Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program, now named the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), is improving to meet the needs of foreign businesses and entrepreneurs, and to reflect Ontario’s evolving economic and labour market needs. The Ministry is introducing two new OINP business streams (Corporate and Entrepreneur) to be launched in fall 2015 to attract foreign investment and talent, create jobs for Ontarians and strengthen Ontario’s linkages to global markets. These new streams are replacing the Investor Component. More information on these streams can be found here:

• Entrepreneur
• Corporate

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program: Corporate Stream

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s Corporate Stream helps and supports established international corporations looking to expand into Ontario or buy an existing business. Once your business has been successfully established, key staff are eligible to apply for nomination that could lead to permanent resident status.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for this program if you have a viable business activity that will bring significant economic benefit to our province. If we approve your proposal, your key staff may apply for a temporary work permit in order to establish your business.

• Corporations must invest a minimum of $5 million CDN in a new or existing business
• Key staff seeking nomination must be currently employed with the corporation and be essential to the operation of the business in Ontario
• You must create five full-time, permanent positions for Canadian citizens or permanent residents per nominee position
• Key staff nominees will have two years to demonstrate a minimum language requirement prior to permanent residence nomination
• Other criteria will apply

Therefore, as of October 29, 2015, new applications under the OINP Investor Component will no longer be accepted.

Applications for the redesigned business streams will be available in fall 2015. All applications received on or before October 29, 2015 will be processed under the Investor Component criteria as it applied at the date of application.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program: Entrepreneur

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s Entrepreneur Stream is designed to support individuals from countries outside Canada who are looking to implement a new business initiative or buy an existing business in our province. The program offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to be nominated for permanent resident status once their new business has been successfully established in Ontario.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for this program if you have a viable business activity that will bring significant economic benefit to our province. You and your business partner may apply for a temporary work permit in order to establish your business if we approve your proposal. Once your business has been successfully established, you and one business partner may be eligible for nomination by the Province.

• Minimum investment of $500,000 CDN for each potential nominee, depending on location and sector
• Minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN for each potential nominee, depending on location and sector
• If required, the entrepreneur may identify a business partner for nomination to assist in the establishment of the business in Ontario
• The entrepreneur and/or business partner will have two years to meet minimum program requirements (including language) prior to permanent residence nomination
• You must create at least two full-time, permanent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Other criteria will apply

Please Contact Us for more information.