Ontario offers two immigration streams through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) specifically for international graduates: the Masters Graduate Stream and the PhD Graduate Stream. These pathways allow eligible candidates who have studied in Ontario to apply for permanent residence without needing a job offer. Both streams operate under the OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
On This Page, You Will Find:
- Overview of the Masters Graduate Stream
- Requirements for Masters graduates
- Overview of the PhD Graduate Stream
- Requirements for PhD graduates
- List of eligible institutions
- Scoring factors for both streams
Masters Graduate Stream
This stream is for international students who have completed a master’s degree at an eligible Ontario university. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply
You must register an EOI and receive an invitation before applying. You must also demonstrate that you meet the qualifications you claimed.
2. Education
You must have completed at least one academic year of full-time study and earned a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university. You cannot be enrolled at the time of application unless you are working full-time or studying to be licensed in a regulated profession. Any grant requiring return to your home country must be fulfilled before applying.
3. Language Proficiency
You must prove English or French language ability at CLB 7 or higher using approved language tests.
4. Residency in Ontario
You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least 12 months within the last two years.
5. Settlement Funds
You must show sufficient funds or a combination of income, savings, and job offers to support yourself and dependents.
6. Intention to Reside in Ontario
You must show ties to Ontario, such as work, study, volunteering, or property.
7. Residency at Time of Application
You must be living in Ontario with legal status or outside Canada. Applicants living in other Canadian provinces are not eligible.
8. Legal Status in Canada
If applying from within Canada, you must hold or maintain legal status (including maintained status).
9. Application Period
You must apply within two years of completing your master’s degree requirements.
PhD Graduate Stream
This stream is for international graduates who have earned a PhD from an eligible Ontario university. You do not need a job offer.
1. Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply
You must register and be invited to apply.
2. Education
You must have completed at least two years of your PhD studies in Ontario and have your degree from an eligible university. Grants requiring return to your home country must be honoured first.
3. Residency in Ontario
You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least one cumulative year in the last two years.
4. Settlement Funds
Same as the Masters stream, you must show sufficient funds through income, savings, or job offers.
5. Intention to Live in Ontario
You must show intent to reside through ties to the province.
6. Legal Status in Canada
If applying from within Canada, you must have or maintain legal status.
7. Application Period
You must apply within two years of completing your PhD degree requirements.
List of Eligible Ontario Universities
The following institutions are eligible for both the Masters and PhD Graduate Streams:
- Algoma University
- Brock University
- Carleton University
- Dominican University College
- Lakehead University
- Laurentian University
- McMaster University
- Nipissing University
- OCAD University
- Queen’s University
- Royal Military College of Canada
- Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
- Trent University
- University of Guelph
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Ontario Tech University)
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- University of Windsor
- Western University
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- York University
Expression of Interest Scoring Factors
The EOI system awards points based on the following factors for both streams:
Employment/Permit Status
- Valid work/study permit: 10 points
- No permit: 0 points
Earnings History
- $40K+ in one year (past 5 years): 3 points
Education Level
- PhD: 10 points
- Masters: 8 points
- Other post-secondary: 5–6 points depending on credential
Field of Study
- STEM/Health/Trades: 12 points
- Business, social sciences, education: 6 points
- Arts and humanities: 0 points
Canadian Education
- More than one Canadian credential: 10 points
- One Canadian credential: 5 points
Language Ability
- CLB 9+: 10 points
- CLB 8: 6 points
- CLB 7: 4 points
Official Languages
- Two official languages: 10 points
- One official language: 5 points
Location of Study (Regionalization)
- Northern Ontario: 10 points
- Outside GTA (non-North): 8 points
- Inside GTA (except Toronto): 3 points
- Toronto: 0 points
- Online-only study: 0 points
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer to apply under the OINP International Graduate streams?
No. Both the Masters and PhD Graduate streams do not require a job offer to apply. You must meet other eligibility criteria including education, language skills, and ties to Ontario.
Can I apply if I am still studying in Ontario?
No, unless you are studying full-time for professional licensing or are working full-time. You must have completed your degree before applying and be within the two-year application window.
Do I need to live in Ontario at the time of application?
Yes, or you must be living outside Canada. You cannot be residing in another Canadian province or territory when you apply.
Which universities are eligible for these graduate streams?
Degrees must be earned from eligible Ontario universities listed by the OINP. This includes institutions like University of Toronto, McMaster, Queen’s, and York, among others.
How are points calculated in the Expression of Interest system?
Points are awarded based on factors like education, language ability, regional study location, work permit status, and earnings history. These scores help determine your ranking for an invitation.
