Ontario Masters Graduate Stream

The Masters Graduate stream presents an opportunity for international graduates who hold an Ontario masters degree to apply for permanent residence in Ontario. The application process involves several stages and requirements, as outlined below:

Registration and Invitation:

• To initiate the process, individuals must first register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest System.
• Upon receiving an invitation to apply, applicants can proceed with their online application for nomination by the Ontario government for permanent residence.

Federal Application:

• If nominated, applicants must then apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• The final decision on granting permanent residency rests with IRCC.

Stream Requirements: After receiving an invitation to apply, applicants must meet the following criteria for their application to be considered:

1. Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply:

• Applicants must have received an invitation and applied within the specified deadline.
• It is essential to demonstrate that the qualifications claimed in the Expression of Interest are accurate.

2. Education:

• Applicants must have completed the necessary requirements for a masters degree, including at least one academic year of full-time study.
• The degree must be from an eligible university in Ontario. However, enrollment as a student at the time of application is generally not accepted unless it serves the purpose of meeting licensing requirements for a regulated occupation in Ontario or if the applicant is also employed full-time in Ontario.
• Applicants who have received scholarships or grants that require returning to their home country after completing the masters degree can only apply after fulfilling those commitments and showing an intention to reside in Ontario.

3. Language:

• Proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 or higher is required.
• Applicants must take an approved language test, which should not be more than two years old from the application submission date.

4. Residency in Ontario:

• Applicants must have legally resided in Ontario for at least one year within the past two years before applying.
• The one year of residency can be cumulative.

5. Settlement Funds:

• Sufficient funds must be available to support the applicant and dependent family members upon settling in Canada.
• Various sources can be used to meet this requirement, including bank statements, annual earnings from employment in Ontario, or a job offer in Ontario.

6. Intention to Live in Ontario:

• Applicants must demonstrate their intention to reside in Ontario after obtaining permanent residence. This can be established through various ties to the province, such as employment, job offers, studying, volunteering, property ownership or leasing, family connections, personal relationships, and professional networks.

7. Residency at Time of Application:

• Applicants must either be living in Ontario with legal status (study permit, work permit, visitor record) or residing outside Canada at the time of application.
• Applicants residing in a province or territory other than Ontario within Canada do not qualify.

8. Legal Status in Canada (if applicable):

• Applicants applying from within Canada must have legal status (visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and maintain it until nomination.
• ‘Implied status’ is acceptable for OINP application submission, meaning individuals can remain in Canada and maintain their work or study conditions until a decision is made on their pending IRCC application.

9. Application Period:

• Applications must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements for the masters degree. The date on the degree must be within two years of the OINP application submission date, not the date of receiving the invitation to apply.