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Ontario is one of the most desirable locations to live in Canada, with a vibrant economy, excellent services and support networks, a growing population of diverse cultures and backgrounds, and world-class higher education institutions. The province is the most populous of Canada and home to the country’s financial capital, Toronto, as well as its political capital, Ottawa. Ontario admits a large number of immigrants each year through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – a unique and attractive immigration program that allows immigrants to settle in the province. In this blog, we will guide you through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and its immigration streams.

Immigration to Canada through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

The OINP is an economic immigration program that nominates individuals for permanent residence in Ontario. The OINP is specifically designed to bring in immigrants that will positively impact the province, including skilled workers, skilled tradespeople, Francophones, international graduates, foreign workers in in-demand occupations, and entrepreneurs.

Ontario Immigration Streams

Ontario has nine immigration streams, which can be divided into three categories: Express Entry Streams, Expression of Interest Streams, and Entrepreneur Stream.

• Human Capital Priorities Stream
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
• Skilled Trades Stream
• Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker Stream
• Employer Job Offer International Student Stream
• Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream
• Masters Graduate Stream
• D. Graduate Stream
• Entrepreneur Stream

Express Entry Streams

The Express Entry streams are linked to the federal Express Entry selection system, providing applicants with an additional 600 points and the opportunity to apply for permanent residency through one of the federal programs via Express Entry. Nonetheless, you cannot apply for these streams independently; instead, the Ontario government must extend an invitation to you via your Express Entry profile. There are three Express Entry Streams available under the OINP:

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: The French-Speaking Skilled Worker program seeks candidates from the Express Entry pool who can speak French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher and English at CLB level 6 or above. In addition, applicants must have a post-secondary degree and at least one year of work experience in the past five years in an eligible occupation in NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Human Capital Priorities Stream: This stream selects skilled workers from the federal Express Entry pool who will contribute to Ontario’s workforce for a long time. The Human Capital Stream prioritizes skills, abilities, or experience, which would make it easy for a foreign national to join and contribute to the workforce. This stream also includes targeted OINP Tech Draws aimed at nine IT occupations.
• Skilled Trades Stream: This stream administers provincial nominations to skilled tradespeople who already reside in Ontario and have worked in a skilled trade in the province for at least one year. Applicants must have worked in an occupation whose NOC codes start with 72 (excluding occupations under transportation officers), 73, 82, 83, 93 (excluding aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors) or 6320 (excluding cooks) obtained in the last two years in the province while maintaining legal status in Canada.

Expression of Interest Streams

Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system administers the Expression of Interest Streams and assesses applicants based on different factors, assigning them scores accordingly. Applicants can register in the system and wait for an invitation. Individuals with the highest EOI scores are invited a few times a year to apply for nomination.

After obtaining the nomination, candidates can apply for permanent residency through the non-Express Entry portal with the IRCC. The five OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) Streams can be categorized into three employer-driven and two education-driven streams.

Employer-Driven Expression of Interest Streams

To qualify for the Employer Job Offer Streams, Ontario employers must be in active business for at least three years in Ontario; prove that the company attempted to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident before offering the position to the applicant; have a minimum of $1,000,000 total gross annual revenue in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or $500,000 total gross annual revenue at a location outside the GTA in the last fiscal year; possess at least five full-time employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the GTA or at least three full-time employees if the company locates outside the GTA; and make an application for approval of an employment position.

• Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker Stream: This stream enables immigrants with a current job offer from an Ontario employer to apply for a nomination. The job offer must be for a full-time and permanent position in NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3, offering a wage equal to or greater than the median wage level for that occupation in the province. The offered position must be based in Ontario.
• Employer Job Offer International Student Stream: This stream enables international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada within the last two years and have obtained a valid job offer from an Ontario employer. To be eligible, applicants must complete a degree or diploma that takes at least two years on a full-time basis or one year if the degree requires a completed degree as an admission requirement. The job offer must be for a full-time and permanent position in NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3, offering a wage equal to or greater than the median wage level for that occupation in the province. The offered position must be based in Ontario.
• Employer Job Offer In-Demand Skills Stream: This stream enables immigrants with a current job offer from an Ontario employer in specific in-demand occupations in a specific sector such as agriculture, construction, trucking or personal support workers. Applicants must have language proficiency at CLB level 4 and possess a secondary school diploma. The job offer may be only in the specific occupations in NOC TEER category 4 or 5. The list of eligible occupations is updated from time to time. The offered position must be based in Ontario.

Education-Driven Expression of Interest Streams

To qualify for those streams, international students must have graduated from a designated Ontario University. At the moment, there are 30 eligible universities offering Master’s Degrees and 25 eligible universities offering Ph.D. Degrees.

• Masters Graduate Stream: This stream is designed for those who have recently obtained their master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university and wish to live and work in the province. Candidates must have a CLB level 7 or higher, and a master’s degree that was at least one academic year of full-time study within the last two years. They also have to legally reside in Ontario for at least 12 of the 24 months before applying.
• Ph.D. Graduate Stream: This stream is for recent graduates with a Ph.D. from an eligible Ontario university. Qualified candidates must have completed their Ph.D. degree within the last two years. The stream requires applicants to complete at least two years of studies while legally living and studying in Ontario. Applicants must also demonstrate legal residency in Ontario for at least 12 of the 24 months before applying.

Entrepreneur Stream

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream is intended for entrepreneurs who want to start or purchase a business in Ontario. The business must create jobs, increase investment capital, and contribute to the economy. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate sufficient experience in managing or owning a business and the skills, knowledge and financial resources needed to establish a business in their field.

The Government of Ontario requires applicants to have at least two years of full-time experience as a business owner or senior manager within the past five years. Meanwhile, those wishing to reside in the GTA must possess a net worth of at least C$800,000 with an accompanying minimum investment of C$600,000 or C$400,000 for net worth with a minimum investment of C$200,000 outside the GTA.

In addition, entrepreneurs must hold a minimum of one-third equity in the venture and actively engage in its management. Furthermore, they are obligated to create two perpetual full-time positions for Canadian nationals or permanent citizens in GTA or at least one position if outside GTA.

How can Schindler Visa Services help with the OINP?

Navigating the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program can be a complex and daunting process, which is where Schindler Visa Services comes in. We have extensive experience helping clients successfully navigate the OINP and other Canadian immigration programs. Our team of experts will guide you through every step of the process, from determining your eligibility to submitting your application. We will work tirelessly to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and meets all the program requirements. Schindler Visa Services can help you navigate this complex program and guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your Canadian immigration goals.

Book your consultation today!

For many decades, Canada has been the most attractive country for immigration in the world. Not surprisingly, Canada is a great place for people interested in high-paying jobs, quality education, transparent business rules, personal security and a high standard of living. That is why, due to the high demand for immigration, an important profession has arisen in Canada – a licensed immigration consultant. In this blog, we will explain why it is important to check the license of an immigration consultant and what are the risks of working with an unlicensed consultant, as well as who such “ghost consultants” are.

What licensed immigration consultant does?

The task of an immigration consultant is to help you choose the best strategy for moving, correctly complete all applications and collect all documents, and thus reduce the risk of refusal from the Department of Immigration. Regardless of where you come from or what your profession is, hiring a licensed immigration consultant in Canada is highly recommended. Without expert help, it can be difficult to keep up with the rapidly changing information from the Canadian immigration authorities on various immigration programs.

Who are ghost consultants?

In recent years, there has been a surge in the activity of “ghost consultants” in Canada and other countries, and this is obviously an incredibly big problem for the Canadian immigration system. These illegal Canadian immigration and visa consultants engage in this activity without the authority to do so, and often without the correct legal knowledge, which puts potential immigrants at risk of refusal or even criminal liability.

Ghost consultants are mainly active on social media, especially TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, and also combine these activities with their work as travel agents or employment agencies abroad. The media is rife with stories of vulnerable immigrants paying thousands of dollars to unauthorized consultants. Victims of such ghost consultants risk being refused at best due to misrepresentation or false information, and at worst losing money to scammers. In some cases, victims find that the job or college program they were promised doesn’t even exist, and the application for permanent residence has never been submitted.

Ghost consultants offer immigration services to clients without the necessary education, training, or license. They falsely pose as immigration specialists. They are not allowed to submit or apply for client immigration status.

These pseudo-consultants advise their victims to lie or forge documents to enter Canada, or the consultant does it for them without their knowledge, using a fake email. Legal responsibility for any false statements made by a ghost consultant falls on the client. These vulnerable immigrants often then turn to a licensed immigration consultant or attorney to revert the damage caused by these unauthorized immigration representatives. However, sometimes it is too late. Even the most qualified attorney cannot recover damages and preserve a person’s immigration status if the applicant has been caught in misrepresentation – whether intentional or not. And even the help of licensed consultants may not save them from visa refusal, application ban, fines, and even possible cancellation of status and even deportation from Canada. It is probably impossible to calculate how many vulnerable people have been affected by the fraudulent activities of ghost consultants.

Who is eligible to provide paid immigration services in Canada?

Under Canadian law, only Authorized Paid Representatives may charge fees for the provision of immigration advice and services. These include Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and immigration lawyers.

Immigration consultants are required to be licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), Canada’s regulatory body for immigration consultants. Immigration lawyers are only eligible to provide immigration services if they are members of a provincial law society.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are specially trained and accredited, qualified, and familiar with Canadian immigration laws and policies. Immigration consultants help people immigrate from their country to Canada for study, work, travel or business purposes. They provide immigration legal services strictly in accordance with the law.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada has created a special Authorized Paid Representative (APR) Portal where immigration consultants and lawyers can apply for permanent residence, work or study permits, and visitor visas on behalf of their clients.

Ghost Consultants cannot create an account on the APR Portal and therefore create applications on behalf of clients. Thus, already at the very beginning, they lie to the government of Canada that it is the applicant himself who submits his application. Most sadly, if deceived applicants later complain to the Department of Immigration that false information or an error in the application was made by their “immigration consultant”, they are in fact confessing to misleading the government and risk being refused and banned from entering Canada for 5 years.

Why do you need a licensed immigration consultant?

An immigration consultant provides professional advice and represents the client in all aspects of Canadian immigration, from individuals immigrating to Canada as employees, travellers, students or entrepreneurs, to corporations employing temporary foreign workers for their organizations in Canada.

A licensed immigration consultant will be able to evaluate the client’s personal background and advise on the best path. An expert will help prepare and submit applications with the relevant supporting documents. And most importantly, the immigration consultant establishes constant communication with government authorities throughout the entire visa application process and has the right to represent the interests of the client.

Thus, by hiring a consultant to check your eligibility and assist you throughout the process, you reduce the risk of refusal. It is no secret that many foreigners are refused visas to Canada, while others incur additional costs and face delays because they do not understand and/or do not comply with strict immigration rules. In order to obtain a visa to Canada, the entire visa application process must be carefully prepared and properly submitted.

Immigration to Canada includes some technical issues and details, which makes the whole process rather complicated and lengthy. Immigration rules are always in a state of flux. For this reason, working with an immigration consultant will be the best solution for your immigration history.

Oleg Schindler is a licensed immigration consultant with extensive experience and an excellent reputation. In addition, he is also a Canadian immigration policy analyst. Oleg is a member in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).

Dreaming of immigrating to Canada but don’t know where to start? Book an individual consultation with Oleg today!

The consultation can be conducted via a phone call or video call. The cost of the consultation will be deducted from the total amount payable if we sign a service agreement.

International students are often faced with the difficult decision of where to study abroad. There are many factors when deciding which place will be best for you. These decisions can seem overwhelming, but there is one place that will provide a perfect opportunity for international students to study – Ottawa! Located on the shores of the Ottawa River, it is a bilingual city with more than 15,000 international students from over 130 countries! There are so many reasons why studying here would be ideal – from beautiful downtown architecture to its location as a crossroads between Europe and America. This article will explore some of these reasons and hopefully provide an answer about why this might just be the right choice for you.

The location of Ottawa in Canada

Ottawa, Ontario is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. The city is located in the exact geographic centre of Canada and it borders Gatineau, Quebec. The National Capital Region has a population exceeding 1.4 million thus making it one of the most populous regions in Canada, and it includes many other smaller cities, towns and rural municipalities located outside of Ottawa proper – Gloucester, Nepean, Vanier, Kanata and others.

Three best places for international students to study in Ottawa

The city of Ottawa is home to three educational institutions that score the highest rankings in the national charts. These are Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College. All three are hosting thousands of international students who chose to study in Ottawa every year.

Carleton University

Founded in 1942, Carleton University is located in the beautiful area between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River, south of downtown Ottawa. It offers over 100 undergraduate programs, plus nearly 45 graduate programs and more than 100 interdisciplinary programmes to its students. The university has an extensive list of extracurricular activities that include more than 200 student clubs with topics ranging from social issues to business management. Carleton University is home to about 31,000 students, including 27,000 undergraduate and 4,000 graduate students. Carleton University has always ranked in the national top 20 universities.

University of Ottawa

Founded in 1848, the OttawaU is the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. It is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa within walking distance from Parliament Hill and the Ottawa City Hall. With over 41,000 students enrolled, students come from over 141 countries and many different backgrounds. It includes 35,500 undergraduate and 6,500 graduate students. The University of Ottawa offers more than 200 graduate diplomas, certificates, majors or degrees in fields such as medicine, law, education, religion and social sciences.

Algonquin College

Founded in 1967, Algonquin College is one of the largest colleges in Canada. There are about 50,000 students enrolled in the college, including 13,000 international students from over 100 countries. It offers roughly 90 full-time programs and 150 apprenticeship programmes. The college also provides roughly 8000 continuing education courses every year for adults over the age of 18. Algonquin College is located in Ottawa’s west end.

Why should International Students study in Ottawa?

Ottawa is one of the best choices for international students in Canada – not just because it offers high-quality educational opportunities but also because it provides a safe and fun environment to live and learn. There are many reasons why studying in Ottawa would be perfect for you:

• It’s conveniently located: Ottawa is only two hours drive from Montreal, four hours drive from Toronto, three hours flight from Boston and Washington, and roughly five hours away by plane from most major cities in Europe.
• It’s safe: Day or night, winter or summer, Ottawa is one of the safest cities in Canada. International students do not need to worry about safety when they are on campus because of extensive security measures put in place by the university administration. There are also many campus security teams that constantly monitor the area and neighbourhood for less than perfect situations.
• It’s fun: Ottawa is filled with beautiful sites and interesting attractions, including the world-famous Parliament Hill and some of Canada’s finest museums and galleries. There are also countless clubs and bars located in its downtown core to keep students busy at all times!
• It’s unique: Ottawa is unique because of its bilingualism. International students can easily immerse themselves in English or French, whether it’s for studying purposes, working opportunities or even socializing.
• It’s affordable: The cost of living in Ottawa is very affordable for international students. And the rent in Ottawa is way cheaper than in Toronto or Vancouver, so you can easily make ends meet.
• It’s welcoming: International students say they feel welcomed by Canadians and find themselves fitting right into the culture here. They never feel like outsiders because locals are opening and willing to help them if they need any assistance or directions around Ottawa.

How much money do I need to study in Ottawa?

The cost of living in Ottawa is lower than that in most other large cities across Canada. The following are some expenses you would incur if you were to study here:

• Tuition and Fees: $12,000-$27,000 depending on the program and courses
• University Residence: $7,000-$8,500 (but if you plan to rent an apartment, it could be around $12,000-15,000)
• Food and Groceries: $400-600 per month
• Books and Supplies: Around $1,000 per semester (e.g. roughly $120 for books, $100 for stationery supplies)
• Transportation Costs: Roughly $105-120 per month if you plan on using the O-Train and OC Transpo buses rather than a car
• Phone and Internet: Around $50 per month for internet, around $30 for the phone.

Schindler Visa Services helps international students to study in Ottawa

Schindler Visa Services is a full-service immigration firm founded by Oleg Schindler an Immigration Consultant from Ottawa with over 5 years of experience in helping international students who want to study in Canada. Want to know more about studying in Ottawa? Contact Schindler Visa Services today! We will help you to select the best program to study in Ottawa and assist you with obtaining a Canadian Study Permit.

Schedule a Call with the Education Advisor or Select a Program to Study in Canada!

Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with a vast network of natural landscapes that are perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and more. If you’re looking to move to Canada but don’t know where to start or how to make it happen, consider contacting an immigration consultant from Ottawa, the capital of Canada. A licensed immigration consultant will help you through all the paperwork and requirements needed when relocating abroad so you can focus on your move instead!

Who is an Immigration Consultant

An immigration consultant is a professional in the field of immigration law. They help clients with the process of immigration and may also assist with other legal issues related to immigration, such as citizenship applications, study permits, work permits, and visitor visas. In addition, they help their clients prepare applications, gather necessary documents, and submit applications to relevant government agencies.

Why you should contact Immigration Consultant from Ottawa

If you’re looking to relocate somewhere but don’t know the procedure, then using an immigration consultant will be a huge benefit for you. The immigration consultant in Ottawa can help streamline the process of moving to Canada. Ottawa is the capital of Canada and most federal authorities, including the Department of Immigration, are located here.

How do I know that my consultant is authorized to represent my case?

Pay close attention to the credentials of the immigration consultant, and be sure that they are authorized to represent your case. You can find this information on the website of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), the national regulator of immigration consultants. Only authorized paid representatives can charge a fee for immigration and visa services and officially hold the title of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)! You can always verify the license of the representative here.

Why should I hire an Immigration Consultant?

The benefits of using an Immigration Consultant from Ottawa when immigrating to Canada are well worth the investment. An Immigration Consultant is not only there to provide guidance throughout the paperwork process, but also do all the tedious tasks for you so that you don’t have to worry about it. Furthermore, they give feedback on your application documents to make them as effective as possible and can handle correspondence with government agencies on your behalf.

What is the difference between immigration lawyers and immigration consultants?

An immigration lawyer is a legal professional who has been accredited by the law society in a particular jurisdiction to practice law within that jurisdiction. Immigration lawyers provide the same services as an immigration consultant but may also be able to represent you in court. Immigration consultants are legal professionals, whose training and competence are strictly dedicated to Immigration Law. While lawyers study Immigration Law as one of the legal fields, this doesn’t mean every lawyer is more experienced in immigration, as they handle many cases related to criminal, family, or administrative law. Besides, the cost of services of the lawyer can be double or even triple comparing to the fees of an immigration consultant.

Oleg Schindler is a trusted Immigration Consultant in Ottawa

Oleg Schindler is a trusted Immigration Consultant in Ottawa. In addition to his work as an Immigration Consultant, he is also a Canadian Immigration Policy Analyst. He serves as the president of Schindler Visa Services. He is a Licensee in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC). Oleg Schindler is an experienced immigration consultant in Ottawa as he is an immigrant himself. He moved to Canada as an international student and went all the way from being in Canada on a study permit to becoming a permanent resident and an immigration consultant.

Book an Individual Consultation with Oleg today!

The consultation can be carried out in the form of a phone call or video call. The cost of the consultation will be deducted from the total amount payable if we sign the retainer agreement.