a valid occupation is not required, it may be a requirement when trying to meet the financial requirement. If a graduate does not have enough money on their balance to support themselves and any dependents that will be settling in Ontario with them, they will need to show either an occupation or a valid job offer.
My study permit is still valid, can I receive any points for that?
Yes, a valid study or work permit grants the candidate 10 points, meanwhile, any other status like a visitor visa will not grant any points.
Can I receive extra points for my language ability?
Yes, It is important to remember that knowledge of the official Canadian languages also affects an applicant’s scores, so upon learning both, and applicant can increase the chances of getting an NOI. For example, if the applicant speaks both official languages: French and English, they will receive 10 points. However, 5 points are granted for each official language ability. The level at which the applicant commands the language is also a scoring factor. For example:
- CLB level 9 – 10 points
- CLB level 8 – 6 points
- CLB level 7 – 4 points
(any level lower does not receive any points)
My Ph.D. degree was in the field of Engineering, may I receive any extra points for this field?
Yes, the field of study does grant an applicant certain points. In this case, since the degree acquired was in STEM, the applicant is eligible to receive 12 points. Other fields of study like business administration grant 6 points, while degrees in arts and humanities are not eligible for extra points.
Can my study location grant me any points?
Yes, Regionalization is a factor that can grant candidates points. For example, if you physically attend classes in Northern Ontario, you will receive 10 points, which is the highest amount of points you may receive in this category. Areas outside the GTA grant 8 points, inside the GTA (except Toronto) grant 3 points, while Toronto and other areas do not grant any points to the candidate.
