Ontario offers much sought-after post-graduate programs based on quality of education and research opportunities, making this Canadian province one of the most popular study destinations for international students.
On January 29th, Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) re-opened two of its most popular permanent resident immigration programs targeting international graduates, the Ph.D. Graduate Stream and the Masters Graduate Stream. The Masters Graduate Stream is now closed but the province stated that it will re-open it periodically through the year. The Ph.D. Graduate Stream remains open to international graduates until it reaches its intake limit. The province did not disclose the intake limits for these two post-graduate streams. Based on a first-come, first-serve basis the limit is often reached quickly. The Masters Graduate Stream reached its limit an hour after it opened.
The Ph.D. Graduate Stream and Masters Graduate Streams are designed to retain international graduates who have completed their studies in Ontario. No job offer is required to apply to these streams which make them a popular option for the international graduates.
Successful applicants who meet the outlined requirements receive a Base Provincial Nomination certificate and may apply for permanent residence. Base streams facilitate a pathway to Canadian permanent residence but are not linked to the federal Express Entry program.
The province of Ontario can nominate 6,600 people in 2018 through its OINP program, including the Ph.D. Graduate and Masters Graduate Streams.
