Ontario Immigration - Opportunities Ontario Provincial Nominee Program

Opportunities Ontario Updates: What’s New?

Visit often … and keep up to date!

Visit this page to stay current with news, announcements and new developments in the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program.

December 18, 2012

In late 2012 Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) allocated an additional 100 nomination spots to Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program (Opportunities Ontario) for 2012.

Opportunities Ontario reached its 2012 target of 1,100 nominations at the end of November. Applicants can still submit their applications under all streams. However, since the nominations target is reached, Opportunities Ontario will no longer be able to issue any additional nominations in December 2012.

Nominee applications that cannot be finalized in 2012 will automatically be placed in priority for finalization in 2013. Complete nominee applications will be finalized on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Annual provincial nomination targets are determined by the federal government, CIC. In 2013, Opportunities Ontario will receive a new allocation of nomination spots as of January 1st 2013.

Please continue to check this website for updates.

Please note:

Applications from employers and investors remain unaffected and will continue to be accepted and finalized for the remainder of 2012.
This does not affect the Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Pilot, which has a separate nomination target of 600 for 2012, beyond the 1,100 allocated to Opportunities Ontario.
Opportunities Ontario will not be returning applications or refunding fees.
Applicants can contact our office with any questions or for more information about the status of their application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this mean for current Opportunities Ontario nominee clients?
Since Opportunities Ontario reached its nomination target, it will no longer be able to issue additional nominations in 2012. Current nominee applicants who have submitted their application in 2012 and are deemed eligible for nomination will be placed in a priority queue for nomination on a first-come first-serve basis in early 2013.
The 90 day processing time will not apply to applications thus delayed.
What does this mean for prospective Opportunities Ontario nominee clients?
Nominee applications submitted for the reminder of 2012 will not be affected. Prospective nominees can still apply to the program as their complete applications will be processed within 90 calendar days and finalized in early 2013 when the program will receive a new allocation of nomination spots.
What does this mean for new employer and investment clients?
Employers and investors who wish to apply to Opportunities Ontario can continue to do so. The processing of employer and investor applications is not affected by the nomination target. Employers and investors must first apply to Opportunities Ontario and get approval before nominee applications can be complete and processed.

November 23, 2012

As of November 5, 2012, Opportunities Ontario is able to issue support letters for open work permits for skilled workers nominated by the program under the Federal Skilled Workers Backlog Reduction Pilot (FSW Pilot).

The support letters for open work permits will be issued to all nominees nominated under the FSW Pilot. The letters will allow FSW Pilot nominees to apply for an Ontario specific open work permit with a validity of up to two years. The open work permit will allow FSW Pilot nominees to come to Ontario faster and start working in the province before they receive their Permanent Resident status.

Opportunities Ontario will make this letter of support available to all FSW Pilot nominees and will be mailing packages in the next two months.

For more information about the open work permit, please visit the Nominees – What’s Next section.

To view Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Operational Bulletin, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob470.asp.

July 23, 2012

Opportunities Ontario is now able to issue support letters for open work permits for international students nominated by the program under the PhD or Masters graduates without job offer streams.

The support letters for open work permits will be issued to provide assistance to certain graduates who require a means of maintaining or establishing status in Canada while they transition to Permanent Residence (PR) in Ontario. An open work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) would provide a bridge from student to worker for those nominees whose temporary authorization to remain in Canada following graduation would expire between the province’s nomination and the anticipated finalization of the student’s PR application. Opportunities Ontario will use its R204(c) authority under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement and its Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Annex to facilitate the issuance of open work permits.

International students are expected to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) to obtain temporary authorization to remain in Ontario. Only when PGWP avenue does not provide sufficient authorization to bridge an international student nominee to PR will Opportunities Ontario issue an open work permit.

For more information about the eligibility for the open work permit, please visit the Nominees – What’s Next section.

To view Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Operational Bulletin on Ontario’s new authority please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob406.asp.

May 3, 2012

Please note that Ontario extended the deadline to apply to the Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Pilot (FSW Pilot) from May 4, 2012 to May 31, 2012.

For more information about the application criteria and process, please visit the FSW Pilot application page.

March 29, 2012

To get more skilled workers into Ontario faster, the province is working with the federal government to help reduce the backlog under the Federal Skilled Workers Program through the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot (FSW Pilot).

Ontario is assisting with this backlog by nominating up to 600 additional foreign workers this year (2012). This is a separate component to the existing Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program (Opportunities Ontario). Opportunities Ontario’s nominations cap of 1,000 for 2012 will remain for the other parts of the program.

CIC has issued letters to all potential applicants, inviting them to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. Please note that only individuals who received this letter may apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. Applicants will have until May 4, 2012, to submit an application to Opportunities Ontario.

For more information about the application criteria and process, please visit the FSW Pilot application page.

December 1, 2011

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has changed how it processes permanent residence applications submitted by provincial nominees.

Effective December 1, 2011, all provincial nominees must submit their permanent residence applications to CIC's Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

To allow for a transition period, CIC will continue to accept applications at visa offices until March 31, 2012. After March 31, 2012 Ontario nominees must submit their permanent residence applications to CIO in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Opportunities Ontario has updated the approval package we send to provincial nominees, as of December 1st, to reflect the changes to CIC's processes.

For more details on this new federal government process Ontario’s provincial nominees can visit CIC’s website or contact our office. Provincial Nominees should always consult the federal government’s website for the latest updates with regards to permanent residence application process.

June 30, 2011

As a result of changes made by the federal government, as of June 30, 2011, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is the regulator of immigration consultants. Immigration consultants in good standing with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) on June 30, 2011, can begin to register with the ICCRC. As a transitional measure, CSIC members have a 120 days’ grace period ending on October 28, 2011 within which to register with the new governing body. (Source: Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council)

To reflect the federal government’s transitional measures, between June 30, 2011 and October 28, 2011 Opportunities Ontario will be accepting applications from persons represented by CSIC members in good standing or, transitional or full members of ICCRC. (Please note that Opportunities Ontario will accept CSIC members in transition, who are not in good standing with CSIC due to non-payment of fees.)

After October 28, 2011, Opportunities Ontario will only accept applications from persons represented by members in good standing of the ICCRC.

May 27, 2011

Opportunities Ontario has updated application forms, which gather additional information that is most commonly requested during processing of the application and will therefore improve processing.

Form 149 - Employer Pre-Screen Application Form
Form 152 - Joint Verification Form
Form 178 - Pre-Screen Application Form for Previously Approved Employers
Form 179 - Nominee Application Form Foreign Workers and International Students with a Job Offer
Form 196 - Nominee Application for International Graduates (PhD and Masters)

Please read the guide or information sheet carefully as it contains important information on how to complete the new forms.

Effective June 2, 2011, only the new version of the application forms will be accepted by Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program. Submissions received after this date, using the old forms, will be returned with a request to re-submit with the new forms. To ensure you have the most recent application forms, visit the Forms & Guides page.

September 14, 2010

Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program is expanding to allow international students graduating from Masters programs in Ontario to apply for permanent residence without a job offer.

As part of the Open Ontario Plan to create new opportunities for jobs and growth, the province is increasing the number of international students by 50 per cent while maintaining spaces for Ontario students.

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August 4, 2010

Opportunities Ontario has provided additional information on what is acceptable Canadian work experience.

June 14, 2010

International students who have graduated from a publicly funded Ontario university with a Masters degree can now apply to the program without a job offer as part of Opportunities Ontario’s new pilot.

International students who have graduated from a publicly funded Ontario university with a Masters degree may now qualify without a job offer from an Ontario employer under the Pilot International Masters Graduate Stream. Interested graduates need to submit a Nominee Application Form for International Graduates (PhD and Masters) directly to the program. For more information, please visit the International Students section of the website.

April 21, 2010

International PhD graduates who have graduated from a publicly funded Ontario university can now apply to the program without a job offer.

International PhD graduates who have graduated from a publicly funded Ontario university may now qualify without a job offer from an Ontario employer under the International PhD Graduates Stream. Interested PhD graduates need to submit a Nominee Application Form for International PhD Graduates directly to the program. For more information, please visit the International Students section of the website.

April 15, 2010

Are you an international student? Interested in updates on the program? Want to connect with others interested in Opportunities Ontario? You can now learn more about the program on our Facebook page.

Opportunities Ontario has launched its own Facebook page designed specifically for international students who are interested in learning more about how to qualify for the program. Students can visit often to learn about the latest updates and also post questions they may have.

July 20, 2009

The Nominee Application Form is now available on this website.

Opportunities Ontario has made it easier for prospective nominees to apply to the program. Prospective nominees can now complete the Nominee Application Form electronically before printing and submitting the completed form to Opportunities Ontario. Please consult the Nominee Application Guide for detailed instructions on how to complete the Nominee Application Form.

Only individuals who have been issued a valid pre-screen file number are eligible to use this form. Nominee Application Forms from individuals without pre-approved Ontario employers will be returned. No record will be kept of the submission. Individuals found using this form fraudulently may be disqualified from future participation in any immigration program with the Government of Ontario.

For prospective nominees without Internet access or experiencing technical problems, please contact us for assistance or to request a Nominee Application Form to be sent by mail. Prospective nominees can contact Opportunities Ontario at 1-866-214-6820 (toll free in North America) or by e-mail at Opportunities.Ontario@ontario.ca.

July 8, 2009

Opportunities Ontario brochures are now available.

Opportunities Ontario brochures for employers, foreign workers, international students and investors as well as a general brochure explaining the program are now available on this website.

June 17, 2009

The Investment Referral Form is now available on this website.

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) is the first point of contact and referral for investors interested in using the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program. By completing this Investment Referral Form, prospective investors will assist MCI to determine the most appropriate ministry to assess the investment proposal. After completing this Referral Form, prospective investors may send it to Opportunities Ontario electronically at Opportunities.Ontario@ontario.ca.

February 20, 2009

The Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program became Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program (Opportunities Ontario) on February 20, 2009.

Opportunities Ontario can nominate up to a maximum of 1,000 newcomers in 2009, many of whom are expected to be accompanied by their immediate family members. All prospective nominees must have full-time permanent job offers from pre-approved employers in a NOC 0, A or B occupation in order to be eligible.

Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis subject to the program criteria. Employers should apply early, as the number of potential nominations is limited.

Read the news release and backgrounder on this website.

Can you provide a list of employers who are hiring for required occupations?

Opportunities Ontario does not maintain a list of eligible employers searching for employees. It is the responsibility of an Ontario employer to apply to Opportunities Ontario, and, if approved, recruit a qualified individual for the approved position. Learn more about the Ontario labour market and occupation classifications.
Can my family immigrate with me?

Accompanying ‘eligible’ family members of nominees may immigrate to Ontario once medical and security checks have been passed. Federal immigration law defines which family members can be included with a permanent resident application. Learn more about ‘eligible’ family members.
What happens to my application when the full quota has been reached?

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. When the program reaches its target, submitted applications will be assessed in the next calendar year. All applications received will be processed. The processing fee is non-refundable, but guarantees the processing of the application irrespective of the calendar year. You can stay up to date by checking what’s new with Opportunities Ontario.
My work permit is about to expire. What should I do?

Even if nominated by Opportunities Ontario, it is your responsibility to ensure you remain in proper status in Canada until you receive permanent resident status from the federal government. You should either renew, extend or apply for proper temporary resident status throughout your stay in the country. Learn more about work permits in Canada and how to apply.
Do you accept IELTS or TOEFL results as proof of English proficiency?

Only Master’s graduate students require a language proficiency test. Opportunities Ontario accepts only IELTS – General with an overall band score of 7 for English, or TEF with an overall band score of 5 for French, that has been obtained within 12 months of applying.
Can I change jobs or temporarily leave Canada after I submit my application?

Once you become a permanent resident, you can live and work anywhere in Canada. If you leave your current employer during either the nomination process or the permanent residence application process, your nomination and application can be denied by Opportunities Ontario. Prolonged absences from Ontario can also affect your eligibility for the program. You should keep Opportunities Ontario informed.
What documents are required to prove my residency in Ontario?

To prove your intention to settle in Ontario, you will need to demonstrate one year of physical residence in Ontario, in the past two years, and your presence in the province at the time of your application. You should provide credit card statements, leasing documents or bills and accounts with your name and Ontario address. See Page 12, Demonstrating Residence in Ontario.
As a student, does my overseas money count towards the funds requirement?

If the account is in your name, your overseas bank statements will be accepted in support of your nominee application. If you have received financial support from your parents or any family member, you will need to submit a letter of support, stating their ongoing financial support, original bank statements and account balance.
As an international student, my final semester is part-time. Is that okay?

To qualify for Opportunities Ontario, international students are expected to study on a full-time basis. You may be considered eligible for the program if you have proof that course offerings at your university compelled you to complete your final semester on a part-time basis. However, studying part-time by choice rather than by compulsion may affect your eligibility for the program.
How long will it take to process my nomination and permanent resident application?

Opportunities Ontario aims to process nominee and employer applications on a first-come first-served basis within 90 days, provided they are complete. Federal government application processing times vary across visa offices. More information is available at your respective visa office.