Common Questions

Immigrating to Ontario

Applications

1. How do I apply to immigrate?
2. Should I apply to the Government of Ontario as well as the Government of Canada in order to immigrate?
3. What forms do I need to fill out to apply for immigration? Where do I get the forms?
4. How do I know if I qualify for immigration to Ontario?
5. What are the costs for processing immigration applications?
6. How long does it take to process my application?
7. How can I follow up on the status of my application?
8. What do I have to do to sponsor a family member?
9. How do I adopt a child from outside Canada?

Important Documents

1. What is a Social Insurance Number? How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number?
2. What is a permanent resident card?
3. I am a landed immigrant who has left Canada without a permanent resident card. How do I re-enter the country?

Health Care

1. How can I find a doctor?
2. Where can I find a hospital?
3. Are all health services covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)?
4. Where can I get a health card?
5. Am I eligible to receive medical services when I arrive in Ontario as an immigrant? How do I arrange for private health insurance during my first three months in Ontario?
6. Does the Ontario Government offer health insurance to immigrants?

Francophone Immigration

1. I come from a Francophone country. How can I find out about Ontario's Francophone community and provincial government services in French?

Jobs

Temporary Work Permits

1. What should I do if an employer wants to hire me to work in Ontario?
2. What is a temporary work permit? How can I get one?

Getting a Job

1. How can I find a job teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)?
2. How do I find a job in Ontario?
3. What jobs and professions are in demand in Ontario?
4. What are my rights in the Ontario workplace (Employment Standards Act - ESA)
5. Who is protected by the ESA?
6. What basic rights are protected by the ESA?
7. Can employees be punished for claiming their rights?
8. How can I contact the Ministry of Labour?

Professions and Trades

1. How can I get my education, professional credentials and skills assessed?
2. Where can I get information on professional associations and regulatory bodies?
3. Where can I get job-specific training?
4. What do I do if I want to work as a live-in caregiver in Ontario?

Business Immigration

General Information

1. Where can I get information about the Ontario economy?
2. Should I visit Ontario before I immigrate to learn more about starting a business or investing?
3. Do you offer information sessions about investing or starting a business in Ontario?
4. Where can I get information on tax laws?
5. I am interested in starting a business, investing or becoming an entrepreneur in Ontario. What do I need to do?

Business Immigration Applications

1. How much does it cost to apply as a business immigrant?
2. How long does it take to process my business immigration application?
3. What forms do I have to fill out to apply for immigration if I am investing or starting a business in Ontario?

Services for Business Immigrants

1. What government support is available if I want to start a business or invest in Ontario?

Education and Training

General Information

1. If I am an international student, what are my employment options?
2. How long does it take to process my application to study in Ontario?
3. What are the costs for processing international student applications?
4. What should I do if I want to study in Ontario?

Financial Assistance

1. Are refugees eligible for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program)?
2. Are international students eligible for loans and bursaries?

Credential Assessment Services

1. How can I get my international credentials assessed?

Ontario’s Education System

1. If I am an adult, what programs are available if I want to upgrade or improve my education?
2. Where can I learn about Ontario's education system?

Ontario’s Universities and Community Colleges

1. Where can I get information about Ontario's universities and community colleges?

Settlement: Moving to Ontario

1. Where can I find information on recreational facilities and activities in my new community?
2. Will there be anyone to assist me when I arrive?
3. How should I prepare for moving to Ontario? Are there important documents I should have with me?

Language Training

1. Where can I go to improve my French?
2. Where can I go to improve my English?

Becoming a Canadian Citizen

1. How do I become a Canadian citizen?

Answers to Common Questions

Immigrating to Ontario

Applications

1. The Government of Canada, through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), is responsible for processing immigration applications. You can find information on their website about requirements, the application process and the downloadable application forms and guides. The Government of Ontario does not process immigration applications. However, the government of Ontario has a Provincial Nominee Program, Opportunities Ontario, through which Ontario nominates individuals and their families for permanent resident status. Nominated individuals must then apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
2. No. You are only required to apply to the Government of Canada. You can learn about the immigration application process and download the relevant forms on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
3. You will find the required forms and guides on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
4. There are no specific requirements to immigrate to Ontario. Get information about immigrating to Canada.
5. You can refer to the fee schedule for citizenship and immigration services You can also calculate your total application fees using this tool.
6. Application processing times may vary. You can check your application status online for process updates.
7. You can check your application status online or by contacting Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 1-888-242-2100. You can also contact the Canadian visa office in your country.
8. Find out about the application process and the sponsor’s responsibilities.
9. There are two processes to complete in order to adopt a child from another country: the adoption process and the immigration process. The Province of Ontario is responsible for the adoption process and the Government of Canada, through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, is responsible for the immigration process. Find out about how to complete the adoption process and how to complete the immigration process for an adoptee.

Important Documents

1. Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number required for temporary and permanent residents to work legally in Canada and to have access to government programs and benefits. You can apply for a SIN at a Service Canada office. Make sure you bring with you the required documents and a completed application form.
2. If you are a permanent resident in Canada, you need to show your permanent resident card to re-enter the country.
3. You must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a travel document proving that you are a landed immigrant in Canada.

Health Care

1. You can find a doctor by searching the directory of doctors in Ontario. You may also use you local telephone directory to find a doctor in your community.
2. You can find a listing of hospitals in Ontario on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
3. No. Although emergency health services and most medical services are covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), there are services that are not covered. Find out about other facts about OHIP.
4. If you are eligible, you can obtain a health card from a Service Ontario centre. You will need to fill out an application form and take it with you along with additional documents when you apply for a health card.
5. You are eligible to receive medical services after you arrive in Ontario but are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) during your first three months. Make sure you have arranged for private health coverage prior to your arrival. If you choose not to acquire private health coverage, you will have to pay a fee for medical services. To get health insurance for your first three months in Ontario, you must purchase coverage during your first five days after arriving.
6. Permanent residents, temporary workers, convention refugees and other specific groups may receive coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) three months after arriving in Ontario. Apply for public health insurance as soon as you arrive in order to ensure you are covered after your first three months. Find more information on OHIP eligibility and regarding health care in Canada.

Francophone Immigration

1. You will find information about the different programs and services available to Francophone immigrants in Ontario in our Living in French section and on Etablissement.org (en français).

Jobs

Temporary Work Permits

1. You must either be a permanent resident or have a work permit in order to work in Ontario. You are also required to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It may also be necessary to have your international academic credentials assessed and recognized.
2. Temporary work permits are used to give you permission to work for a specific period of time with an employer in Ontario. You must obtain this permit before entering Canada. Your Canadian employer will be required to consult with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada to process your work permit. You may also be interested in the Ontario Government's Multinational Employee Transfer. Find out more with the Foreign Workers - Intracompany Transfer Guide (PDF).

Getting a Job

1. If you want to teach ESL to newcomers, try contacting some front-line organizations who provide these services. You will find many resources on our site including information about the LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) programs.
2. You can access job offers, wage information, job demand and skills requirements with the Working in Canada tool. You may also benefit from labour market information that will provide you with current market trends. There are numerous websites that provide you information on how write a résumé, a cover letter and on other aspects of the job application process. Employment Ontario funds a variety of services to help you in your job search. Jobs are also advertised in newspapers, on websites and through local employment agencies.
3. Utilisez l'outil Working in Canada tool for wage information, job demand and skills requirements in Canada. You can also find labour market information for Ontario including current market trends.
4. The Employment Standards Act, 2000, known as the ESA, is a law that sets minimum standards in employment for fair workplace practices in Ontario. You can find Employment Standards information on many languages. You may find the frequently asked questions and the Guide to the Employment Standards Act published on the Ministry of Labour's site very useful.
5. If you work as an employee in Ontario, you are probably protected by the Employment Standards Act (ESA). However, the ESA does not cover federal employees and a few employees in other special categories. There are exceptions and special rules for some employees under the law. Contact the Ministry of Labour to find out how you are protected by the ESA.
6. Here are the basic rights covered by the Act.

   Hours of Work:

   Generally, employees cannot be required or permitted to work more than:

   • 8 hours a day, or the number of hours in an established work day if it is more than 8;
   • 48 hours a week.

   An employee can agree in writing to work more than these limits. Such agreements are valid only if the employer gives the employee (where there is no trade union) an information sheet prepared by the ministry about hours of work and overtime before the agreement is made, and the agreement states that the employee received the information sheet. In addition, an employee cannot work more than 48 hours a week unless the employer has an approval for excess hours from the Director of Employment Standards (subject to certain exceptions). Read more about Hours of Work.

   Overtime:

   Most employees must be paid overtime pay after 44 hours of work each week. The overtime rate must be at least 1½ times the regular rate of pay.

   Minimum Wage:

   	March 31, 2010 (current rate)
   General Minimum Wage	$10.25 per hour
   Student Minimum Wage	$9.60 per hour

   Note: The minimum wage is different for liquor servers, home workers, and hunting and fishing guides. For more information, Minimum Wage.

   Payment:

   Employees must be paid on a regular, recurring payday and given a statement showing their wages and deductions for that pay period.

   Vacation Time and Pay:

   Most employees earn at least two weeks of vacation time after every 12 months of employment. Employees are entitled to be paid at least 4% of their total wages earned as vacation pay.

   Public Holidays:

   A public holiday is a day off work, with public holiday pay. Ontario has nine public holidays every year. Most employees are allowed to take public holidays off regardless of how long they've been working and whether they're full-time, part-time, permanent, a student, or on a limited-term contract.

   Pregnancy and Parental Leave:

   Eligible employees are entitled to take 17 weeks of Pregnancy Leave and 35 weeks of Parental Leave (if they have taken Pregnancy Leave). All other eligible parents, including pregnant employees who don't take Pregnancy Leave, can take up to 37 weeks of Parental Leave. These are unpaid, job-protected leave periods. Read more about Pregnancy and Parental Leave.

   Personal Emergency Leave:

   If an employer regularly employs at least 50 people, its employees are allowed to take up to 10 days a year of unpaid, job-protected Emergency Leave. This leave is for personal illness, injury, or medical emergency, or for the death, illness, injury, medical emergency or urgent matter of certain family members. Find out more about Personal Emergency Leave.

   Family Medical Leave:

   Employees can take Family Medical Leave to care for and support certain family members who have a serious illness with a significant risk of dying within a period of 26 weeks. It is unpaid, job-protected leave of up to eight weeks in a 26-week period.

   Termination Notice and Pay:

   An employer must give an employee advance written notice, or termination pay instead of notice, or a combination of both, if the employee has been working continuously for three months or more and his or her job is terminated. The amount of notice or pay depends on how long the employee has been working for the employer and the number of employees being terminated in a four-week period. Find out more about Termination of Employment.

   The Ministry of Labour has brochures about multilingual employment standards in 23 different languages. To view these brochures, please visit Multilingual Publications.

7. No.  Employers cannot intimidate, fire, suspend, or otherwise punish an employee, or threaten any of these actions because the employee asks for or asks about their ESA rights. If this happens, contact the Ministry of Labour.
8. To contact the Ministry of Labour for more information about the Employment Standards Act, please call the Employment Standards Information Centre at 416-326-7160, toll-free at 1-800-531-5551, or TTY at 1-866-567-8893.

   Information and ESA publications are also available from the Employment Standards section of the Ministry of Labour’s website.

   You may also visit your local ServiceOntario Centre. For the location nearest you, please call 1-800-267-8097.

Professions and Trades

1. You can find information on education and credential assessment on our site and learn about Ontario's professional licensing bodies. You may also want to know about apprenticeship program to work in the trades and about bridge training programs to enter the Canadian market.
2. In Ontario, each regulated profession has its own regulatory body. You will find informaton on regulated professions and their regulatory bodies on our site by choosing your profession in the left navigation bar.
3. The Ontario government supports Bridge Training programs to help newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade, so that they can work in Ontario. Find out more about these job-specific training.
4. You will find information about working as a Live-in Caregiver on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Business Immigration

General Information

1. You can find information about the Ontario's economy and get economic updates on the Ontario Ministry of Finance's website and find out about the Canadian economy from Industry Canada.
2. Yes. Use your trip to network, learn about the business climate and experience Ontario's high quality of life. You might need to acquire a visa before visiting.
3. The Ontario Government offers a General Information Seminar every first Tuesday afternoon of every month in English. A second seminar, “Doing Business in Ontario,” is intended for recently landed business immigrants and is held a few times a year in English and in other languages. These seminars are held in downtown Toronto.
4. You can find information on tax rates, and interest rates and revenues as well as on credits, benefits and incentives in Ontario on the Ministry of Finance site.
5. You can first get some information on becoming a business immigrant. The Invest in Ontario is an excellent resource for immigrants looking to start a business in Ontario.

Business Immigration Applications

1. You can find the application fees on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada site and additional information on business immigration such as how much you need to invest in Ontario on Invest in Ontario.
2. Application processing times can vary. You can check your application status online for process updates.
3. The application forms and guides are available on the Citizenship Immigration Canada site. You can also find information on applying for immigration as a business immigrant in Ontario.

Services for Business Immigrants

1. The Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada provide support to new businesses through Small Business Enterprise Centres. You can also find out about programs and services available and take advantage of resources for entrepreneur such as business plans templates and samples.

Education and Training

General Information

1. There are employment opportunities for international students while studying in Canada. Certain students are eligible to work in their field of study for up to two years after graduating. Eligible students must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a work permit. Please note that you need a social insurance number to work in Canada.
2. Application processing times vary. You can check your application status online for process updates.
3. Refer to the fee schedule for citizenship and immigration services. You can also calculate your total application fees using this tool.
4. Get some information on coming to Canada to study and about studying in Ontario. Please note that universities and community colleges have their own admission requirements for international students. Contact the university or the college that interest you to get more information.

Financial Assistance

1. You could be eligible to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) if you meet the eligibility conditions.
2. International students are not eligible to receive financial support from the Ontario Student Assistance Program. However, each post-secondary institution has its own financial assistance plan for international students. Contact the financial aid office of Ontario's universities and community colleges.

Credential Assessment Services

1. Read about academic credential assessment services on our site for information and contacts.

Ontario’s Education System

1. Adults who want to earn a high school diploma in Ontario may do so by attending classes through local school boards. Adults may also earn a high school diploma by studying at home through the Ontario Government's Independent Learning Centre. Universities and community colleges accept mature post-secondary students and will often offer continuing education programs.
2. Find information about the school system and academic programs in Ontario.

Ontario’s Universities and Community Colleges

1. The Ministy of Training, Colleges and Universities gives you information about about Ontario's universities, community colleges, student financial assistance plans and post-secondary education in Ontario.

Settlement - Moving to Ontario

1. Recreational facilities are the responsibility of municipal governments. You can contact your municipality for information on recreational activities in your area.
2. Make sure you prepare well before you arrive and that you have all of the documents you need. Try to arrange for a friend or a family member to meet you at the airport so that you get all of the help you need. If you land at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, look for the Immigrant Reception and Information Services (IRIS) booth for information and referral. Know that you can always use the Services Near Me directory to locate services and programs available in your community.
3. The Welcome to Ontario and First Days in Ontario guides, available in many languages, can help you plan your arrival. Our Before You Arrive section also provides you with the information you need to prepare for your arrival, including the documents you must bring with you.

Language Training

1. French as a Second Language training is available in Ontario through offices of l'Alliance française in Canada, postsecondary institutions and school boards. Use our language class wizard to find a French language training program near you.
2. Basic English language assessment and instruction for adults is available in Ontario. School boards also deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for children and non-credit programs for adults. Use our language class wizard to find an English language training program near you. Also, community colleges offer advanced level English as a Second Language (ESL). Contact them directly for more information.

Becoming a Canadian Citizen

1. The requirements and applications are available from the Government of Canada.