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On September 17, 2024, Ontario conducted two Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) draws, issuing 1,443 invitations to candidates under the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate Streams. These draws highlight Ontario’s focus on attracting international graduates who can contribute to the province’s economy and academic landscape.
Masters Graduate Stream: A Path for International Students
The OINP Masters Graduate Stream remains an excellent option for international students in Canada seeking permanent residency. In this latest draw, 1,249 invitations were issued to candidates with an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 53 or higher, a slight 1-point drop from the previous draw on July 9, 2024.
For international students, this stream offers significant advantages over traditional pathways that rely on employment offers or Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). Rather than focusing on securing jobs or managing payroll, international students can enhance their prospects by pursuing a master’s degree at a reputable Canadian institution. This approach not only boosts their academic credentials but also allows them to maintain legal status in Canada while strengthening their chances of obtaining permanent residency.
PhD Graduate Stream
In addition to the Masters Graduate draw, 110 invitations were issued in the PhD Graduate Stream to candidates with an EOI score of 45 or higher, reflecting a 5-point decrease from the previous draw. This stream focuses on retaining highly educated individuals who have completed a PhD in Ontario, positioning them to contribute to research, innovation, and academic excellence within the province.
Key Highlights
The OINP Masters Graduate Stream is particularly attractive because it does not require candidates to have a job offer, LMIA, or deal with payroll management. Instead, students are encouraged to focus on their education and professional development, improving their eligibility for permanent residency. This pathway is especially appealing at a time when Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in Express Entry remain high, making provincial programs like OINP a critical alternative.
Invited candidates from both streams can now apply for a provincial nomination, which will add 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through the federal Express Entry system.
The slight drop in EOI cutoffs for both streams shows Ontario’s commitment to welcoming skilled graduates and helping them transition to permanent residents. With regular OINP draws, there are ongoing opportunities for candidates to be selected.
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