OINP Masters Graduate Stream

The OINP Masters Graduate Stream is now permanently closed. On June 26, 2026, the Ontario government formally closed all eight existing OINP streams — including the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams — under amendments to Ontario Regulation 422/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. No new Expressions of Interest are being accepted. No further invitations to apply will be issued under the former program.

Ontario has introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream as the first pathway under a redesigned OINP. The Expression of Interest system for the new stream is expected to reopen later in the summer of 2026. Monitor the official OINP updates page for the confirmed reopening date.

If you have an active application, a provincial nomination, or a pending EOI, review the section below for information specific to your situation. To discuss your individual file and current options, book a consultation with Sepehr Falahati, RCIC R533959, at SEP Immigration

What Is the Ontario Master Graduate Stream?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Masters Graduate Stream is a specialized immigration pathway designed to help international students who have successfully completed a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university.

This program allows them to apply for permanent residency in Ontario, even if they don’t have a job offer at the time of application. This stream is a significant advantage for recent graduates who may still be in the early stages of their job search or wish to remain in Ontario to further their careers and contribute to the local economy.

Unlike many other immigration streams that require a valid job offer as a prerequisite, the OINP Masters Graduate Stream focuses on the applicant's education and their intent to settle in Ontario.

The stream is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to retain international talent educated within its borders. By doing so, the province aims to bolster its workforce with skilled individuals who are already familiar with its culture and economy.

The program is not only about retaining talent but also about enhancing the province’s economic prospects by ensuring that educated individuals have a clear path to stay and contribute long-term.

The process begins with the applicant applying through the OINP. If they meet the eligibility criteria, they may receive a provincial nomination, which then allows them to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

This two-step process ensures that only those who are genuinely interested in living and working in Ontario and who meet all the necessary criteria are given the opportunity to make Ontario their permanent home.

What Happens to Applications and EOIs Filed Before June 26, 2026

The province drew a clear line between files in progress and new submissions. Your situation depends on the stage you had reached when the stream closed.

If your application is still active: Monitor your OINP e-Filing Portal account for status updates and document requests. Respond promptly to any request from the program office to avoid delays in processing.

If your work permit or study permit is nearing expiry while your provincial or federal application is in progress, do not wait. You may be eligible for maintained status or a Bridging Open Work Permit. Contact a regulated immigration consultant before your current permit expires.

Other PR Pathways for Ontario Master's Graduates

The closure of the OINP Masters Graduate Stream removes one pathway, but it does not eliminate all routes to permanent residence for graduates who completed a master's degree in Ontario.

Canadian Experience Class

If you have at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience in the past three years, you may qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class. A Canadian master's degree adds points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and can strengthen your standing in the Express Entry pool.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

International graduates who have acquired skilled work experience outside or inside Canada and who meet the required language thresholds may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program through Express Entry. Your Ontario master's degree and Canadian work history can each contribute points to your CRS score.

Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Ontario's new OINP pathway replaces the former suite of streams with a single, employer-focused program. Unlike the former Masters Graduate Stream, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream requires a full-time, permanent job offer from a qualifying Ontario employer. Employers must meet minimum revenue and employee headcount thresholds. The EOI system for this stream is expected to reopen later in the summer of 2026. Visit the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program page on the SEP Immigration website for updates as the new stream opens, or monitor the official Ontario Workforce Priority Stream page directly.

Post-Graduation Work Permit and Express Entry

If you are currently working in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you are building toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility with every month of skilled work experience. Pairing your Ontario master's degree, your PGWP work history, and strong language scores can create a competitive Express Entry profile for future draws.

Each pathway has distinct requirements and timelines. A regulated immigration consultant can review your profile and identify which option aligns with your situation.

Book a free assessment

How the OINP Masters Graduate Stream Worked — Historical Reference

The content in this section documents the former OINP Masters Graduate Stream as it existed before June 26, 2026. It is provided for reference only and does not describe a currently open program.

What Was the OINP Masters Graduate Stream?

The OINP Masters Graduate Stream was a provincial nomination pathway for international graduates who had completed a master's degree at an eligible Ontario university. It was part of Ontario's broader Human Capital Streams, designed to retain internationally educated talent that had studied within the province.

The stream operated independently of the federal Express Entry system. Candidates who received a provincial nomination applied for permanent residence through a paper-based process with IRCC, which generally involved longer processing times than Express Entry-linked provincial nominations. According to Moving2Canada, applicants should have been prepared to wait more than one year for the combined provincial and federal process to be completed.

Eligibility Requirements (Former Stream)

To qualify for the OINP Masters Graduate Stream before its closure, candidates had to meet all of the following requirements. Meeting these criteria did not guarantee an Invitation to Apply — only the highest-ranked candidates in each draw received invitations.

Degree: A master's degree from one of the 30 eligible Ontario universities, completed after at least one full academic year of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent.

Timing: The application had to be submitted within two years of completing the requirements for the master's degree.

Ontario residency during studies: Candidates must have legally resided in Ontario for at least one academic year while enrolled in the master's program. Residency had to be in valid immigration status throughout.

Language proficiency: A minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 in all four skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — in English or French. The test had to have been taken no more than two years before the date of application.

Settlement funds: Sufficient funds to support the applicant and any dependants (see the table below).

Intent to reside in Ontario: Evidence demonstrating the intention to remain and work in Ontario, such as employment, housing arrangements, or professional connections in the province.

Legal immigration status: Valid status in Canada at the time of EOI registration and at the time of application submission. Applicants in implied status were also eligible.

Student exclusion: Current students were ineligible unless they were enrolled for the specific purpose of meeting licensure requirements in a regulated Ontario occupation and were simultaneously employed full-time in Ontario.

Settlement Funds (Historical)

Candidates were required to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependant family members. Funds could be shown through bank statements, non-locked-in investments, annual Ontario employment earnings, or a valid Ontario job offer. The most recent thresholds published before the stream closed were:

Source: OINP Masters Graduate Stream — Government of Ontario

Eligible Ontario Universities (Former Stream)

Only graduates of the following 30 institutions were eligible for the stream. Federated colleges are listed with their parent university.

Source: OINP Masters Graduate Stream — Government of Ontario

How the Points-Based Ranking System Worked (Historical)

The stream used a points-based Expression of Interest system with a maximum score of 70 points. Candidates did not apply directly — they registered an EOI, received a score, and waited in a ranked pool for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during a periodic draw. The OINP EOI system awarded points based on the following factors:

Candidates in Northern Ontario and regions outside the Greater Toronto Area received additional regional points. Toronto addresses received zero regional points for the regional factor.

Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria did not guarantee an ITA. Only the highest-ranked candidates in each draw received invitations. In December 2024, for example, Ontario issued 725 ITAs with a minimum score of 46 points.

How the Application Process Worked (Historical)

The application process followed six stages through the OINP e-Filing Portal:

Stage 1 — Register an Expression of Interest: Eligible candidates registered an EOI through the OINP e-Filing Portal. The EOI captured personal, educational, and employment information and generated a points score for the ranked pool.

Stage 2 — Receive a score and wait for a draw: Ontario conducted periodic draws from the ranked EOI pool. There was no set schedule; candidates waited until Ontario chose to issue ITAs.

Stage 3 — Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Ontario issued ITAs to the highest-ranked candidates in each draw. Receiving an ITA was not a guarantee of nomination — it was an invitation to submit a full application.

Stage 4 — Submit a full application within 14 calendar days: After receiving an ITA, candidates had 14 calendar days to submit a complete application through the OINP e-Filing Portal, along with the non-refundable $1,500 fee and all supporting documents. Applications submitted by self-appointed representatives were invalid and withdrawn by the OINP.

Stage 5 — Receive a provincial nomination decision: Processing typically took between 30 and 150 days. If approved, the candidate received a Certificate of Nomination from Ontario.

Stage 6 — Submit a federal permanent residence application to IRCC: With a provincial nomination, candidates applied to IRCC for permanent residence. Because the Masters Graduate Stream was not aligned with Express Entry, the federal application followed a paper-based route with longer processing times.

Application Fee (Historical)

The non-refundable application fee for the OINP Masters Graduate Stream was $1,500 CAD, payable at the time of full application submission following receipt of an ITA. This fee covered the provincial nomination application only. Separate fees applied to the subsequent federal permanent residence application submitted to IRCC.

PhD Graduate Stream (Historical Note)

The OINP also operated a PhD Graduate Stream for candidates who had completed at least two years of full-time doctoral studies at an eligible Ontario university. Like the Masters Graduate Stream, it required no job offer and used a points-based EOI system. The PhD Graduate Stream was also permanently closed on June 26, 2026, under the same regulatory changes.

OINP Masters Graduate Stream Qualification and Requirements

To qualify for the OINP Masters Graduate Stream, applicants must satisfy several stringent criteria, each designed to ensure that the program attracts only those individuals who are well-suited to contribute to Ontario’s economy and social fabric. Below are the detailed requirements:

Educational Requirements:

Applicants must have completed the requirements for a master’s degree from one of the eligible Ontario universities. This completion must have occurred within the last two years before applying. The focus on recent graduates ensures that the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies are current and relevant to the job market.

The program must be a full-time course of at least one academic year. This condition ensures that the degree represents a significant educational achievement and that the applicant has had adequate exposure to the rigors of graduate-level education.

Residency and Application Timing:

Applicants must apply within two years of receiving their master’s degree. For instance, if the degree was awarded on June 1, 2023, the applicant must apply no later than June 1, 2025. This timeframe allows graduates to consider their options but ensures that their connection to Ontario remains strong.

At the time of application, the applicant must be legally residing in Ontario or outside of Canada. Applicants in implied status (i.e., those who have applied for an extension of their status and are awaiting a decision) are also eligible to apply.

Language Proficiency:

Language proficiency is crucial for success in Ontario’s multicultural environment. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English or French, with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 or above in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. This proficiency ensures that the applicant can effectively engage in the workplace and contribute to their community.

Proof of Funds:

Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents during their settlement in Ontario. This can be demonstrated through various means, including bank statements, proof of income from employment in Ontario, or a valid job offer. The proof of funds requirement is based on family size, similar to the requirements under the Express Entry system. For instance, a single person must show a minimum of $14,690, while a family of four would need to demonstrate $27,297. These funds must be readily accessible and not borrowed.

Connection to Ontario:

Applicants must show that they have lived in Ontario for at least 12 of the 24 months preceding the application. This requirement demonstrates a clear intention to make Ontario their permanent home. Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of their intent to reside and work in Ontario, which can include job applications, employment contracts, or housing arrangements.

Exclusions:

The program excludes individuals who are currently pursuing further studies, unless these studies are required for licensure in a regulated occupation in Ontario. This rule ensures that the program targets those who are ready to enter the workforce rather than those who are using the stream as a means to further their education.

Eligible Universities:

Only graduates from certain Ontario universities are eligible.

These institutions include the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Queen’s University, and others recognized for their academic excellence. This criterion ensures that the degree is from a reputable and recognized institution, further validating the applicant’s qualifications.

What to Do If Your Masters Graduate Stream Application Is Still Active

If you submitted a complete application to the OINP Masters Graduate Stream before June 26, 2026, following receipt of a valid ITA, your file remains active and will be assessed under the eligibility rules that were in force at the time of submission.

Monitor your OINP portal. Ontario may issue decisions or request additional documents through your e-Filing Portal account. Respond to all requests promptly to avoid unnecessary delays.

Do not assume you need to reapply under the new stream. Grandfathered files are assessed separately from the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. Applying to the new stream while a former-stream application is under review can create a more complicated situation. Discuss this with a regulated professional before taking action.

Track your immigration status carefully. If your work permit or study permit expires while your provincial or federal application is in progress, you may be eligible for maintained status or a Bridging Open Work Permit. Confirm your status before your current document expires.

Keep all supporting documents. Transcripts, language test results, and proof of funds may be needed again at the federal permanent residence stage. Do not discard any documentation submitted with your provincial application.

OINP Master Graduate Stream Fee

The fee for applying to the OINP Masters Graduate Stream is $1,500. This fee is required for the processing of the application and is non-refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful. In addition to the application fee, applicants should also budget for other potential costs, such as fees for language testing, document translation, and notarization.

Language testing fees can vary depending on the test provider and location, while translation and notarization fees depend on the complexity and volume of the documents. It is advisable for applicants to plan these costs in advance to avoid any financial strain during the application process.

The proof of funds requirement also implies that applicants should have enough financial resources not only for the application process but also for their initial settlement in Ontario. The cost of living in Ontario, as with other parts of Canada, can vary, but having a solid financial base will make the transition smoother.

For personalized guidance on navigating the OINP Masters Graduate Stream or any other immigration pathway, SEP Immigrants is here to assist you. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of becoming a permanent resident of Ontario. Contact us today to start your application process and take the next step toward a bright future in Canada.

How can SEP Immigration help after the Masters Graduate Stream closure?

Sepehr Falahati, RCIC R533959, can review your current immigration status, assess your eligibility under open federal and provincial programs, and advise you on the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream when it reopens. Book a consultation to discuss your specific file and next steps.