Immigration to Ontario for international students

The International Student stream allows foreigners who have graduated and gotten a job offer in Ontario to get permanent residency.

The International Student stream of Ontario's provincial program is for international graduates who have found work in the province.

Eligibility

To immigrate through the International Student stream, you must meet the following requirements:

be a specialist in occupation of the NOC skill level 0, A, or B (managerial, skilled, or trades occupations);
get a job offer in Ontario;
complete a minimum 2-year program at one of the suitable universities in Canada.

Candidate evaluation

Ontario evaluates applicants using the provincial Expression of Interest system, where points are awarded for work experience, level and field of education, specialty, and so on:

Criterion	Points
JOB OFFER
NOC skill level
Level A	10
Level B	8
Level C or D	0
NOC skill type
Types 0, 1, 2, 3, 9	10
Types 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	5
Suggested hourly wage
$40 CAD or more	10
$20 to $39.99 CAD	5
Less than $20 CAD	0
WORK EXPERIENCE IN CANADA
Duration
From 12 months	4
Less than 12 months	0
NOC skill level
The experience was at level A	3
The experience was at level B, C, or D	0
Earnings history
Earnings from $40,000 CAD per year	3
Earning less than $40,000 CAD per year	0
EDUCATION
Level of education
PhD	10
Master's degree	8
Bachelor's degree	6
College diploma or trades certificate	5
Education below the college level	0
Field
Engineering or health care	10
Mathematics and computer science	9
Business and administration or trades	7
Sociological, legal, or pedagogical education	6
Arts and humanities	5
Study experiences in Canada
More than one completed education in Canada	10
One completed education in Canada	5
LANGUAGE ABILITY
Language level on the CLB scale
Level 9 or higher	10
Level 8	6
Level 7	4
Level 6 or lower	0
Knowledge of official languages
Proficiency in two languages (English and French)	10
Proficiency in one language	5
REGIONAL IMMIGRATION
Location of employer
Outside Toronto	10
Within Toronto	6
Location of educational institution where the education was received
Outside Toronto	10
Within Toronto	6
LABOUR MARKET PRIORITIES
This criterion is designed to meet the current labour market needs of the province or its particular area. Ontario's immigration program determines the needs. At the time the candidate applies, there may be priority occupations identified, but there may not be any.
The candidate's profession is in demand in the labour market (if there is currently a demand)	10