Ontario PNP (OINP) Ph.D. Graduate Stream
Ontario PNP (OINP) Ph.D. Graduate Stream
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers a pathway to permanent residency in Canada through its Ph.D. Graduate Stream. This stream is specifically designed for international students who have successfully completed a doctoral degree program at an eligible Ontario university. It aims to retain highly educated individuals who have contributed to the province’s academic landscape and are poised to make further contributions to its economy and society.
Book a consultation today to explore your eligibility and embark on your journey to living and working in Ontario. Allow us to assist you through the Master’s Graduate stream and turn your Canadian dream into reality.
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Eligibility Requirements for Ontario Ph.D. Graduate Stream Include
Before applying to the OINP PhD stream, candidates must register an Expression of Interest (EOI) and score higher than the cut-off in the Ontario PNP draws. Upon meeting this criterion, applicants will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the OINP PhD graduate stream.
Applicants must hold a PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university and have completed a minimum of 2 years of their PhD program while legally residing in Ontario. The application to the OINP PhD program must be made within two years of obtaining the PhD degree. However, candidates who enrolled through scholarships or grants requiring a return to their home country must fulfill these obligations before applying and demonstrate a commitment to settling permanently in Ontario.
Candidates must have legally resided in Ontario for at least one year within the last two years before applying. This residency requirement may be met cumulatively, totaling 12 months within the specified period.
Adequate financial resources are necessary to support yourself and any dependent family members upon settling in Canada.
You can demonstrate this through bank statements, ongoing employment in Ontario, or a job offer in the province.
If providing bank statements with a large one-time deposit, additional documentation may be requested to verify the source of funds.
You must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in Ontario after obtaining permanent residence.
Evidence of ties to Ontario, such as employment history, job offers, education, volunteering, property ownership, visits, professional networks, and family relationships, will be assessed.
If applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (e.g., visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and maintain it until nomination.
Applicants in ‘implied status’ may also apply if they have submitted an application to renew/extend their temporary status before its expiry date.
Your application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements for your Ph.D. degree.
The application submission date is based on the date indicated on your degree or official letter from your university, not the date of the invitation to apply.
Before applying to the OINP PhD stream, candidates must register an Expression of Interest (EOI) and score higher than the cut-off in the Ontario PNP draws. Upon meeting this criterion, applicants will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the OINP PhD graduate stream.
Applicants must hold a PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university and have completed a minimum of 2 years of their PhD program while legally residing in Ontario. The application to the OINP PhD program must be made within two years of obtaining the PhD degree. However, candidates who enrolled through scholarships or grants requiring a return to their home country must fulfill these obligations before applying and demonstrate a commitment to settling permanently in Ontario.
Candidates must have legally resided in Ontario for at least one year within the last two years before applying. This residency requirement may be met cumulatively, totaling 12 months within the specified period.
Adequate financial resources are necessary to support yourself and any dependent family members upon settling in Canada.
You can demonstrate this through bank statements, ongoing employment in Ontario, or a job offer in the province.
If providing bank statements with a large one-time deposit, additional documentation may be requested to verify the source of funds.
You can demonstrate this through bank statements, ongoing employment in Ontario, or a job offer in the province.
If providing bank statements with a large one-time deposit, additional documentation may be requested to verify the source of funds.
You must demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in Ontario after obtaining permanent residence.
Evidence of ties to Ontario, such as employment history, job offers, education, volunteering, property ownership, visits, professional networks, and family relationships, will be assessed.
Evidence of ties to Ontario, such as employment history, job offers, education, volunteering, property ownership, visits, professional networks, and family relationships, will be assessed.
If applying from within Canada, you must have legal status (e.g., visitor record, study permit, or work permit) at the time of application and maintain it until nomination.
Applicants in ‘implied status’ may also apply if they have submitted an application to renew/extend their temporary status before its expiry date.
Applicants in ‘implied status’ may also apply if they have submitted an application to renew/extend their temporary status before its expiry date.
Your application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements for your Ph.D. degree.
The application submission date is based on the date indicated on your degree or official letter from your university, not the date of the invitation to apply.
The application submission date is based on the date indicated on your degree or official letter from your university, not the date of the invitation to apply.
What are list of Eligible Ontario universities offering Ph.D. programs
To qualify for the PhD Graduate stream, your study must be from one of the universities listed below:
- Brock University
- Carleton University
- Lakehead University
- Laurentian University
- McMaster University
- Nipissing 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
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- University of Windsor
- Western University
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- York University
How to Obtain Canada PR through OINP Ph.D. Graduate Stream
Securing your Canada PR through the OINP Employer PhD Graduate stream involves the following steps:
01
Create and Sign-in to Your ONe-Key Account
Begin by creating an account and signing in to ONe-Key, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s online portal.
02
Register an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Register your Expression of Interest (EOI) in the OINP PhD Graduate stream to indicate your interest in applying for provincial nomination.
03
Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Based on your EOI score, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in one of the OINP draws.
04
Apply for the OINP PhD Graduate Stream
Once you receive the ITA, submit your application for the OINP PhD Graduate stream and upload all the required documents. Ensure that you apply within 14 days of receiving the ITA.
05
Pay the Program Fee
Pay the required program fee for processing your application through the OINP.
06
Receive Nomination Certificate and Approval Letter
Upon approval of your OINP application, you will receive a nomination certificate, nomination approval letter, and a work permit support letter.
07
Apply to IRCC for Canada PR
Within six months of receiving the provincial nomination, submit your application for Canada PR through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
08
Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
Once your Canada PR application is approved by IRCC, you will receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), completing the process of obtaining your Canada PR status.
OINP PhD Graduate Stream Application Checklist
Mandatory Documents Required:
- Applicant Consent Form
- Identity documents
- Status documents in Canada
- Residency in Ontario documents
- Education documents
- Language test results
- Settlement funds requirement documents
- Resumé
- Expression of interest selection factors
- Other optional documents (if applicable)
Complete, sign, and upload the Applicant Consent Form in the Required Documents section on the application submission date.
Photograph: Scan a physical photo, meeting passport/visa requirements.
Passport: Scan and upload the copy of personal details page, pages with Canadian visas, and entry stamps.
Family Members’ Passports: Scan and upload the personal details page for each dependent family member.
Passport: Scan and upload the copy of personal details page, pages with Canadian visas, and entry stamps.
Family Members’ Passports: Scan and upload the personal details page for each dependent family member.
Scan and upload copies of:
- Work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, and other Canadian immigration documents.
- Implied status documents (if applicable): IRCC acknowledgment letter, IRCC fee receipt, post office mailing receipt.
Prove one-year residency in Ontario in the last two years through documents like:
- Phone, hydro, or energy bills.
- Car or home insurance.
- Lease or rental agreement.
- Pay slips from an Ontario employer.
Degree Documents:
- If degree granted: scan and upload PhD degree and official transcripts.
- If degree not yet granted: scan and upload official letter and official transcripts.
- Include documentation for other degrees, diplomas, or certificates.
Upload results of an approved English or French language test (taken within the last two years).
- English tests: IELTS (General Training), CELPIP (General).
- French tests: TEF Canada, TCF Canada.
Options to Demonstrate Funds:
- Bank statements (last three months).
- Letter from financial institution for investment accounts.
- Employment documents (if using ongoing employment in Ontario).
- Job offer letter (if using job offer in Ontario).
- Redact credit card numbers before uploading.
Upload the latest resumé detailing work experience, education, contact information.
List established ties to Ontario (employment, education, volunteer work, lease agreements, family ties, social connections etc.).
Provide a statement of intent if no ties exist.
Provide a statement of intent if no ties exist.
- Work Permit Status in Canada: Upload relevant permits (work permit, study permit) and implied status documents if applicable.
- Earnings History: Notice of Assessment(s) by CRA for the last five years.
- Highest Level of Education: Degree, diploma, certificate, or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). You must provide the OINP with an electronic copy of the ECA report when you submit your online application. The report cannot be more than five years old at the time you submit your application.
- Field of Study: Official transcript from Canadian institution.
- Canadian Education Experience: Credential from eligible Canadian institution.
- Official Language Ability: Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada)
- Regional Immigration: Official Transcript from Canadian institution for location of study.
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Ontario Ph.D. Graduate Stream Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria, including having completed your PhD at an eligible Ontario university and having lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years before applying.
There are no specific language requirements for the Ontario PhD Graduate Stream. However, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French to successfully integrate into the Ontario labor market.
No, a job offer is not required to apply for the Ontario PhD Graduate Stream. However, applicants must demonstrate their intention to live and work in Ontario.
Residency can be proven through documents such as rental agreements, utility bills, and official correspondence showing your address in Ontario.