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.
DRAW DATE
Jan 24, 2024
PROGRAM(S)
Ph.D Graduate Stream
INVITATIONS ISSUED
125
LOWEST SCORE
45
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
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.
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:
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:
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)
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.
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:
Once the applicant has both, the next step will be applying for permanent residency through the OINP Ph.D Graduate stream.
To apply for the OINP Ph.D. Graduate stream, there is a set of documents that need to be scanned and uploaded. Those include:
(including non-mandatory documents may delay the process)
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.
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.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive the following via email:
Once the applicant has the appropriate documents, the following stage is applying for Permanent Residency through the OINP Ph.D. Graduate Stream.
Creating a profile on the OINP e-Filing Portal.
Registering an expression of interest for the international student stream.
Filling in forms and uploading required documentations within 14 days of receiving invitation to apply.
Applying for permanent residency (PR) to the IRCC within 6 months of receiving the nomination.
