Immigration to Ontario for Masters Graduates
If you've studied at an Ontario university for at least one year, you may be eligible to immigrate through the Masters Graduate stream.
The OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program) Masters Graduate Stream is a program for master's degree graduates in Ontario that offers an opportunity to receive a nomination for permanent residence in Canada.
Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the Masters Graduate Stream, you must meet several mandatory requirements:
- Education. Candidates must have completed a master's degree program at a recognized Ontario university lasting at least 1 year.
- Language skills. Candidates must have English or French language proficiency at CLB 7 or higher. To prove language level, candidates need to submit results from IELTS, CELPIP, or PTE for English, or TEF or TCF for French.
- Canadian residency. Candidates must have legally resided in Ontario for at least 12 months in total during the two years before applying.
- Financial resources. Candidates must demonstrate sufficient funds to live in Canada. Proof can include bank statements, investment income, annual income from current activities in Canada, or a job offer in Canada.
- Intention to live in Ontario. Candidates must prove they intend to live and work in Ontario after receiving the nomination. Evidence can include work or work experience in the province, a job offer or active job search, studies, volunteer work, renting or owning property, or having professional, family, or personal ties.
You must apply for the Masters Graduate Stream within two years of receiving your master's degree. At the time of application, you can be either in Ontario or outside of Canada. When applying from within Canada, candidates must have legal status (e.g., student or worker status).
Before applying for this program, candidates need to register in the Expression of Interest system and then receive an Invitation to Apply.
Proof of Funds
The amount you need to demonstrate as proof of sufficient funds depends on your family size. This includes yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and children. These amounts were updated on June 3, 2024.
| Number of family members | Required amount in Canadian dollars |
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
| 5 | $30,690 |
| 6 | $34,917 |
| 7 | $38,875 |
| Each additional family member | $3,958 |
Candidate Assessment
Ontario evaluates candidates through the provincial Expression of Interest system. Points are awarded as follows:
| Criteria | Points |
| LABOR MARKET FACTORS | |
| Work or Study Permit | |
| Valid work or study permit | 10 |
| No valid work or study permit | 0 |
| Earnings History | |
| Earnings of $40,000 CAD or more per year | 3 |
| Earnings less than $40,000 CAD per year | 0 |
| EDUCATION | |
| Education Level | |
| Doctoral degree | 10 |
| Master's degree | 8 |
| Bachelor's degree | 6 |
| College diploma or other professional education | 5 |
| Education below college level | 0 |
| Field of Study | |
| Engineering, healthcare, mathematics, computer science, agriculture and natural resources management, mechanics and repair, architecture, construction and manufacturing | 12 |
| Business and administration, sociology, law or education, behavioral science, personal, security and transportation services, social work and similar programs | 6 |
| Arts and humanities | 0 |
| Canadian Study Experience | |
| More than one completed education in Canada | 10 |
| One completed education in Canada | 5 |
| LANGUAGE SKILLS | |
| CLB Language Level | |
| Level 9 or higher | 10 |
| Level 8 | 6 |
| Level 7 | 4 |
| Level 6 or lower | 0 |
| Official Language Knowledge | |
| Knowledge of two languages (CLB 7 for first language, CLB 6 for second) | 10 |
| Knowledge of one language | 5 |
| REGIONAL IMMIGRATION | |
| Location of Educational Institution | |
| Northern Ontario | 10 |
| Other cities outside Toronto and its suburbs (GTA) | 8 |
| Toronto suburbs (GTA) | 3 |
| Within Toronto or distance learning | 0 |
Learn about other streams of the Ontario Provincial Program in the article "Immigration to Ontario — Canada's Provincial Program".
How to Apply
If you're planning to move to Canada, you should develop a solid immigration strategy. Canada offers numerous immigration programs and opportunities, but it's crucial to choose the one that fits your situation and circumstances.
To create a reliable path for your immigration to Canada, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration consultant who can help you navigate all the intricacies and details of the process. Schedule a consultation and start taking steps towards your goal!
