What is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program?

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is one of the most prominent provincial programs under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It enables the province of Ontario to nominate skilled immigrants who can contribute to its labor market and economic growth.

 The Ontario PNP Points Calculator is the key assessment tool used to evaluate candidates based on education, work experience, language proficiency, age, and adaptability. Meeting the required score allows applicants to be considered for nomination, which adds 600 points to their Express Entry profile, substantially improving their chances of securing permanent residence in Canada.

Ontario PNP Streams

Ontario offers several categories and streams under the OINP to target skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs.

  1. Ontario Express Entry

  • Human Capital Priorities Stream

  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

  1. General Category

  • Foreign Skilled Worker with a Job Offer Stream

  1. International Student Category

  • International Student with a Job Offer Stream

  • International Student Master's Graduate Stream

  • International Student Ph.D. Graduate Stream

  1. Business Category

  • Entrepreneur Stream

  • Corporate Stream

  • Investors Stream

Each stream caters to specific profiles, allowing Ontario to meet its labor market needs while giving qualified applicants a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

Minimum Requirements for Ontario PNP Points Calculator

To qualify under the Human Capital Priorities Stream of Ontario Express Entry, applicants must:

  • Hold a valid Express Entry profile.

  • Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400 (may vary at the discretion of provincial authorities).

  • Possess relevant work experience, depending on whether applying under FSWP or CEC.

  • Provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

  • Score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher in all four abilities (speaking, reading, writing, listening).

  • Demonstrate intention to live in Ontario.

  • Show proof of sufficient settlement funds.

Meeting these requirements makes candidates eligible to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario in Express Entry draws.

Ontario PNP Points Breakdown

The OINP Points Calculator evaluates applicants across multiple factors. To qualify, candidates generally need at least 67 out of 100 points.

Factors and Maximum Points

Factors

Maximum Points Awarded

Language Proficiency

28

Education Qualification

25

Work Experience

15

Age

12

Arranged Employment

10

Adaptability

10

Factor 1: Language Proficiency

CLB Level

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

Level 9+

6

6

6

6

Level 8

5

5

5

5

Level 7

4

4

4

4

Below 7

Not eligible

Not eligible

Not eligible

Not eligible

Factor 2: Educational Qualifications

Education Level

Points Awarded

Doctoral (Ph.D.) level or equivalent

25

Master’s or entry-to-practice professional degree (with licensing, if required)

23

Two or more Canadian post-secondary credentials (≥ one program of 3 years)

22

Canadian post-secondary education (3 years or longer)

21

Two-year Canadian post-secondary program

19

One-year Canadian post-secondary program

15

Canadian high school diploma or equivalent

5

Factor 3: Work Experience

Duration of Work Experience

Points Awarded

Less than 1 year

Ineligible

1 year

9

2–3 years

11

4–5 years

13

6+ years

15

Factor 4: Age

Age (Years)

Points

18–35

16

36

14

37

12

38

10

39

8

40

6

41

4

42

2

Factor 5: Arranged Employment

Arranged Employment If- 

Condition

Points

Applicant works in Canada with a valid work permit based on LMIA and permanent job offer

Employer is the same as on the work permit

10

Applicant works in Canada under LMIA-exempt category (international/federal-provincial agreement)

Valid work permit and permanent job offer from current employer

10

Applicant has no work permit or different employer’s offer

Job offer must be backed by positive LMIA

10

Factor 6: Adaptability

Adaptability Factors

Points

Arranged employment

5

Previous study in Ontario (2+ years full-time)

5

Spouse/partner’s study in Ontario (2+ years)

5

Previous work in Ontario (≥ 1 year in skilled occupation)

5

Spouse/partner’s work in Ontario (≥ 1 year)

5

Relatives in Ontario (PR/citizen, 18+)

5

Spouse/partner’s language proficiency (CLB 4+)

5

Core Human Capital and Additional Points

Factor

Points (With Spouse)

Points (Without Spouse)

Age

100

110

Education Level

140

150

Language Proficiency

150

160

Canadian Work Experience

70

80

Additional points are granted for:

  • Post-secondary education in Canada: 30

  • Arranged employment: 200

  • Provincial Nomination: 600

  • French language proficiency: 30

  • Siblings in Canada: 15

The maximum total score possible is 1200 points.

The Ontario PNP Points Calculator serves as a roadmap for skilled workers and international graduates who want to immigrate to Ontario. By assessing your profile against language skills, education, work history, and adaptability, you can determine eligibility and strengthen your application.