Certainly! The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has recently undergone some changes in its International Student stream. The stream allows international students with a job offer in a skilled occupation to apply for permanent residence in Ontario ¹. Here are some of the changes that have been made:

  1. Simplification of eligibility criteria: The Ontario government has proposed changes to the OINP, aiming to expand the number of international students eligible to participate in the provincial nominee program (PNP) ³. The suggested legislation concentrates on revising requirements for individuals in one-year college graduate certificate programs, that are available across the province in numbers exceeding 900 ².
  2. Job offer requirements: To qualify under the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream, you must have a job offer in Ontario from an employer that meets the following requirements ¹:
    • The job offer must be in a skilled occupation at TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
    • The job offer must be effective the date that you are nominated by the OINP, if you are already working for the employer in the approved employment position; or if you are not, on the date you obtain a work permit and begin working in the approved employment position.
  3. Applicant requirements: To be eligible for the International Student stream, you must meet the following requirements ¹:
    • Register an expression of interest and receive an invitation to apply.
    • Have a job offer in Ontario from an employer that meets the job offer requirements.
    • Have completed at least half of your studies in Canada.
    • Have graduated from an eligible Canadian college or university.
    • Have legal status in Canada, if you are applying from within Canada.
    • Meet the language requirements.

If you are nominated, your next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident ¹.