On August 30, 2023, Ontario, through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), issued invitations for applications. These invitations were granted under the Master’s Graduate Stream for international students who have completed their master’s degrees.
The Latest Draw for Ontario PNP
- Date: August 30, 2023
- Stream: Master’s Graduate
- Minimum Score: Expression of Interest (EOI) 44
- Total Invitations Issued: 772
The invitations were extended to profiles created between November 22, 2022, and August 30, 2023, encompassing a broad range of candidates eligible under the Master’s Graduate Stream.
Recipients of the Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are now eligible to submit their applications for permanent residency in Canada through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Number of OINP Draws for Master’s Graduate Stream in 2023
The recent express entry draw marks the fifth draw conducted by the Ontario PNP for the Master’s Graduate Stream in 2023.
Summary of Ontario PNP Master’s Graduate Stream Draws in 2023
| Ontario PNP: Masters Graduate Stream Draws in 2023 | |||
| Draw Number | Date | Minimum Score | Total invitations issued |
| 5 | August 30, 2023 | EOI 44 | 772 |
| 4 | August 1, 2023 | EOI 48 | 755 |
| 3 | June 6, 2023 | EOI 46 | 1,175 |
| 2 | April 4, 2023 | EOI 52 | 752 |
| 1 | January 25, 2023 | EOI 44 | 692 |
| Total invitations in 2023 so far | 4,146 | ||
The cumulative number of invitations issued in 2023 thus far amounts to 4,146.
Overview of Ontario PNP’s Master’s Graduate Stream
The OINP’s Master’s Graduate stream serves as a pathway for international graduates to achieve permanent settlement in Ontario. Eligible candidates hold a master’s degree conferred by one of the 30 recognized educational institutions in Ontario.
Application Process for Permanent Residency via OINP’s Master’s Graduate Stream
The application process involves the following steps:
- Register a profile in the OINP Expression of Interest System.
- Obtain an Invitation to Apply from the Ontario PNP and check required documents.
- Apply online for provincial nomination by Ontario.
- Secure the OINP nomination.
- Apply to IRCC for Canadian Permanent Residency.
- Recognized Educational Institutions for OINP’s Master’s Graduate Stream
To qualify for consideration under the Master’s Graduate Stream, the applicant must have obtained their master’s degree from one of the following 30 recognized institutions in Ontario:
Ontario PNP Masters Graduate Stream | Eligible Educational Institutions
| Ontario PNP Masters Graduate Stream | Eligible Educational Institutions | ||
| Algoma University | Brescia University College(Affiliated with the University of Western Ontario) | Brock University |
| Carleton University | Dominican University College | Huron University College(Affiliated with the University of Western Ontario) |
| King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario | Lakehead University | Laurentian University |
| McMaster University | Nipissing University | Ontario College of Art & Design University |
| Queen’s University | Royal Military College of Canada | Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) |
| Saint Paul University (Federated with the University of Ottawa) | St. Jerome’s University (Federated with the University of Waterloo) | Trent University |
| University of Guelph | University of Ontario Institute of Technology | University of Ottawa |
| University of St. Michael’s College (Federated with the University of Toronto) | University of Toronto | University of Trinity College (Federated with the University of Toronto) |
| University of Waterloo | University of Windsor | Victoria University (Federated with the University of Toronto) |
| Western University | Wilfrid Laurier University | York University |
Eligibility Requirements for Ontario Master’s Graduate Program
To be eligible for nomination under the Master’s Graduate stream, candidates must satisfy the following criteria:
- Possession of an ITA from OINP.
- Ability to substantiate all claimed qualifications in the ITA.
- Completion of at least one academic year of full-time study for a master’s degree from a recognized Ontario university.
- English proficiency at a minimum level of CLB 7 (equivalent to 6.0 in IELTS General Training for speaking, listening, reading, and writing).
- Legal residence in Ontario for a minimum of one year within the two years before applying.
- Adequate settlement funds to support themselves and dependents, which can be demonstrated through available funds in the bank, mutual funds, yearly income from ongoing employment in Ontario, or a job offer in Ontario.
- A clear intention to permanently settle in Ontario.
- OINP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) Score
Upon registering an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with OINP, candidates are assigned scores based on factors such as work or study permit status, earnings in Canada, education level, field of study, Canadian educational experience, language proficiency, location of study in Ontario, and more. The minimum score requirement varies from draw to draw.
It’s important to note that, before applying, candidates must:
- Register an EOI.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply from OINP.
