Applying as an International PhD Graduate

Who can apply as an international PhD graduate in Ontario?

In order to apply to Opportunities Ontario as an international PhD graduate in Ontario, students must:

• Have graduated from an existing PhD program at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario.
• OR
  
• Have successfully completed all degree requirements for the program (i.e completion of course work and successfully defended their thesis and are awaiting the granting of their degree).
• AND
  
• Have completed at least two years of their PhD studies at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario.
• Apply within two years of the date on which their PhD degree was granted.
• Have legal status, if the international PhD graduate applicant is in Canada.

Ontario international PhD students may apply for the program from within Canada or from overseas.

Important

International students subsidized through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) grants or home country scholarship with return obligations will not be eligible for Opportunities Ontario unless such obligations have been fulfilled.

What documents do I need to submit?

Please visit the Forms and Guides page of this website to complete and download the nominee application form for international PhD graduates.

You will need to submit the following documents to demonstrate that you meet Opportunities Ontario eligibility criteria and to confirm your identity, family situation and education:

• A copy of your birth certificate.
• A copy of all the pages of your passport. All prospective nominees should ensure that their passports will be valid for at least two years from the time that they submit their nominee application.
• A copy of your work permit, study permit, temporary resident visa, and/or any other Canadian immigration document or entry stamp you have received. If these documents are inside your copied passport, you do not need to make additional copies.
• Copy of each dependant’s passport page which shows his/her photo and personal information.
• A certified true copy of relevant university degree(s) if the degree has been granted. If the degree has not been granted, you will need to submit:
  
  • Official letter (on institution letterhead) from the university which will be granting the PhD confirming:
    1. all degree requirements have been successfully completed;
    2. there are no outstanding fees to be paid; and
    3. the scheduled date when your degree will be granted.
  • Official transcripts in sealed envelope sent directly from the academic institution which will be granting the PhD.
• A copy of your current resumé.

How quickly will my application be processed?

Complete nominee application packages will be processed within 90 days, on a first-come-first-served basis.

What are the fees?

Opportunities Ontario will charge a non-refundable nominee application processing fee of $1,500 for all international students.

What happens after I am approved?

A Provincial Nomination Certificate will be issued for all successful nominees. Successful nominees must then apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. A successful provincial nomination replaces the selection component under other immigration classes (such as the Federal Skilled Worker Class, and the Family Class). Provincial nominees will receive priority processing from CIC.

For more information, please visit our Nominees: What’s Next section of our website.