Move to Ontario under the Provincial Nominee Program

In February 2009, the Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program (Pilot PNP) changed its name to Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program.

With this program, skilled workers wanting to settle in Ontario can see their permanent residency visa approved faster by being nominated by the province.

You will need to submit your application to the province first and then apply for a permanent resident visa through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as a Provincial Nominee, once Ontario approves your application.

Applicants to the Opportunities Ontario program can apply for one of two categories: a general category for skilled workers or a category for international students.

General category

Skilled workers may be able to apply to Opportunities Ontario under the general category if:

  • Their prospective employer has first applied for a pre-screening of a position
  • The position has been approved
  • Their prospective employer has provided the applicant with the Nominee Application package from Opportunities Ontario
However, the three points above are not a guarantee of approval. To be eligible, you need to:

  • Have at least two years of work experience within the previous five years in the intended occupation, or have appropriate registration in Ontario
  • Have an approved, permanent full-time job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B)
  • Have been offered a wage that meets the prevailing wage level for the intended occupation
When applying for the Opportunities Ontario program, you will need to submit the following documents:

  • Employer pre-screen approved position form
  • Job offer
  • Copy of your birth certificate
  • Copy of all the pages of your passport
  • Copy of your work permit (if applicable), temporary resident visa (if applicable), and/or any other Canadian immigration document or entry stamp that you have received
  • Copy of your résumé
  • Proof of membership and/or registration in regulated occupations if you intend to work in an occupation that requires registration or certification in Ontario
  • Reference letters showing at least two years out of the last five years of work experience in your intended occupation
Please note that after the issue of your employer pre-screen approved position form, you have 60 days to submit your application to Opportunities Ontario.

International students

International students may be eligible for permanent residency in Canada through the Opportunities Ontario program.

In order to apply as an international student, you must:

  • Have completed at least half of your studies in Canada and have graduated or will soon be graduating from an eligible publicly funded Canadian college or university
  • Have completed a minimum of a two-year diploma or degree program, while studying on a full-time basis. One year post-graduate degree programs and certificate programs that require a previous degree or diploma are also eligible
  • Have a job offer in a managerial, professional or skilled trades occupation (NOC 0, A or B). For this category, the job offer does not have to be related to the applicant’s field of study or training
  • Apply within two years of having received your degree or diploma or during the last semester of completing the degree or diploma
  • Have legal status if you are in Canada
  • Have received an employer pre-screen approved position form with your application package from an approved employer
To apply, you must submit copies of the documents listed below:

  • Employer pre-screen approved position form
  • Job offer
  • Copy of your birth certificate
  • Copy of all the pages of your passport
  • Copy of your work permit (if applicable), temporary resident visa (if applicable), and/or any other Canadian immigration document or entry stamp that you have received
  • Copy of relevant university degree(s), college diploma(s), transcripts and/or occupational certificates
  • Copy of your résumé
  • Proof of membership and/or registration in regulated occupations if you intend to work in an occupation that requires registration or certification in Ontario
  • Reference letters showing at least two years out of the last five years of work experience in your intended occupation