OINP Masters Graduate Stream – Your Pathway to Permanent Residency in Ontario

What is the OINP Masters Graduate Stream?

If you have earned a master’s degree from an Ontario university, the Master’s Graduate Stream offers you a chance to apply for permanent residency in Ontario. This program allows international graduates to live and work in the province permanently.

How Does It Work?

To begin, you need to register in the OINP’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system. After registering, you must receive an invitation to apply. Only then can you submit an official application to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residency.

Once you receive a provincial nomination, the next step is to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The federal government will review your application and make the final decision on your permanent residency status. 

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Step-by-Step Application Process

Register Your Expression of Interest (EOI)

Before applying, you must:
Register your interest in the OINP system.
Wait for an invitation to apply from the Ontario government.

Once you receive an invitation, you can proceed with your application.

How to Register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the OINP Masters Graduate Stream

Before registering, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for this stream. The information you provide must be accurate and up to date at the time of registration.

Key Points to Remember:

• One Registration Per Stream: You can only have one active expression of interest for each OINP stream at a time.
  
• No Registration Fee: There is no cost to register an EOI. However, if you receive an invitation to apply, you will need to pay an application fee.
  
• Updating Your Information: You can update your details anytime in the OINP e-filing portal—up until you receive an invitation to apply or your registration is deleted.
  
• Validity Period: Your registration is valid for 12 months. If you do not receive an invitation within this period, your EOI will be automatically deleted. You will need to re-register if you still wish to apply.

Special Case for Physicians

If you are a physician eligible to apply without a job offer, contact the OINP program support before registering to receive special instructions.

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Eligibility Requirements for the OINP Masters Graduate Stream

After receiving an invitation to apply, you can submit your application. You do not need a job offer, but you must meet all the following criteria for approval.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) & Invitation to Apply

You must have received an invitation to apply and submitted your application before the deadline.
You must prove that you meet the qualifications you claimed in your Expression of Interest.

2. Education Requirements

To qualify, you must have earned a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university, completing at least:

• One full-time academic year (15+ hours of instruction per week, including training).
• Part-time studies may qualify, as long as they are equivalent to one full-time year.

You are NOT eligible if:
You are still a student (unless studying to meet licensing requirements for a regulated profession in Ontario OR working full-time in Ontario).
You received a bursary, grant, or scholarship that requires you to return to your home country (unless you have fulfilled that obligation).

3. Language Requirements

You must be proficient in English or French at CLB 7 or higher in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Approved English Tests:

• IELTS General Training (One Skill Retake not accepted)
  
• CELPIP General
• PTE Core (PTE Academic is NOT accepted)

Approved French Tests:

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

Your test must be taken within 2 years before submitting your application.

4. Residency in Ontario

You must have legally lived in Ontario for at least 12 months within the past two years before applying.
This can be cumulative, meaning the 12 months can be spread over different periods.

5. Settlement Funds

You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependent family members when settling in Canada.

Who counts as a family member?
Spouse or common-law partner
Children under 22 (including their children)

Ways to Meet the Requirement:

• Bank statements or investment accounts (fixed-term deposits, mutual funds, etc.)
• Annual earnings from a job in Ontario
• A valid job offer in Ontario

Example:
If you need $29,000 CAD, but you have:

• A job offer with an annual salary of $25,000 CAD
  
• A bank balance of $5,000 CAD
  

Total available funds: $30,000 CAD → You meet the requirement!

Important: If your bank statement shows a large one-time deposit, you may need to provide additional documents proving the money is debt-free.

6. Intention to Live in Ontario

You must show that you plan to live in Ontario after getting permanent residence.

Evidence of Ties to Ontario:

• Working or having worked in Ontario
• Job offers or job applications
• Studying in Ontario
• Volunteering
• Leasing or owning property
• Visiting frequently
• Professional networks, family, or personal relationships

7. Residency at the Time of Application

You must be:

• Living in Ontario with legal status (study permit, work permit, visitor record)
• OR Living outside Canada

You do NOT qualify if you are living in another Canadian province or territory at the time of application.

8. Legal Status in Canada (If Applying from Within Canada)

If you’re applying from inside Canada, you must have legal status (valid visitor record, study permit, or work permit).

If your permit has expired, you may still apply if you are in “maintained status” (formerly called “implied status”).
Maintained status means you applied to extend or renew your permit before it expired. While waiting for IRCC’s decision, you can stay in Canada and continue working or studying under the same conditions.

9. Application Deadline

You must apply within two years of completing your master’s degree.

The date on your degree or official university letter must be within two years before your application date.
Example: If your degree is dated June 1, 2021, you must submit your application by June 1, 2023.
If you don’t have your degree yet, you can use an official letter from your university confirming when it will be granted.

Important: You must have completed your master’s degree before applying.

Scoring Factors for the Masters Graduate Stream

Once you register an Expression of Interest (EOI), you will receive points based on the following factors.
Important: If invited to apply, you must provide documents to support each scoring factor.

1. Employment / Labour Market Factors

Work or Study Permit Status

With a valid work or study permit – 10 points
Without a valid work or study permit – 0 points

Earnings History (Last 5 Years – Based on Notice of Assessment from CRA)

$40,000 or more earnings in a year – 3 points
Less than $40,000 earnings in a year – 0 points

2. Education Factors

Highest Level of Education

• PhD – 10 points
• Masters – 8 points
• Bachelors or equivalent – 6 points
• Graduate diploma or certificate – 6 points
• Undergraduate diploma or certificate – 5 points
• Apprenticeship or trades certificate/diploma – 5 points
• Less than college or trade certificate – 0 points

Field of Study

• STEM / Health / Trades (Engineering, Health, Math, Computer Science, Agriculture, Mechanics, Architecture, Construction, etc.) – 12 points
• Business, Administration, Education, Social Work, Legal Studies, Behavioral Science, Transport, Security, Personal Services – 6 points
• Arts & Humanities, General Social Science, BHASE (not elsewhere classified) – 0 points

Canadian Education Experience

• More than one Canadian post-secondary credential – 10 points
• One Canadian post-secondary credential – 5 points

3. Language Factors

Official Language Ability (CLB = Canadian Language Benchmark)

• CLB 9 or higher – 10 points
• CLB 8 – 6 points
• CLB 7 – 4 points
• CLB 6 or lower – 0 points

Knowledge of Official Languages

• Proficient in both English & French (CLB 7+ in one, CLB 6+ in the second) – 10 points
• Proficient in one official language – 5 points

4. Regionalization Factors (Based on where you physically attended classes)

• Northern Ontario – 10 points
• Other areas outside GTA (except Northern Ontario) – 8 points
• Greater Toronto Area (except Toronto city itself) – 3 points
• Toronto – 0 points
• If the credential was completed online or without physically attending classes – 0 points

Region Definitions:

• Northern Ontario: Includes Muskoka, Nipissing, Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane, Algoma, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Kenora, etc.
• Outside GTA (excluding Northern Ontario): Includes all Ontario regions except Toronto, GTA, and Northern Ontario.
• Greater Toronto Area (GTA, except Toronto): Includes Durham, Halton, Peel, and York regions.
• Toronto: Includes only the City of Toronto itself.

Maximize Your Points!

To increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), aim to:

• Have a valid work or study permit (10 points)
  
• Earn at least $40,000 in a year (3 points)
  
• Hold a PhD or Master’s degree (8-10 points)
  
• Have a STEM/Health/Trades education background (12 points)
  
• Earn high CLB scores in language tests (up to 20 points)
  
• Study in Northern Ontario or outside the GTA (up to 10 points)

This scoring system helps prioritize candidates with strong education, language, and employment potential in Ontario.

Eligible Ontario universities offering masters programs

To qualify for the Masters Graduate stream, your masters degree must be from one of the universities listed below:

• Algoma University
• Brock University
• Carleton University
• 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)
• Trent University
• University of Guelph
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• University of Windsor
• Western University
• Wilfrid Laurier University
• York University

Applicant Checklist

Ensure you submit all required documents in the e-filing portal after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

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1. Applicant Consent Form

Complete, sign, and upload the Applicant Consent Form in the Required Documents section.
Do this after:

• Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• Reviewing your application for accuracy in the e-filing portal.
  An immigration representative cannot sign on your behalf.

2. Identity Documents

Photograph

Upload a scanned physical photo or a digital photo that meets passport/visa photo specifications.
Not accepted:

• A photo of your passport’s personal details page.
• Blurry or low-quality images.

Passport

Upload a scanned copy of:

• Your personal details page.
• All pages containing Canadian visas and entry stamps.

Family Members’ Passports (If applicable)

Upload scanned copies of the personal details page for each dependent family member’s passport.
Dependents include:

• Spouse or common-law partner.
• Children under 22 years old (and their children, if applicable).

3. Status Documents in Canada

Upload scanned copies of all current and previous status documents from IRCC or CBSA, including:

• Work permits.
• Study permits.
• Temporary resident visas.
• Any other Canadian immigration document.

If you have maintained status, also upload:

• IRCC letter confirming receipt of your status extension application.
• IRCC fee receipt (if applicable).
• Post office mailing receipt (if applicable).

4. Residency in Ontario Documents

Provide proof of residency for at least 1 year within the last 2 years before applying.
Upload documents with your full name and Ontario address, such as:

• Phone bills.
• Hydro or energy bills.
• Car or home insurance.
• Lease or rental agreement.
• Pay slips from an Ontario employer.

Final Checks Before Submission

Ensure all documents are clear, complete, and correctly labeled.
Double-check that all scanned copies are readable.
Confirm your residency documents meet the one-year requirement.

Following this checklist will help ensure a smooth application process under the Masters Graduate Stream.

5. Residency in Ontario Documents

To prove legal residency in Ontario for at least 1 year in the last 2 years, upload scanned copies of documents with your full name and Ontario address.

Acceptable documents:

• Phone bills
• Hydro or energy bills
• Car or home insurance
• Lease or rental agreement
• Pay slips from an Ontario employer

6. Education Documents

Degree Documents

If your Master’s degree has been granted, upload:

• A scanned copy of your Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university.
• Your official transcripts issued by the university that granted your degree.

If your Master’s degree has NOT been granted yet, upload:

• An official letter (on institution letterhead) from the Ontario university confirming:
  
  • Degree requirements have been completed.
  • No outstanding fees are due.
  • The scheduled date of degree conferral.
• Your official transcripts from the university granting your degree.

Other Education Documents (Optional)

If you have additional educational credentials, such as:

• Other university degrees
• College diplomas
• Occupational certificates
  You may include them with your application.

7. Language Test Results

You must provide proof of language proficiency with an approved test taken within 2 years before submitting your application.

For English (CLB 7 or above in all abilities):

Accepted tests:

• IELTS General Training (Academic NOT accepted)
• CELPIP General Test
• PTE Core Test (PTE Academic NOT accepted)

For French (CLB 7 or above in all abilities):

Accepted tests:

• Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada)
• Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Ensure that:

• The entire page of your test results is scanned.
• No text is cut off.

Final Checks Before Submission

• Ensure all documents are clear and legible.
• Confirm your residency meets the one-year requirement.
• Verify language test results meet the required CLB level.

Following this checklist will help ensure a smooth application process under the Masters Graduate Stream.

8. Documents to Demonstrate Settlement Funds Requirement

To prove you meet or exceed the minimum necessary settlement fund requirement, upload scanned copies of the following documents.

Note: You may submit a combination of any of the following options.

1. Bank Funds

Upload scanned copies of your most recent bank statements showing the last three months of activity.
Your bank statements must include:

• Name of the financial institution
• Account number
• Balance in the account
• Your name as the account holder

If using your spouse’s or common-law partner’s account, also include:

• A letter from your spouse/common-law partner confirming that you have access to the funds.

If using investment accounts, upload:

• Statements of accounts for fixed-term deposits, mutual funds, or other investments.
• A letter from the financial institution confirming:
  
  • Funds are available
  • Investments can be liquidated or redeemed on request
  • The value of the investments

Important:
Black out any credit card numbers before submitting your documents.
Failure to redact sensitive information may delay application processing.

2. Ongoing Employment in Ontario

Upload scanned copies of:

• Your two most recent pay slips
• Your original job offer letter on company letterhead, signed by the employer, including:
  
  • Occupation title
  • Duties and responsibilities
  • Hours of work
  • Wage/salary
  • Employment start date

3. Job Offer in Ontario 

Upload a scanned copy of a valid job offer letter from an Ontario employer on company letterhead, signed by the employer, including:

• Occupation title
• Duties and responsibilities
• Hours of work
• Wage/salary
• Employment start date

Final Checklist Before Submission:

• Ensure all documents are clear and legible.
• Confirm your bank/investment statements cover the last 3 months.
• Ensure job offer letters include all required details.

Following these steps will help you meet the settlement fund requirement for your Masters Graduate Stream application.

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4. Resumé (CV) Submission

Upload a scanned copy of your most current resumé.

Your resumé must include:

• Current and past work experience
• Education details
• Current residential address
• Email address
• Phone number

5. Intention to Reside in Ontario 

Upload documents that demonstrate your established ties to Ontario. These can include:

• Current or previous employment in Ontario
• Job offers, job applications, or interview records in Ontario
• Education history in Ontario
• Volunteer work in Ontario
• Lease agreements or proof of property ownership in Ontario
• Professional networks and affiliations
• Family ties in Ontario
• Social connections or personal relationships
• Previous visits to Ontario

If you do not have any ties to Ontario, you must provide a statement of intent expressing your commitment to reside in Ontario.

Reminder:
Redact any credit card numbers before uploading documents.
Failure to black out sensitive financial details will delay processing.

6. Expression of Interest (EOI) Scoring Factors 

If you received points for certain scoring factors, you must provide supporting documents to validate them.

Note: Scoring factors are not the same as the Masters Graduate Stream criteria. You must meet all mandatory requirements in addition to providing proof for any claimed scoring factors.

7. Work Permit Status in Canada 

If applicable, upload scanned copies of your current and previous immigration status documents, such as:

• Work permits
• Study permits

If you have maintained status, upload one of the following:

• Letter from IRCC confirming your status extension application was received
• IRCC fee receipt for status extension application
• Post office mailing receipt (if applicable)

8. Earnings History 

Upload a scanned copy of your Notice of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)within the last five years.

Important Notes:

• T4 slips alone will NOT be accepted.
• Combined earnings over multiple years will NOT be accepted.
• You must have earned at least $40,000 in a single calendar year, as reflected on a single NOA from the last five years.

Final Checklist Before Submission:

• Ensure all scanned documents are clear and legible.
• Make sure your resumé includes all required details.
• Provide sufficient proof of Ontario ties or a statement of intent.
• Submit correct earnings documents (NOA, not T4s).

This ensures a smooth and efficient application process for the Masters Graduate Stream. 

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