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 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.
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.
