OINP Masters Graduate stream

The OINP Masters Graduate stream is Ontario’s premier pathway to permanent residence (PR) for international graduates—no job offer required! If you earned a master’s degree at an eligible Ontario university and crave a long-term future in Canada’s economic hub, this blueprint lays out every step, deadline, and insider scoring hack you need to land that coveted nomination.

1. Why the OINP Masters Graduate Stream Matters in 2025

Ontario predicts that 35 % of new high-skill jobs through 2028 will need master-level talent. Instead of battling Express Entry’s CRS roller-coaster, the OINP Masters Graduate stream:

• Skips employer sponsorship - perfect if you’re still hunting for work.
• Rewards Ontario study & residency - bonus EOI points for local ties.
• Delivers predictable processing - 90-120 days for provincial review.

1.1 No Job-Offer Requirement: A Huge Perk

Most immigration routes hinge on a TEER-coded job offer. Here, your Ontario master’s degree alone opens the PR door - ideal for researchers, entrepreneurs, or recent grads in transition.

1.2 How the EOI Draw System Works

Submit a free EOI; the portal ranks you on education, language, region of study, permit status, and past earnings. Highest scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during periodic draws - historically every 2–3 months.

2. Step-by-Step Application Timeline

Step 1 – Register EOI (15 min)
Create/​log into your My Ontario account ↠ choose Masters Graduate ↠ enter personal, study, and language data ↠ submit. Your EOI stays active 12 months or until you’re invited.

Step 2 – Wait for ITA (4–12 weeks)
Monitor email & junk folder. Once invited, the clock starts.

Step 3 – Submit Application (14 days)
Upload PDFs (<10 MB each) & pay the fee (CA$1,500). Mandatory docs:

• Passport, study permit, or maintained-status
• Master’s degree or official completion letter
• Transcripts
• IELTS/CELPIP/PTE/TEF/TCF results (≤ 2 years old)
• 12-month Ontario proof (leases, utility bills, CRA NOAs)
• Settlement-funds evidence (bank statements/job offer)

Pro Tip: Draft your application while waiting for the ITA; two weeks fly by!

Step 4 – OINP Assessment (≈ 90–120 days)
Respond to document requests within 7 days to avoid refusal.

Step 5 – Nomination Certificate Issued (6-month validity)
Receive: nomination confirmation, work-permit support letter (if needed), and next-step guide.

Step 6 – IRCC PR Application (≈ 19 months (Non-Express-Entry PNP))
File under the Non-Express Entry PNP class. Submit biometrics, medical, and police certificates.

3. Nine Stream Requirements Explained

3.1 Ontario Masters Degree Criteria

• Minimum 1 academic year full-time (≥ 15 hours instruction/​week).
• Must be from one of 22 eligible universities (list in Section 5).
• Part-time equivalent programs qualify if they equal 1 full-time year.

3.2 CLB 7 Language Benchmark

Accepted tests & minimum scores:

Book tests 6–8 weeks out; seats fill quickly post-draw.

3.3 12-Month Ontario Residency Rule

Add up leases, pay slips, utility bills, or CRA NOAs covering any 12 of the last 24 months. Gaps are fine if the total hits 365 days.

3.4 Settlement-Funds Calculator

Check IRCC’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) + 10 %. Show funds via:

• Bank/​investment statements (3-month average)
• Ongoing Ontario salary (attach pay stubs)
• Valid Ontario job offer (letter on letterhead)

4. Scoring Factors & How to Maximize Them

4.1 Education & Field-of-Study Points

4.2 Canadian Credential Bonus

Hold two Canadian diplomas/​degrees? Snag 10 extra points - a game-changer if your language is below CLB 9.

4.3 Regional Study Points

Studied in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, or Timmins? Northern Ontario nets the top 10-point boost and usually truncates wait-times.

5. Eligible Ontario Universities

i.. Algoma University
ii. Brock University
iii.. Carleton University
iv. Lakehead University
v. Laurentian University
vi. McMaster University
vii. Nipissing University
viii. Ontario College of Art & Design University
ix. Queen’s University
x. Royal Military College of Canada
xi. Toronto Metropolitan University
xii. Trent University
xiii. University of Guelph
xiv. Ontario Tech University
xv. University of Ottawa
xvi. University of Toronto
xvii. University of Waterloo
xviii. University of Windsor
xix. Western University
xx. Wilfrid Laurier University
xxi. York University
xxii. University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Hint: Dual-campus degrees count as long as the credential is issued by one of these schools.

6. Life After Nomination—From WP to PR

• Apply for an LMIA-exempt permit (T13, R204-c — Provincial Nominee) within 6 months if you need status to stay.
• Maintain Ontario residency until you receive your Confirmation of PR (COPR).
• Update address & SIN within 30 days of landing.

8. Conclusion & Next Steps

The OINP Masters Graduate stream is the fastest, job-offer-free path from Ontario classroom to Canadian citizenship journey. Optimize your EOI score with language and regional bonuses, compile airtight paperwork, and click submit. Follow this 2025 playbook—and let Ontario become your forever home.

IRCC quoted 19 months on May 3 2025; check the online tool for updates.