Imagine this: You’ve just finished your master’s degree in Ontario. You’ve spent years studying, making friends, and building a life here. But now, you’re wondering—what’s next? How can you stay in Canada and make it your permanent home?
Good news! If you have a master’s degree from an Ontario university, you might qualify for permanent residency (PR) in Canada without needing any work experience. Sounds easy, right? That’s because Ontario has a special program just for you!
What is the OINP Master’s Graduate Stream?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Master’s Graduate Stream helps international students who have completed a master’s degree in Ontario become permanent residents. Unlike many other immigration programs, this one does not require a job offer or prior work experience. That means you can apply for PR based on your education alone!
However, you must first register an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before submitting your application.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the OINP Master’s Graduate Stream, you need to meet a few basic requirements:
✅ Education: You must have completed a master’s degree from an approved Ontario university. The program must be at least one full academic year long (even if studied part-time). You cannot apply if you are still a student—unless you are already working full-time in Ontario.
✅ Residency in Ontario: You must have lived in Ontario for at least 12 months in the last two years before applying. This time doesn’t have to be continuous—it just needs to add up to 12 months.
✅ Legal Status in Canada: If you are in Canada, you need a valid study permit, work permit, or visitor status when you apply. If you recently completed your degree and returned to your home country, you can still apply as long as you meet all the other requirements.
✅ Language Skills: You must prove your English or French skills by scoring at least CLB 7 on an accepted language test. The approved tests are:
- English: IELTS (General), CELPIP (General), PTE (Core)
- French: TEF, TCF
✅ Financial Proof: You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents. This can be through bank statements, savings, or a job offer.
✅ Intent to Stay in Ontario: The government wants to know that you truly plan to live in Ontario. You can prove this by having a job, volunteering, renting an apartment, or having family in the province.
✅ Application Deadline: You must apply within two years of receiving your master’s degree. If you haven’t received your degree yet, you can use an official university letter stating your expected graduation date.
How to Apply?
- Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) on Ontario’s online system.
- Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Submit your full application within the given time frame.
- If approved, receive a nomination from Ontario.
- Apply for permanent residency to the Canadian government.
💡 Processing time varies, but it usually takes a few months from ITA to final PR approval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Do I need work experience to apply? No! This is one of the very few PR programs in Canada that does not require work experience.
❓ Can I apply if I am currently in another province? No, you must be living in Ontario or have recently returned to your home country after studying in Ontario.
❓ What if I studied part-time? Your part-time program must still be equivalent to at least one full-time academic year.
❓ How long does the process take? Processing times vary, but it typically takes several months from ITA to final PR approval.
❓ Where can I get official information? You can find all details on the official Government of Ontario website: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
If you’re a master’s graduate looking for a fast and easy path to Canadian PR, Ask Kubeir is here to help! Our team of experts will guide you through every step, making sure your application is complete and error-free.
📩 Contact us today and start your journey to Canadian permanent residency!
CONTACT US!
📞 Call us: 04 526 4646
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🌐 Website: www.askkubeir.ae
