Opportunities Ontario: International Student Category

Opportunities Ontario helps employers who are having difficulty finding the skilled workers they need. Through the program, employers can recruit international students in any managerial, professional or skilled trades occupation (NOC 0, A or B).

Who can be recruited

About categories Employers use the International Student Category when they want to recruit international students. The General Category, also described on this website is used to recruit foreign workers.

Employers may recruit qualified employees for approved positions through the International Student Category, whether they are in Canada with legal status or are abroad. International students are eligible to apply in their last semester or within two years of completing their studies in Canada. All prospective nominees who are visiting or residing in Canada will be required to provide documentation of their status with their application forms. Employers will need to indicate on their application forms that they are recruiting an international student.

About the process

Opportunities Ontario is an employer-driven program with a two-step application process:

Step 1: Employers submit a Pre-screen Application to Opportunities Ontario requesting positions for which the employer would like to recruit a foreign national. Applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Step 2: The individuals who have been recruited submit a nominee application package to the Opportunities Ontario program. Applications will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Learn more

Employers interested in Opportunities Ontario can find more information about employer eligibility criteria, and how to apply, by visiting the Employer section of our website.

International students interested in Opportunities Ontario can find more information in the International Students section of our website.