Today, the average Nigerian wants to “japa”, which is to immigrate to a first-world country to live a better life. For most Nigerians, the perfect japa destination is Canada, and given the opportunities that Ontario has for immigrants, the best pathway is the Ontario PNP.
However, not many people know how to navigate the Ontario PNP to make their Nigeria to Canada dream a success. This article will show you how to apply for Ontario PNP from Nigeria. Let’s get started!
What is the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) of Ontario is known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The program is operated by the government of Ontario in partnership with the federal immigration agency (IRCC) to facilitate the migration of qualified people that can improve the province’s economy. The OINP offers permanent residency to applicants to fill Ontario’s labor market shortages and improve its economy.
Ontario has nine streams which target different categories of immigrants. To apply for Ontario PNP from Nigeria, you need to first identify the OINP stream that is right for you.
OINP Streams
The nine streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program are:
| OINP stream | Who is it for? |
| Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream | For foreign skilled workers with a job offer in Ontario |
| Employer Job Offer: International Student stream | For recent graduates with a job offer in Ontario |
| Employer Job Offer: In-demand Skills stream | For foreign workers in in-demand occupation (in specific sectors like agriculture, construction, trucking, or personal support) with a job in Ontario |
| Masters Graduate stream | For those with a masters degree from an Ontario university |
| PhD Graduate stream | For those with a PhD degree from an Ontario university |
| Human Capital Priorities stream | For foreign workers with required skilled work experience, education, and language abilities |
| Skilled Trades stream | For foreign workers with Ontario skilled experience in an eligible skilled trade |
| French-speaking Skilled Worker stream | For French-speaking foreign workers with strong English language abilities |
| Entrepreneur stream | For those that can come to Ontario to establish a new business or buy and grow an existing business |
Applying to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
The OINP streams operate through two systems, the Expression of Interest system and the Express Entry system.
Expression of Interest system
The Expression of Interest is for immigrants applying to OINP using the following streams:
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-demand Skills stream
- Masters Graduate stream
- Ph.D. Graduate stream
- Entrepreneur stream
Applying for Ontario PNP through the Expression of Interest system takes three steps:
- Register an Expression of Interest
Visit the OINP e-filing portal and register an Expression of Interest. This is simply submitting your information (education, language skills, work experience, earnings history, regional immigration details, and other factors relevant to your employment).
After registering your interest, you’ll be placed in the appropriate selection pool, as each OINP stream has its own selection pool. All candidates registering for the same stream are placed in the same pool and ranked using the information provided when registering their interests.
Registering an expression of interest does not guarantee being invited to apply to the OINP. Only candidates who meet certain minimum scores are invited to apply to the OINP.
The minimum score varies, depending on the OINP stream. For example, in the last invitations (June 29, 2022), the minimum score for the “Employer Job Offer: International Student” stream was 74, but the minimum score for the “Employer Job Offer: In-demand skills” Stream was only 24.
- Apply to the OINP
If you are invited to apply to the OINP, you must submit your application within 14 days of receiving the invitation. Applying requires submitting documents supporting the information in your expression of interest.
Applications are reviewed and qualifying candidates are sent nomination certificates.
Applying to the OINP for nomination does not guarantee being nominated by the province. However, if you have documents supporting the information you submitted in your EOI, you can be confident of getting the provincial nomination.
- Apply to IRCC for permanent residency
If you receive the OINP nomination, you can then proceed to apply to the IRCC for permanent residency.
Express Entry System
The Express Entry System is for immigrants applying to OINP using the following stream:
- Human Capital Priorities stream
- Skilled Trades stream
- French-speaking Skilled Worker stream
Applying for Ontario PNP through the Express Entry system takes four steps:
- Create an Express Entry profile
You need to visit the IRCC Express Entry System and create a profile. In your profile, mention Ontario as the Canadian province that you are interested in.
You also need to select a federal program that corresponds to the OINP stream you are interested in.
| OINP stream | Express Entry program |
| Human Capital Priorities stream | Federal Skilled Worker program |
| Skilled Trades stream | Canadian Experience Class |
| French-speaking Skilled Worker stream | Federal Skilled Worker program |
When you create a profile, you are placed in the Express Entry pool where candidates are ranked using a comprehensive ranking system (CRS). The CRS system assigns points to you based on your age, skills, education, work experience, language ability, and adaptability.
To qualify for the Ontario nominee program, you must have a minimum CRS score of 400. The OINP looks at the EE pool and sends qualifying candidates Notifications of Interest.
- Apply to the OINP
If you receive a notification of interest, you can then apply to the OINP for a provincial nomination in one of its streams. Your application must be submitted within 45 days of receiving the notification.
In applying, you will need to submit documents showing that you meet all stream requirements and supporting the information in your Express Entry profile.
Receiving notification of interest and applying does not guarantee being nominated. However, if you meet stream requirements and have relevant supporting documents, you should be confident of scaling this step and receiving a message that confirms your nomination.
- Accept your provincial nomination
After getting the message that confirms your provincial nomination, you’ll need to accept the nomination.
Accepting the nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score in the Express Entry system, which automatically makes you a strong candidate to receive an ITA (invitation to apply for permanent residence)
- Apply for permanent residency
Only candidates that get ITAs can apply for permanent residency. If you get an ITA, proceed to the IRCC page to fill out the online application for permanent residency.
Final Thoughts
You can apply for the Ontario PNP from Nigeria either through the Expression of Interest system or the Express Entry system.
The Expression of Interest system will require that you have a Canadian job offer or higher education. So, if you have no previous connection with Canada, the Express Entry system will best serve you.
Take the assessment test on our website Assessment Forms to find out what immigration program will be best for you and one of our specialists will call you shortly to further discuss your options.
